Got your attention, didn't it?
This is the type of nonsense people try to drum up readers for an article with. Just to get folks riled up.
"The Year of..." is ridiculous in general. It's also very relative.
For some people, Linux has been desktop ready for their needs for several years now.
For others, it has quite a ways to go, mostly in terms of some specialty hardware or an app they make specific and heavy use of that hasn't been made available in the Linux world yet.
One of the most contentious aspects of these types of articles and posts is that somehow Linux is meant to be 'competitive' with other companies and Operating Systems.
In a few responses to these posts, I have said, and I maintain, that Linux, in and of itself, is a product and creation of the global Linux development community.
It is self serving. Essentially, the development community, which 'makes' Linux, is more scholastic and perhaps even narcissistic in that it only exists to take care of itself. To improve upon itself. No other company or OS really matters in this aspect.
There are some companies, who, because Linux is 'free' and OpenSource, have taken it upon themselves to create a Linux based product and have entered themselves and that product into the competitive market.
Novell, RedHat and Canonical come to mind first, though there are others.
When one looks at the concerns of the Linux development community and the concerns of these companies using Linux as a basis for their product, the interests and priorities do not always mesh. In fact, they sometimes run completely counter of each other.
Linus Torvalds, I think, said it best when he replied when asked about Linux 'beating' Microsoft Windows that it was not his interest or intention to 'beat' Windows, it will be a completely coincidental happening.
Of course, that is not an exact quote, but it gets the meaning across.
The man who started Linux, isn't interested in 'competing' with commercial Operating Systems. He just wants to make Linux be the best it can be. If it happens to end up better than some other software, that is not on purpose, just a happy coincidence.
To be reasonable about this, it isn't very likely the marketshare MS Windows currently enjoys would be able to be replicated, even by MS itself in these consumer watchdog times.
If MS were starting from ground zero, like some of these companies pushing a Linux based product are now, the contracts and tactics they employed in the pioneering 80's aren't to be found today.
This is a very litigious society, people are on the lookout for the next company they can sue out of existence for any slightest show of misconduct or legal mis-step.
Remember those 'fan-boys' we discussed in the last article? It is many of those types of folks who perpetuate these "my dog is better than your dog" articles and headings to get someone else's goat.
I approach Linux and most software from a technicians point of view. Does it meet the needs that are needing a solution? How well does it meet those needs?
What type of environment will the OS and software we are looking at or need to look at, be running in?
It is the needs and outcomes that determines the tools we should use, not public opinion or juvenile one-upsmanship.
In one situation, we may find that due to financial resources and the intended use by the user, Linux will work just fine and in that case, go right ahead and use it.
In another case, it may be that certain software must be used and it can only be used with Windows and the environment is more conducive to Windows. Then by all means, use Windows, if it is the best tool for the job.
It's fine to debate commercialism vs community and OpenSource versus proprietary. However, let's not get too carried away with the black and white hats.
Let's keep our arguments logical, reasonable and fact based. We can all become very emotional when something, an ideal or philosophy we really believe in is the subject of disagreement.
So, when will the demise of Windows on the desktop be? Based on how much I can charge people to fix it for them, I hope it's a long long time away.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Unnecessary Fanboys ( or, As The Pendulum Swings)
I use MS Windows. It's true. I use it almost daily. Truthfully, I don't have that much trouble using it.
I was originally trained using Novell Netware.
I have used Apple Mac to a pretty good extent.
Been known to work on a 'pure' Unix system or two as well.
I use Linux every single day at home and at work.
I find there are pros and cons for every OS and the associated software that runs on them.
Do I find that I prefer one over the others? Yes, I prefer Linux.
Does that mean that I must run to the highest hills and shout to all the world that only Linux is worth using?
Shall I stand on street corners telling people to never use Windows or they are less than wonderful people?
Fanboys of any type are obnoxious and annoying. It doesn't matter what OS or distro they root for.
The very fact that anyone feels the need to engage in "My OS is better than yours is" or "OS Whatever sucks sour milk!" shows a lack of maturity and ability to behave in an intelligent manner.
Of course, there are discussions to be had on the merits and detractors of various OS's and systems. Reasoned, calm, fact based discussion can only help an OS or distro become better.
These folks aren't talking about reasoning or skilled debate though. It's all about who can shout louder or wave the biggest foam finger.
It also shows that one is more concerned about what others think about the software and systems they are using rather than focusing on what meets the need of the user him or her self.
They are sheep. Being led by other sheep who can't be happy unless they are part of a crowd.
A distro is no good unless it has so many raver points on "distro measuring.com'?
If there aren't at least 3,000 other people who have said something is ok, then it must not be OK and one should jeer at it publicly until one fine day, there are the magic number of folks using it or giving it points and now it is magically worthy of your time.
Fanboys follow the pendulum of public opinion. In many cases, trying to see if they can, by the sheer use of ranting and raving in public, influence the swing.
The last thing Linux or any other OS needs is a fanboy.
Save your fanaticism for football or baseball or soccer. This is computers people. As long as it is working for the user and meeting the needs, it is good enough and they can be productive.
Now, for those who are not fans of corporate monopolies and criminal behavior, that's fine. But, that is another discussion. it is the company that produces the OS you have a problem with, not the OS itself. Keep it straight.
If you do have a problem with the OS iself, write a letter or email to the maintainers of it. Try to help them know what needs to be fixed.
If that isn't good enough, just something else.
If you make a decision to use an OS based on " All my Star Wars buddies online decided that the wallpapers for OS Whatever are sexier than other OS wallpapers, so we all changed to that." Well, you are to be pitied more than taken seriously.
For those who want an exclusive about Linux, here it is...
Linux is not about beating another distro or being better than another OS.
It is about using a computer the way you want to use it. Using Free and OpenSource tools to accomplish usability and customization and 'ownership' that you might not get using something else.
Linux doesn't care about Windows or Mac or any other. It is what it is and will grow and adapt as it's development and user communities see fit.
No hoottin ' and hollerin' necessary.
No flamewars or "my dog is better than your dog" comments required.
Just use what is best for you and leave everyone else alone.
( This opinion is brought to you by our new sponsors at: the Society for a Reality Conscious World)
I was originally trained using Novell Netware.
I have used Apple Mac to a pretty good extent.
Been known to work on a 'pure' Unix system or two as well.
I use Linux every single day at home and at work.
I find there are pros and cons for every OS and the associated software that runs on them.
Do I find that I prefer one over the others? Yes, I prefer Linux.
Does that mean that I must run to the highest hills and shout to all the world that only Linux is worth using?
Shall I stand on street corners telling people to never use Windows or they are less than wonderful people?
Fanboys of any type are obnoxious and annoying. It doesn't matter what OS or distro they root for.
The very fact that anyone feels the need to engage in "My OS is better than yours is" or "OS Whatever sucks sour milk!" shows a lack of maturity and ability to behave in an intelligent manner.
Of course, there are discussions to be had on the merits and detractors of various OS's and systems. Reasoned, calm, fact based discussion can only help an OS or distro become better.
These folks aren't talking about reasoning or skilled debate though. It's all about who can shout louder or wave the biggest foam finger.
It also shows that one is more concerned about what others think about the software and systems they are using rather than focusing on what meets the need of the user him or her self.
They are sheep. Being led by other sheep who can't be happy unless they are part of a crowd.
A distro is no good unless it has so many raver points on "distro measuring.com'?
If there aren't at least 3,000 other people who have said something is ok, then it must not be OK and one should jeer at it publicly until one fine day, there are the magic number of folks using it or giving it points and now it is magically worthy of your time.
Fanboys follow the pendulum of public opinion. In many cases, trying to see if they can, by the sheer use of ranting and raving in public, influence the swing.
The last thing Linux or any other OS needs is a fanboy.
Save your fanaticism for football or baseball or soccer. This is computers people. As long as it is working for the user and meeting the needs, it is good enough and they can be productive.
Now, for those who are not fans of corporate monopolies and criminal behavior, that's fine. But, that is another discussion. it is the company that produces the OS you have a problem with, not the OS itself. Keep it straight.
If you do have a problem with the OS iself, write a letter or email to the maintainers of it. Try to help them know what needs to be fixed.
If that isn't good enough, just something else.
If you make a decision to use an OS based on " All my Star Wars buddies online decided that the wallpapers for OS Whatever are sexier than other OS wallpapers, so we all changed to that." Well, you are to be pitied more than taken seriously.
For those who want an exclusive about Linux, here it is...
Linux is not about beating another distro or being better than another OS.
It is about using a computer the way you want to use it. Using Free and OpenSource tools to accomplish usability and customization and 'ownership' that you might not get using something else.
Linux doesn't care about Windows or Mac or any other. It is what it is and will grow and adapt as it's development and user communities see fit.
No hoottin ' and hollerin' necessary.
No flamewars or "my dog is better than your dog" comments required.
Just use what is best for you and leave everyone else alone.
( This opinion is brought to you by our new sponsors at: the Society for a Reality Conscious World)
Friday, April 3, 2009
"The Cloud" is coming. Is your house next?
The latest big tech fad "the cloud" is being seen in a variety of ways and whether correctly or incorrectly defined, people see the tools both as boon and bust.
Take Google Maps 'street view' service for example.
The little cars with Google plastered on them and their alien looking cameras bolted on top have been received with anywhere from no notice at all to public protest.
Proponents for street view say the service allows one to find the place they are looking for easier, it allows students and 'visual travelers' an opportunity to 'see' an area as if they were nearly there to get a better idea of how things really are, and some other perhaps trivial but harmless points.
Opponents of the service call it an outright violation of privacy and a tool potential thieves can exploit to get an idea of how to 'case out' the next victim.
Which all goes to show, once again, that technology in and of itself is neither good or bad. it's in the intent of the person using the technology.
With the advent of 'cloud' services though and new hardware designed to take specific advantage of those services, such as netbooks, It seems the trend will move right on ahead privacy and security concerns be damned.
In these particular examples mentioned above, how will Linux take the hit?
Linux powers Google servers which dish out the content.
Linux powers, according to estimates, around 20% of netbooks now and is looking to take over more of that market as it expands.
Is it even worth looking at the notion that people might connect Linux to people using their netbooks to connect to street view and eyeball someones house for pillaging purposes?
I personally think it would be ludicrous to suggest that, yet, look at what proprietary proponents have tried to drum up about Linux and it's users in the press up to this point.
Netbooks are poised to facilitate the oncoming rush of web based or 'cloud' services. They, for the first real time, has MS getting the sweats about it's installed market.
As the content and services are escalated and the technology is pushing toward an 'on the move' audience, the 'ethical' discussions about some of these services and how they might be used will grow as well.
Not only are the concerns about how individuals might use the upcoming technology becoming heated, but the talk of how government might use it is concerning as well.
When the netbooks become mere "dumb terminals" or thin clients for web based OS's and applications, Where is your data? Who has access to it?
Is the next step for Google to use telescopic lenses to see in windows or maybe a new 'render invisible' lens to see right through walls going to be all the awe and the next level of service in that arena?
The new generation of netbooks will use cell phone processors. Think of the potential there.
Permanently web enabled netbooks that can log on anywhere, anytime.
"Hey kids, just download the control app to your home server and connect it to your refrigerator and stove top, your furnace and television center. You can have everything ready by the time you get home, all done remotely!"
The "Cloud" promises a lot of convenience and usability. The technology is coming to take full advantage of it.
The question is, how many people really want it?
Take Google Maps 'street view' service for example.
The little cars with Google plastered on them and their alien looking cameras bolted on top have been received with anywhere from no notice at all to public protest.
Proponents for street view say the service allows one to find the place they are looking for easier, it allows students and 'visual travelers' an opportunity to 'see' an area as if they were nearly there to get a better idea of how things really are, and some other perhaps trivial but harmless points.
Opponents of the service call it an outright violation of privacy and a tool potential thieves can exploit to get an idea of how to 'case out' the next victim.
Which all goes to show, once again, that technology in and of itself is neither good or bad. it's in the intent of the person using the technology.
With the advent of 'cloud' services though and new hardware designed to take specific advantage of those services, such as netbooks, It seems the trend will move right on ahead privacy and security concerns be damned.
In these particular examples mentioned above, how will Linux take the hit?
Linux powers Google servers which dish out the content.
Linux powers, according to estimates, around 20% of netbooks now and is looking to take over more of that market as it expands.
Is it even worth looking at the notion that people might connect Linux to people using their netbooks to connect to street view and eyeball someones house for pillaging purposes?
I personally think it would be ludicrous to suggest that, yet, look at what proprietary proponents have tried to drum up about Linux and it's users in the press up to this point.
Netbooks are poised to facilitate the oncoming rush of web based or 'cloud' services. They, for the first real time, has MS getting the sweats about it's installed market.
As the content and services are escalated and the technology is pushing toward an 'on the move' audience, the 'ethical' discussions about some of these services and how they might be used will grow as well.
Not only are the concerns about how individuals might use the upcoming technology becoming heated, but the talk of how government might use it is concerning as well.
When the netbooks become mere "dumb terminals" or thin clients for web based OS's and applications, Where is your data? Who has access to it?
Is the next step for Google to use telescopic lenses to see in windows or maybe a new 'render invisible' lens to see right through walls going to be all the awe and the next level of service in that arena?
The new generation of netbooks will use cell phone processors. Think of the potential there.
Permanently web enabled netbooks that can log on anywhere, anytime.
"Hey kids, just download the control app to your home server and connect it to your refrigerator and stove top, your furnace and television center. You can have everything ready by the time you get home, all done remotely!"
The "Cloud" promises a lot of convenience and usability. The technology is coming to take full advantage of it.
The question is, how many people really want it?
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