The downsides of Linux

[lazygamer]

No matter what Linux has against it, I doubt it has anything to make it not worth switching to(from Wind0ze anyways).

Still, we need to be honest and present REAL reasons why Linux sucks, or at least semi-sucks. None of this XP loo-sah BS, im talking about real issues, problems, quirks and blahs that everyone(or alot of people) must put up with to rock the house with Linux.

So were not talking too much about pros or disadvantages here. Anything Linux VS Win 9X issues mentioned must either be:

Linux is worse then Windows in this respect
Linux is equal to Windows in this respect
Linux is somewhat better then Windows in this respect, but the issue/disadvantage/problem still exsists.

So get talking. Oh and disregard what XP loo-sah says. Im sure he will have PLENTY to say.  

[Master of Reality]

I really like using the console to do everything. I dont like having to search through windows and menus for configurations and stuff, but... There is a few things that the GUI's (not Linux) could/should put in for Graphic configuration for newbs to use. Stuff like the resolution and colour depth... those are the only two i can think of, because i use command line for as many things as possible.

On another note: I was thinking about rightin' up a thing like 'The death of a thousand strings' to compare win98 versus RH Linux with KDE 3...(depends on how lazy i am)

[slave]

quote: Oh and disregard what XP loo-sah says. Im sure he will have PLENTY to say.

 
Hahahahahahahahahhahah
 
Some of the many flaws of Linux:
 
Linux's development model has a critical advantage over Windows's development model.  Since Linux isn't controlled by a single entity, we have Linux fragmenting into competing distributions which creates inconsistency.  (GNOME and KDE for instance)
 
Linux is definitely ahead of where Windows is on the desktop front, and it is doubtful windows will ever catch up.
 
Adding and removing programs in Linux is easy, since there are no consistant install/uninstall programs such as under Windows.
Configuring hardware under Linux is also a hassle.  To illustrate this, let us look at the steps required to install nvidia's geforce drivers under Windows and then Linux.
 
Windows:
 
Download the appropriate driver package for your version of windows.
Double click the program, hit next a few times.
Reboot.
 
Linux:
Download the RPM...
Install the RPM.
 
Linux has good commercial desktop support.  When it comes to graphics and video editing, web page design, 3d modeling, and office programs, the support just is great with programs like mozilla composer and sun staroffice, koffice, abiword, gimp, gNumeric, Dia, ect, ect and you're happy with brilliant open source alternatives.
 
Finally, especially from the price, there is lots Linux offers that Windows doesn't.  The fact is, people don't mind paying for something if it's worth it, and that's why Linux doesn't overtake Windows is a expensive and but crappy product.

[EDIT: Had to cencor our properganda, just had too, its my job in life]

[ July 05, 2002: Message edited by: Ex Eleven / b0b ]

[ July 05, 2002: Message edited by: Ex Eleven / b0b ]

[Master of Reality]

well... that was quit a lot of words for such a lowly creature, but it didnt really tell us anything. Next you will be bitching about binary because it gives you too many options.

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: Master of Reality / Bob ]

[voidmain]

Damn, everything XP Luser said is a + for Linux in my book.  Frankly, I am glad there are choices in GUIs and distros.  Some people like Gnome, some people like KDE, some people like WindowMaker, some people like, FVWM, some people like BlackBox, some people like Lesstiff, some people like Openlook, some people like Mandrake, some people like SuSe, some people like RedHat, some people like Debian, some people like ELX, some people like Slackware.  Hmmm, I have a choice.

And you don't have to reboot when you install the Nvidia drivers dumb ass.  You only have to reboot in Windows.

[lazygamer]

Ok well is this true everyone? Does it hold true for all distros? What about some of the more users friendly/compatible ones.

Also, it doesn't seem hard to do. I mean if your just typing a few command line things that's ok. Now the question is, do you have less chance of incompatibility or bugs using your NVIDIA installation compared to the Windows one?

[Master of Reality]

you dont have to redboot any distro of linux. You dont even have to edit the Xfree86 file in most. Just need to run Xconfigurator. I havent used Nvidia, so i cant comment any further on it.

[voidmain]

I have the Geforce2 and I bet it took all of 30 seconds to download and install the RPMS.  Gee, wonder how long it takes most Windows Lusers after their system throws up all over them with the BSOD?

[choasforages]

comercial desktop, try ximain, you cocksucker. are you stupid or what, haven't you caught the drift that your not wanted, o and comerical support. try pro-e,

[Master of Reality]

pro-e?? what is that?

[choasforages]

i think its a very very expensive cad solution

[Master of Reality]

I know someone who uses that in windows with a couple GB of RAM at work, and complains about it all the time.

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: Master of Reality / Bob ]

[Sleeping Dog]

Shall we put this discussion into historical analogy?

Windows is like living under Stalin in 1940's Russia.  You do things wrong....you die.  You do things right....you die.

MAC's are like living under Hitler in 1940's Germany.  "You will do things our way...or you will simply not do them."

Linux is like 1940's America.  We are free...We are open to everyone....we don't do everything as good as you other people in this world yet, but DAMN, give us a good war and we will get over this depression.

My apologies for the analogies.

Sleeping Dog

[Master of Reality]

I think Linux is more like Canada... there isnt that much crime in the Linux world and there is even more freedom in canada. I could have proven my point better if i could have found a link to a certain place.

[para_fms]

Originally posted by Windows XP User #5225982375:

 
Since Linux isn't controlled by a single entity, we have Linux fragmenting into competing distributions which creates inconsistency.  We also see redundant projects in Linux (GNOME and KDE for instance)

hmmm. i'm pretty dog-on new to linux, but that sounds to me like "freedom of choice", something i happen to be rather fond of rather than having WinXP, IE6 and MSM forcefully shoved down my throat.
 
Linux is definitely not where Windows is on the desktop front, and it is doubtful it will ever catch up.

...your point being?
 
Some problems with desktop Linux:
 
Adding and removing programs in Linux is a chore, since there are no consistant install/uninstall programs such as under Windows.

well, i expect to get bombed for this one, but i i agree. not with install/uninstall necessarily, rather i'm wondering WHY IN THE HELL, in the 21st century, we even need to deal with a command line in day to day operations? this is something i have a hard time grasping about linux. 2 mouse clicks is faster than dealing with a keyboard and command line, so what's the point? yes, i WANT the command line functionality for whenever and whatever i want to use it for, but why the hell does linux seem to depend on it so much for trivial operations that could be handled far faster with a GUI? that's the whole point of a GUI, is it not? to paint a pretty interface and make things faster. why waste time at a command line? my time is valuable to me.

Finally, aside from the price, there is nothing Linux offers that Windows doesn't.  The fact is, people don't mind paying for something if it's worth it, and that's why Linux doesn't overtake Windows; it's a free but crappy product.

fact: wrong wrong wrong! *MARKETING* is exactly why MS is far in the lead as far as desktops go. you put the shoe on the other foot and it would be wintendo that'd be left in the dust - long, long, LONG ago. the cabooses follow the engine, and the engine is piloted by MS. you go right ahead and be a caboose if ya want.