Hello,
I'm totally newbie to linux. I've been to some site that discuss linux vs windows. I have decided to install linux to my laptop and may have one computer (in the office) in linux to test it, before really deciding on major things. Allow me to share some things that I think are important.
I am here to discuss not to debate. I want things resolved to feel confident about any decisions that I come up in the end. And any decisions that I've made must be from objective reasoning and importantly, not carried by hype.
1) "The linux is an OS with multiple variations."
This is frustrating because which linux is linux and which linux is not linux. I've read that they all have the same kernel but is it really the same? Is Red Hat's kernel (with patch) still the same kernel with SOT Linux, BSD, and the likes? Which linux is secure and which is not?
Is there not a linux kernel organization - like W3C - to make things sane? The work of the organization is to ensure one standard kernel.
Recommendation: If Linux want to be serious contender of any OS then the community must make immediate standardization and pull all resources together rather than implement ad hoc standards and create their own path that may not be fully compatible from others.
2) Compatibility of Applications
With different implementation of the kernel what makes me sure that all applications (i mean ALL, not majority) that runs in BSD can run in other implementation of Linux?
(Sometimes I'm having some - stupid i guess - thought of a JAVA Based OS. All programs are in classes because applications are expected to run anywhere).
Recommendation: Linux Kernel Organization, is there?
3) Productivity Tools (Office)
Now we come to features of applications; specifically productivity tools. Are the productivity tools in linux stand closer to those of Windows or Macs?
Winx emulators can run MSOffice but I want to dish Windows Application. I mean, null. So, cross platform solution is not acceptable for me (IMO).
The Open office site I visitied states the spreadsheet program have to be improved to accept more rows. I dunno about StarOffice but it seems to be commercial product.
This is one of the issues that make me hesitate to do full consideration of linux.
Recommendation: Linux community must really unite to come up with serious applications. I mean, applications with full packed features or better yet each feature is a plug-in to the product. Object-oriented approach (am I really making sense here?
). forgive me.
4) Ease of Use
As a server administrator I would consider linux for its security. But if maintenance gives a headache then I may dump it for other OS with costumizable settings through GUI.
Not all server administrators are programmers (in the real world). GUI does not make any user dumb it simply make their job easier and do it intuitively. And, if the Admin wants to edit the file setting then the GUI will simply load and show the settings.
I do not hate the CLI or console mode but it must only be an option. CLI mode is good for limited resource. In the real world a computers can now stack a lot of ram - 512 MB or more and even run in GigaHertz
(back my younger days in 640Kb and, was that 40 khz or mhz?) . Speed and Memory requirement is a minor issue IMO.
Reliability, security would be the first factor in considering any server OS, IMO.
But what if Reliability and Security can be had with Win or Mac OS? would you still use one that requires opening file for settings and running /a /? or -h -f in CLI or one that lets you do things easily and intuitively? Time is gold and Life is precious I want to feel life rather than stare the monitor for locating files in CLI. (Hmmm, then why am I a programmer in profession? he-he-he)
I can work with switches but, honestly speaking, after a month not using the program I would be forced to look at the switches again. Take for example, UNZIP and PKUnZIP for DOS good software but a GUI Version would be better because you do not need to memorize or determine the switches you should use. And, most of the time I do not spend a lot of time memorizing and determining all the switches only those I need at the moment. If I want some new things done I have to check the switches again and ,alas, it may no may not be there.
Recommendation: Ease of Use must be address in linux. With the number of linux desktop out there - we go back to standardization issue again.
5)Future Path
What is the future path of Linux? As, a newbie i dunno but with the number of variations it is really hard to pinpoint where Linux is going from here? (It all depends on the linux you are using I think.)
If the linux community is only out there to bash Win OS or Mac Os then it can simply be considered as a second alternative. It will simply be following the path of the one being imitated or contested.
What if the linux I downloaded now becomes a second best in the future? I have to download another variation and simply accept its limitations. I've no choice but to accept even if the feature I love from one variation cannot be found in the new.
Of course, I have the option to change the source code but I'd rather create applications for business for my costumer (i.e. inventory, payroll) to earn a living (and may support the Open Source Foundation) than debug an OS. I'm not against open source, in fact, i'm developing one for the future but the downside is --- it's in VB6 -- will M$ sue me for that? (Gosh I really haven't read the EULA. It's a waste of time. I hope there's no demonic allegiance written in there.
)
Recommendations: There must be strong solid future direction for linux. But this cannot happen and it cannot evolve into a futuristic operating system unless solid standardization have been set. It's a reliable, solid, secure OS as I've been told and it would be a dismay to know the future plans and path are dim. If developers of these variations have united their effort I believe Linux would have gone farther in features than Windows or Mac OS.
If that have happened --- would it still be free?
nbjayme
I would love to hear your opinions please send them to [mail]bimcompany@hotmail.com[/mail]