Kaos
29-Nov-2006, 01:11 PM
http://www.pyrofersprojects.com/win%20v%20lin.php
Windows Users vs Linux Users
A few weeks ago I decided to enter the exciting world of Linux for the first time. My enthusiasm was sparked by MythTV, a great open source Digital TV/PVR package that I thought could save me from buying an expensive digital receiver and HDD recorder.
As MythTV is a Linux only program, I had to download Linux in order to run it. As a long time computer enthusiast I had heard a lot about Linux, so decided that a ready made .iso image should make things simple. How wrong I was!
When I first encountered trouble I wasn't worried, as I'd heard all about the wonderful free support you can get for open source software. You've all heard about this right? You can just ask those wonderful, friendly Linux people for their help, and they will provide it because thats the nature of open source.
This article represents the results of my experience in trying to get Linux and MythTV working. I never did get it fully functioning, despite spending several weeks, and spending a lot of money on new hardware to match the "known good config". However what is most interesting is not the difference between commercial and open source software, but in the differences between the users, and in their attitudes when you attempt to obtain help.
So, here is my guide to "Windows Users vs Linux Users". Each statement is based on true events from my own experience and illustrate what I had to endure in venturing along the path towards Linux enlightenment.
1) Windows Users: Use their PC in order to do something.
Linux Users: Do something in order to use their PC.
Example - I asked two people what they did with their PC last night. The Windows user said, "I logged on via wireless to check train times on my laptop: it took about 15 minutes." The Linux user said, "In order to use wireless I recompiled my kernal to include the latest 2.6 patches to allow 802.1x security to work with the latest drivers for my wireless card. It was gone 2am when I finished so I didnt actualy connect or do anything online afterwards though."
2) Windows Users: Provide a .exe file to run.
Linux Users: Provide a multiply compressed .tar.gz file that needs a particular compresion program to open, containing .patch files to source code that you need to download from somewhere else and use somebody else's script to apply the patch before ./configuring the make command in order to compile the source (hours of waiting) before you can install the program.
3) Windows Users: Tell you the full path to C:/windows/system/system32/file.dll
Linux Users: Will hint at the name of the file and expect you to have memorised the entire directory structure and know every single file in every folder and be clever enough to guess at the location the file name they hinted at should be installed to while completing the exact name.
4) Windows Users: Work with a GUI that makes it easy: simple and obvious to do all their common tasks. Sometimes more advanced users/problems require a command prompt. Linux Users: Work almost entirely in a command prompt with non-intuitive structure and arbitrary commands to perform abstract tasks that relate mainly to coaxing the OS into being able to perform any task whatsoever - normally involving recompiling something.
5) Windows Users: Use their GUI and avoid the command line.
Linux Users: Show off their l33t skillz with the command line and only use the GUI when they need to prove that Linux can do something that they just saw a Windows user do (but only after 2 hours of compiling source code first).
6) Windows Users: Spend 85% of their time working,10% of it rebooting/recovering and 5% maintaining the OS.
Linux Users: Spend 5% of their time working, 10% rebooting/recovering, 85% maintaining the OS and compiling source.
BTW, of that "working" time, they spend 90% of it posting in forums, stating how sad Windows (l)users are, or arguing about which obscure build of Linux is the greatest, and how sad the (l)users using any other version of Linux are.
7) Windows Users: Will tell you the answer if they know it, or say "I don't know" if they don't.
Linux Users: Will say "RTFM" if they know the answer, or "Google it you idiot!" if they don't.
8) Linux Users: Think their OS is superior because they get the source code to the OS and compile their own kernal, can patch their own problems and write their own drivers, while Windows users just have to use what is provided and never get to compile anything.
Windows Users: Think their OS is superior for the exact same reasons.
Copyright 2006, Pyrofer
Don't get me wrong, I have much respect for Linux. But this guys take on it is entirely true. Linux is not ready for mainstream home PC use.
Windows Users vs Linux Users
A few weeks ago I decided to enter the exciting world of Linux for the first time. My enthusiasm was sparked by MythTV, a great open source Digital TV/PVR package that I thought could save me from buying an expensive digital receiver and HDD recorder.
As MythTV is a Linux only program, I had to download Linux in order to run it. As a long time computer enthusiast I had heard a lot about Linux, so decided that a ready made .iso image should make things simple. How wrong I was!
When I first encountered trouble I wasn't worried, as I'd heard all about the wonderful free support you can get for open source software. You've all heard about this right? You can just ask those wonderful, friendly Linux people for their help, and they will provide it because thats the nature of open source.
This article represents the results of my experience in trying to get Linux and MythTV working. I never did get it fully functioning, despite spending several weeks, and spending a lot of money on new hardware to match the "known good config". However what is most interesting is not the difference between commercial and open source software, but in the differences between the users, and in their attitudes when you attempt to obtain help.
So, here is my guide to "Windows Users vs Linux Users". Each statement is based on true events from my own experience and illustrate what I had to endure in venturing along the path towards Linux enlightenment.
1) Windows Users: Use their PC in order to do something.
Linux Users: Do something in order to use their PC.
Example - I asked two people what they did with their PC last night. The Windows user said, "I logged on via wireless to check train times on my laptop: it took about 15 minutes." The Linux user said, "In order to use wireless I recompiled my kernal to include the latest 2.6 patches to allow 802.1x security to work with the latest drivers for my wireless card. It was gone 2am when I finished so I didnt actualy connect or do anything online afterwards though."
2) Windows Users: Provide a .exe file to run.
Linux Users: Provide a multiply compressed .tar.gz file that needs a particular compresion program to open, containing .patch files to source code that you need to download from somewhere else and use somebody else's script to apply the patch before ./configuring the make command in order to compile the source (hours of waiting) before you can install the program.
3) Windows Users: Tell you the full path to C:/windows/system/system32/file.dll
Linux Users: Will hint at the name of the file and expect you to have memorised the entire directory structure and know every single file in every folder and be clever enough to guess at the location the file name they hinted at should be installed to while completing the exact name.
4) Windows Users: Work with a GUI that makes it easy: simple and obvious to do all their common tasks. Sometimes more advanced users/problems require a command prompt. Linux Users: Work almost entirely in a command prompt with non-intuitive structure and arbitrary commands to perform abstract tasks that relate mainly to coaxing the OS into being able to perform any task whatsoever - normally involving recompiling something.
5) Windows Users: Use their GUI and avoid the command line.
Linux Users: Show off their l33t skillz with the command line and only use the GUI when they need to prove that Linux can do something that they just saw a Windows user do (but only after 2 hours of compiling source code first).
6) Windows Users: Spend 85% of their time working,10% of it rebooting/recovering and 5% maintaining the OS.
Linux Users: Spend 5% of their time working, 10% rebooting/recovering, 85% maintaining the OS and compiling source.
BTW, of that "working" time, they spend 90% of it posting in forums, stating how sad Windows (l)users are, or arguing about which obscure build of Linux is the greatest, and how sad the (l)users using any other version of Linux are.
7) Windows Users: Will tell you the answer if they know it, or say "I don't know" if they don't.
Linux Users: Will say "RTFM" if they know the answer, or "Google it you idiot!" if they don't.
8) Linux Users: Think their OS is superior because they get the source code to the OS and compile their own kernal, can patch their own problems and write their own drivers, while Windows users just have to use what is provided and never get to compile anything.
Windows Users: Think their OS is superior for the exact same reasons.
Copyright 2006, Pyrofer
Don't get me wrong, I have much respect for Linux. But this guys take on it is entirely true. Linux is not ready for mainstream home PC use.