Sell me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* Matt:

>>> There is
>>> always a set of users on the edge of being able to get their work done
>>> with Linux. The more computers running Linux, the faster people develop
>>> new apps that advance that edge. Is this somehow controversial?
>>
>> So how does another say 5000 new Linux computers running OpenOffice
>> help to develop new software for Linux?
>
> That's a silly question.
>
> Besides, we are talking about migrations of hundreds of thousands, not
> thousands.

Ok. Then tell me how do another say 500000 new Linux computers running
OpenOffice help to develop new software for Linux?

The question is valid because that's what the majority of Linux desktops
you mentioned are used for: generic office tasks.

Benjamin

[Ext User(Matt)]

Benjamin Gawert wrote:
> * Matt:
>
>>>> There is
>>>> always a set of users on the edge of being able to get their work done
>>>> with Linux. The more computers running Linux, the faster people
>>>> develop
>>>> new apps that advance that edge. Is this somehow controversial?
>>>
>>> So how does another say 5000 new Linux computers running OpenOffice
>>> help to develop new software for Linux?
>>
>> That's a silly question.
>>
>> Besides, we are talking about migrations of hundreds of thousands, not
>> thousands.
>
> Ok. Then tell me how do another say 500000 new Linux computers running
> OpenOffice help to develop new software for Linux?
>
> The question is valid because that's what the majority of Linux desktops
> you mentioned are used for: generic office tasks.
>
> Benjamin


It is a silly question for one desktop or a million. But the question
is more than a million times sillier for a million desktops than it is
for one desktop. If you still don't understand, say so, and I will give
a less cryptic answer. Really, though, you ought to be able to give the
answer yourself.

[Ext User(Matt)]

Benjamin Gawert wrote:
> * Matt:
>
>>>> There is
>>>> always a set of users on the edge of being able to get their work done
>>>> with Linux. The more computers running Linux, the faster people
>>>> develop
>>>> new apps that advance that edge. Is this somehow controversial?
>>>
>>> So how does another say 5000 new Linux computers running OpenOffice
>>> help to develop new software for Linux?
>>
>> That's a silly question.
>>
>> Besides, we are talking about migrations of hundreds of thousands, not
>> thousands.
>
> Ok. Then tell me how do another say 500000 new Linux computers running
> OpenOffice help to develop new software for Linux?
>
> The question is valid because that's what the majority of Linux desktops
> you mentioned are used for: generic office tasks.
>
> Benjamin


It is a silly question for one desktop or a million. But the question
is more than a million times sillier for a million desktops than it is
for one desktop. If you still don't understand, say so, and I will give
a less cryptic answer. Really, though, you ought to be able to give the
answer yourself.

[Ext User(Matt)]

Benjamin Gawert wrote:
> * Matt:
>
>>> Not to forget that the Linux community with it's very small market
>>> share in the desktop computing world really needs these press
>>> releases while Microsoft with it's huge market share doesn't.
>>
>>
>> When I see Russia putting Linux on all its school computers or Brazil
>> doing the same thing, I think of it as something more than a "press
>> release".
>
> Unfortunately you don't think of the magnitude more schools that use
> cheap MS software. So for you the few occasions where someone moves to
> Linux on the desktop might seem to you like a big change, however in
> real life it's just insignificant.
>
> Benjamin


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative

> In calculus, a branch of mathematics, the derivative is a measurement of how a function changes when the values of its inputs change. Loosely speaking, a derivative can be thought of as how much a quantity is changing at some given point. For example, the derivative of the position or distance of a car at some point in time is the instantaneous velocity, or instantaneous speed (respectively), at which that car is traveling (conversely the integral of the velocity is the car's position).
>
> A closely related notion is the differential of a function.


According to the following site, Linux usage as measured by browser hits
has roughly doubled in the past year. Meanwhile, Windows has lost about
2.5 percent of its usage share and Mac is up one third. If that were
true, would you say it was insignificant?

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=9

[Ext User(Matt)]

Benjamin Gawert wrote:
> * Matt:
>
>>> Not to forget that the Linux community with it's very small market
>>> share in the desktop computing world really needs these press
>>> releases while Microsoft with it's huge market share doesn't.
>>
>>
>> When I see Russia putting Linux on all its school computers or Brazil
>> doing the same thing, I think of it as something more than a "press
>> release".
>
> Unfortunately you don't think of the magnitude more schools that use
> cheap MS software. So for you the few occasions where someone moves to
> Linux on the desktop might seem to you like a big change, however in
> real life it's just insignificant.
>
> Benjamin


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative

> In calculus, a branch of mathematics, the derivative is a measurement of how a function changes when the values of its inputs change. Loosely speaking, a derivative can be thought of as how much a quantity is changing at some given point. For example, the derivative of the position or distance of a car at some point in time is the instantaneous velocity, or instantaneous speed (respectively), at which that car is traveling (conversely the integral of the velocity is the car's position).
>
> A closely related notion is the differential of a function.


According to the following site, Linux usage as measured by browser hits
has roughly doubled in the past year. Meanwhile, Windows has lost about
2.5 percent of its usage share and Mac is up one third. If that were
true, would you say it was insignificant?

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=9

[Ext User(meatnub)]

On Jun 17, 2:46*pm, livefree75 <jpittm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> <eom>

You should be asking for people to sell you on Vista.

Who cares about linux unless you're a tool and love to brag about how
you are able to run it.

After suffering with Windows for decades, Vista finally is the
flawless and perfect OS for me. Installed it last July and haven't
reinstalled yet. No crashes, no bullshit. Turn on, do my thing (play
games, edit home videos, etc.). Log off. Done. No problems. No
worries. No headaches.

[Ext User(meatnub)]

On Jun 17, 2:46*pm, livefree75 <jpittm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> <eom>

You should be asking for people to sell you on Vista.

Who cares about linux unless you're a tool and love to brag about how
you are able to run it.

After suffering with Windows for decades, Vista finally is the
flawless and perfect OS for me. Installed it last July and haven't
reinstalled yet. No crashes, no bullshit. Turn on, do my thing (play
games, edit home videos, etc.). Log off. Done. No problems. No
worries. No headaches.

[Ext User(Jim)]

On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:

> That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use, modify,
> etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder to do
> everything.
>

Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title "Sell
me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".

Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off. Why
should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.

So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming. But then
isn't that what the PS2 and Wii are all about?

FWIW I'm a very satisfied PCLinuxOS 2007 user.

[Ext User(Jim)]

On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:

> That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use, modify,
> etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder to do
> everything.
>

Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title "Sell
me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".

Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off. Why
should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.

So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming. But then
isn't that what the PS2 and Wii are all about?

FWIW I'm a very satisfied PCLinuxOS 2007 user.

[Ext User(nobody)]

On 2008-07-05, Jim <chief_jim@go.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:
>
>> That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use, modify,
>> etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder to do
>> everything.
>>
>
> Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title "Sell
> me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".
>
> Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off. Why
> should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.
>
> So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming. But then
> isn't that what the PS2 and Wii are all about?
>
> FWIW I'm a very satisfied PCLinuxOS 2007 user.
>

The trolls are still trolling; like "pc vs mac" in another cross-group.
the mac os is now a variant of unix/linux/bsd type os.

Some people should look at the newsgroups list on their computers sometime &
do a scan for "linux"; they may be surprised at how many phony newsgroups
the windows people created that is just a slam on linux. probably done
by some certified m$ mvp(rofessionals).

[Ext User(nobody)]

On 2008-07-05, Jim <chief_jim@go.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:
>
>> That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use, modify,
>> etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder to do
>> everything.
>>
>
> Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title "Sell
> me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".
>
> Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off. Why
> should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.
>
> So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming. But then
> isn't that what the PS2 and Wii are all about?
>
> FWIW I'm a very satisfied PCLinuxOS 2007 user.
>

The trolls are still trolling; like "pc vs mac" in another cross-group.
the mac os is now a variant of unix/linux/bsd type os.

Some people should look at the newsgroups list on their computers sometime &
do a scan for "linux"; they may be surprised at how many phony newsgroups
the windows people created that is just a slam on linux. probably done
by some certified m$ mvp(rofessionals).

[Ext User(John Doe)]

Jim <chief_jim go.com> wrote:

> On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:
>
>> That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use,
>> modify, etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder
>> to do everything.

If that weren't just a never-ending fairy tale, you would have no
reason to sell Linux here.

> Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title
> "Sell me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".
>
> Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off.
> Why should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.

Preferably not in a group like this one where the vast majority are
Windows users, troll.

> So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming.

Because you live in a closet and wear blinders.

Linux Lunatics are like spammers forever selling stuff nobody needs
or cares about.











>
>
>
> Path: flpi141.ffdc.sbc.com!flpi088.ffdc.sbc.com!prodigy. com!flpi089.ffdc.sbc.com!prodigy.net!pd7cy1no!pd7c y2no!pd7cy5no!shaw.ca!nx01.iad01.newshosting.com!n ewshosting.com!69.16.185.51.MISMATCH!tmp-post01.iad!news.highwinds-media.com!news.cv.net!not-for-mail
> From: Jim <chief_jim go.com>
> Subject: Re: Sell me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro
> Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
> References: <43298694-a1de-4a46-95b5-1e678246ff48 c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com> <6c6oqpF3e74tqU1 mid.individual.net> <UUy7k.12853$4f6.4227 fe107.usenetserver.com> <20080622190110.58b7c416.noway nohow.not> <S_B7k.6845$fX5.5137 fe109.usenetserver.com> <6ccp0eF3gcp28U2 mid.individual.net> <20080624235839.3259174a.noway nohow.not>
> User-Agent: Pan/0.132 (Waxed in Black)
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
> Date: 05 Jul 2008 00:48:18 GMT
> Lines: 18
> Message-ID: <486ec4d2$0$7359$607ed4bc cv.net>
> Organization: Optimum Online
> NNTP-Posting-Host: 69.112.25.63
> X-Complaints-To: abuse cv.net
> Xref: prodigy.net alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt:508235
> X-Received-Date: Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:46:19 EDT (flpi141.ffdc.sbc.com)
>

[Ext User(John Doe)]

Jim <chief_jim go.com> wrote:

> On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:
>
>> That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use,
>> modify, etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder
>> to do everything.

If that weren't just a never-ending fairy tale, you would have no
reason to sell Linux here.

> Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title
> "Sell me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".
>
> Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off.
> Why should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.

Preferably not in a group like this one where the vast majority are
Windows users, troll.

> So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming.

Because you live in a closet and wear blinders.

Linux Lunatics are like spammers forever selling stuff nobody needs
or cares about.











>
>
>
> Path: flpi141.ffdc.sbc.com!flpi088.ffdc.sbc.com!prodigy. com!flpi089.ffdc.sbc.com!prodigy.net!pd7cy1no!pd7c y2no!pd7cy5no!shaw.ca!nx01.iad01.newshosting.com!n ewshosting.com!69.16.185.51.MISMATCH!tmp-post01.iad!news.highwinds-media.com!news.cv.net!not-for-mail
> From: Jim <chief_jim go.com>
> Subject: Re: Sell me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro
> Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
> References: <43298694-a1de-4a46-95b5-1e678246ff48 c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com> <6c6oqpF3e74tqU1 mid.individual.net> <UUy7k.12853$4f6.4227 fe107.usenetserver.com> <20080622190110.58b7c416.noway nohow.not> <S_B7k.6845$fX5.5137 fe109.usenetserver.com> <6ccp0eF3gcp28U2 mid.individual.net> <20080624235839.3259174a.noway nohow.not>
> User-Agent: Pan/0.132 (Waxed in Black)
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
> Date: 05 Jul 2008 00:48:18 GMT
> Lines: 18
> Message-ID: <486ec4d2$0$7359$607ed4bc cv.net>
> Organization: Optimum Online
> NNTP-Posting-Host: 69.112.25.63
> X-Complaints-To: abuse cv.net
> Xref: prodigy.net alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt:508235
> X-Received-Date: Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:46:19 EDT (flpi141.ffdc.sbc.com)
>

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* Matt:

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative

So you want to tell me you didn't know what "derivative" means and that
you had to look it up?

> According to the following site, Linux usage as measured by browser hits
> has roughly doubled in the past year. Meanwhile, Windows has lost about
> 2.5 percent of its usage share and Mac is up one third. If that were
> true, would you say it was insignificant?
>
> http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=9

Yeah, right, browser hits statistics. It's no rocket science to know why
these statistics are pointless as they never ever show anything close
representative. The results are affected by the kind and number of web
sites that were analyzed, and today with lots of people changing their
browser ID strings (my windows browsers easily can look like
Mozilla/Linux, Safair/Mac OX or Konqueror or whatever to the web server)
these statistics are just BS.

All this statistics shows you what ID strings were feed back to the web
server of the handful sites that they analyzed.

Benjamin

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* Matt:

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative

So you want to tell me you didn't know what "derivative" means and that
you had to look it up?

> According to the following site, Linux usage as measured by browser hits
> has roughly doubled in the past year. Meanwhile, Windows has lost about
> 2.5 percent of its usage share and Mac is up one third. If that were
> true, would you say it was insignificant?
>
> http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=9

Yeah, right, browser hits statistics. It's no rocket science to know why
these statistics are pointless as they never ever show anything close
representative. The results are affected by the kind and number of web
sites that were analyzed, and today with lots of people changing their
browser ID strings (my windows browsers easily can look like
Mozilla/Linux, Safair/Mac OX or Konqueror or whatever to the web server)
these statistics are just BS.

All this statistics shows you what ID strings were feed back to the web
server of the handful sites that they analyzed.

Benjamin

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* Matt:

>> Ok. Then tell me how do another say 500000 new Linux computers running
>> OpenOffice help to develop new software for Linux?
>>
>> The question is valid because that's what the majority of Linux
>> desktops you mentioned are used for: generic office tasks.
>
> It is a silly question for one desktop or a million. But the question
> is more than a million times sillier for a million desktops than it is
> for one desktop. If you still don't understand, say so, and I will give
> a less cryptic answer. Really, though, you ought to be able to give the
> answer yourself.

So in short you don't have a damn clue. Well, can't say I didn't expect
that since your view seems to be quite limited.

So for you: yes, there is an answer, and the answer is that doesn't
help. FYI: new software gets usually created out of a demand. New office
PCs, no matter what OS they run, don't lead to a demand, simply because
the necessary software (in this case OOo) is already there.

I really suggest you go out and learn something about how corporates
work and see how their decisions are driven, you will be surprised. And
if you learned about that come back and tell us again how companies
deploying office PCs running Linux will be revolutionary to the home user.

EOT

Benjamin

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* Matt:

>> Ok. Then tell me how do another say 500000 new Linux computers running
>> OpenOffice help to develop new software for Linux?
>>
>> The question is valid because that's what the majority of Linux
>> desktops you mentioned are used for: generic office tasks.
>
> It is a silly question for one desktop or a million. But the question
> is more than a million times sillier for a million desktops than it is
> for one desktop. If you still don't understand, say so, and I will give
> a less cryptic answer. Really, though, you ought to be able to give the
> answer yourself.

So in short you don't have a damn clue. Well, can't say I didn't expect
that since your view seems to be quite limited.

So for you: yes, there is an answer, and the answer is that doesn't
help. FYI: new software gets usually created out of a demand. New office
PCs, no matter what OS they run, don't lead to a demand, simply because
the necessary software (in this case OOo) is already there.

I really suggest you go out and learn something about how corporates
work and see how their decisions are driven, you will be surprised. And
if you learned about that come back and tell us again how companies
deploying office PCs running Linux will be revolutionary to the home user.

EOT

Benjamin

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* meatnub:

> After suffering with Windows for decades, Vista finally is the
> flawless and perfect OS for me. Installed it last July and haven't
> reinstalled yet. No crashes, no bullshit. Turn on, do my thing (play
> games, edit home videos, etc.). Log off. Done. No problems. No
> worries. No headaches.

Except that I never suffered with Windows (but then I never used the
DOS-based Win9x/ME versions but NT instead) I can second that. Vista
runs rock-solid here.

Benjamin

[Ext User(Benjamin Gawert)]

* meatnub:

> After suffering with Windows for decades, Vista finally is the
> flawless and perfect OS for me. Installed it last July and haven't
> reinstalled yet. No crashes, no bullshit. Turn on, do my thing (play
> games, edit home videos, etc.). Log off. Done. No problems. No
> worries. No headaches.

Except that I never suffered with Windows (but then I never used the
DOS-based Win9x/ME versions but NT instead) I can second that. Vista
runs rock-solid here.

Benjamin

[Ext User(Dave)]

On 05 Jul 2008 00:48:18 GMT
Jim <chief_jim@go.com> wrote:

> On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:39 +0800, Dave wrote:
>
> > That is, linux is getting easier to install, configure, use, modify,
> > etc. Meanwhile, windows keeps regressing, getting harder to do
> > everything.
> >
>
> Dave, this thread has been quite amusing. Starting with the title
> "Sell me on why I should use Linux instead of Windows XP Pro".
>
> Perhaps the time has come where a new thread should be spun off. Why
> should I use any Windows OS instead of Linux?.

I'm an EX IT Manager who managed somehow to marry a woman who knows
like literally nothing about computers. At various times over the
years we've been together, I have set up her system to run linux for
her. I've never had to explain to her how to use it, linux is just
intuitive enough.

Recently, I was talking with her about buying one of those Asus eeepc
(or however you spell it) ultra portable thingies for myself for use on
the road. After I'd described it to her, she said that SHE wanted one.
I reminded her that it runs linux. Now she REALLY wants one, because it
runs linux!

It's just interesting to me that someone who knows nothing about
computers (like the average computer user, ha ha) has played around
with linux just enough to conclude that linux is a GOOD thing. :)

Now watch someone respond, "yeah, but YOU install linux for her". That
would be a good point, except that the last time I installed linux on a
hard drive, it took less than five minutes. That is with all hardware
components and peripherals working correctly and all applications
installed and working correctly and working cooperatively. Most
reading this should KNOW how long it would take to get a computer to a
similar setup point starting with installing any version of Microsoft
Windows. You'd work all weekend on it and still be scratching your
head on Monday. That's assuming you had half a clue to start with, ha
ha. :)

If people like my wife start loving linux, Microsoft is simply DONE.
Stick a fork in em...

>
> So far the strongest arguments I've read center around gaming.

Yup. All we need is a few major games software publishers to start
porting to linux. Then kiss Mickeysoft bye-bye. -Dave