Linux Evangelism
December 27th, 2007I have to say, nothing gets under my skin more than reading some hyper article written by an “overRedBulled” teenager who feels that Windows sucks and that Linux kicks ass without any kind of data or any “real” reasons to back up their claims. Don’t get me wrong, Linux is my desktop of choice, I use it as my main desktop and I use it for everything I need to do…almost. The things that I don’t use Linux for are admittedly being used more out of my own laziness to convert them over, or maybe it’s just that they work perfectly fine the way they are.
I work with several guys in my department that like to rant that Windows sucks and that everyone should use Linux. I like to promptly remind them that they make a pretty darn good living supporting Windows clients and then I ask them “If everyone switched over to Linux, could you even support it?”. Most of them sheepishly admit that they couldn’t, most of them admit that they have installed Linux, but it is not even their main desktop. I am pretty sure that almost none of them even remember the Windows 98 days of instability and how much of a departure Windows XP was from those days of woe (do any of them even know what IRQ settings are?).
I really do like Linux and I like what I can do with it especially with quality applications like Amarok which works with my iPod just fine and really is one of the most kick ass Linux applications out there. I don’t miss iTunes one bit. But I digress…
I did a quick search to find out what great nugget of knowledge I might be able to glean from these bona fide technological guru’s Here’s what I found:
Windows Sucks…so what Else is New?
It started off as a compelling opinion…until Omar pointed out that he had a crap load of mis configured software running on startup. Typical.
And then there is this “so called” Windows expert who has determined that Windows sucks because her iTunes is flaky.
iPod woes and why Windows sucks
So the Windows “Expert” buys a Mac which she had problems with…but THAT’s okay. I think I figured out what her real problem is, here’s a quote from her blog:
“I’ve had a seemingly lifelong crush on Kevin Rose, and Alex Albrecht is the funniest human being evar(sic).”
If she has a crush on Kevin Rose, and thinks that Alex Albrecht is funny…she has deeper rooted issues than whether Windows sucks or not.
Okay, now there’s weepingsam who is adamant that Windows Sucks! Yes, he must be serious so I read his post. Well again, it seems to be a problem with his iPod, have a read if you must:
At least whiningsam admits through an update that it is actually his hardware that sucks. I am also pretty sure that snifflingsam also thinks that paying for the music he has on his iPod sucks too.
It’s not that I necessarily disagree with some of these folks, but at least if you are going to throw a comment like this out there, have a REAL argument. Back it up with something tangible.
Here is a good example of a well balanced argument with real instances of issues rather than “It Sucks!”
Linux, XP, and my old PC and then his next try Why does Linux hate me?
and here is another article to read by A.Y. Siu. Again, well balanced and filled with proper arguments.
Have a look at some of these, and if you are going to argue that Windows, Linux, or anything else that might pop into that caffeine basted grey matter of yours, just simply “sucks!”, take a minute or two to explain your new found epiphany to the rest of us who are wondering how many more of your teeny bopper clan will Digg your half-assed opinion.