I had a couple of friends come round last night (avid Windows fans). I was hoping to impress them with my Linux system (Mandriva). They had a run through on my Linux system and just laughed, saying the programs were crap and shoddy - Kaffeine vs WMP as one example, with WMP quoted as being 'unbelievably superior' to the former mentioned from sound reproduction point of view (we switched into XP to compare). I pointed out the stability and reliability of Linux - not to mention the versatility and ability to customise. However, the buggers would not say anything good about Linux. I just love Linux and use it far more often that Windows. How can I convince these doubters that Linux is better than Windows now?
Personaly I think you value you mates opinions too much. If you like Linux and it works for you than :swear: them and their Windows. But if you insist on having this futile discussion, try this thread for some amunition - http://www.hardwareforums.com/version-linux-best-newbie-4590/2/?highlight=best+linux Pay attention to my statements - #24 and then see AT's reply. I still go red when I read it. Linux has it's downsides and so does Windows. It is really not the end of the world if someone blindly ignores the benefits of a good product. Don't sweat it..... thier bed/soup/pie etc... you catch my drift.... Somone asked me why do I want to bother with Linux when I already have Windows. My answer was that it does everything that Windows does, safer, and for free.....what else?
WMP vs Kaffeine? LOL WMP vs AmaroK? Now I am really laughing... Some people are just ignorant. If they want to use Windows then leave them be. You know how good Linux really is and that's all that matters LOL
Send them a virus. They might try to send you one back, but there aren't many (if any) for Linux, so I think they'll have a struggle!
Even as a joke this is missing the whole point of Linux. Just look at the differences in Forums support. In Widows it is mostly about how to fix it or make it go better. With linux it is a whole collective effort to create a better product by involving anyone who is wiling to chip in and help. Not just to find solution to existing problems but building fom scratch as well.
Agree about the Kaffeine WMP thing, Amarok vs WMP is better. Thing is, its still comparing apples to oranges. WMP can be seen as bloatware, or full of features depending on your viewpoint. It may have good burning facilities etc etc, but lets face it. It does those things pretty average in quality, its not as good as a dedicated application. While as a music player/jukebox then its vastly inferior to Amarok. I've had countless debates about Windows vs Linux with friends, some of them even slate Linux even when they haven't tried it. They automatically have an internal bias against it, and think that its hard to use. I then ask them how they know its hard to use and they usually don't have an answer for it. Granted, I use windows when I have to. The only case which I use it is on my laptop, and thats because I have no other choice. You also learn more out of trying different things then you do sticking with what's "alright".
None of my friends even know what Linux is! It depends what you want to use your computer for, and how much time you have to set it up. If you want to play 3d games, your best bet is Windows, as most games are designed for Windows. Yes, Wine or cedega will possibly run Windows, or you could run Windows in a Virtual Pc, but if you haven't got a lot of time, it's probably best just to stick with Windows. However, If you want to surf the internet, have more time, and not a lot of money (or you just think Windows is overpriced (which it is)), then Linux is brilliant. As far as I can remember, a Poll on a Linux forum showed that the majority of Linux users were aged between 13 and 21, people with most time and least money.
An interesting statistic, Thomas. As for the Linux vs Windows debate, I think it will always be with us. From what I have gleaned from media cover, the use of Linux is on the up - it might just keep Microsoft on its toes in producing better operating systems in the future. Currently, I've got Linux and XP on dual boot, so have got the best of both worlds. However, if I could not use Windows again for whatever reason, I would not lose any sleep over the loss.
Just found the poll. It shows the results different to what I remember, but not that different. How old is everyone around here? - LinuxQuestions.org
When challenged with the inferiority of their favorite OS, a Windows fan might point out one feature or another as proof that their OS is better than the rest. But they make the critical mistake of confusing secondary functionality with the operating system's fundamental properties. MS Windows, in it's current state, will never be secure, nor will it ever be incredibly stable or reliable. Fundamental parts of the OS design are to blame for this, so this fact cannot change unless Windows is re-written, nay, redesigned from the ground up. Since this is extremely unlikely to happen, those who are not satisfied with the current state of Microsoft Windows should strongly consider migrating to an operating system with a fundamentally better design. Otherwise, MS will promise the world over and over again, and then deliver the same old stuff we've grown to hate. Remember, Microsoft is a marketing company much moreso than a technology company, and they always have been. For my part, I made the decision to leave the Windows world a long time ago, and let me assure you, I haven't lost any sleep over it. The biggest problem I have with my OS is the ingnorance of many others concerning it, and this trickles down in the form of less 3rd-party software available than in Windows. That said, my Debian Linux distro has well over 15,000 software packages in its repositories for me to install, and I'm only using a mere few hundred. Besides this, I haven't payed a dime for software outside of retail games for years, all legally mind you, and I want for nothing. So, in conclusion, if MS Windows is the OS you want, then run it! Buy it, use it and be happy. If you don't want Windows, there are a lot of solid choices today (all UNIX-like OS'es, not coincidentally) which are flourishing despite the MS monopoly. These include Mac OS X, the BSDs, and literally hundreds of unique variations of the Linux platform. All of these are more cost-effective in the long run than Windows (some more than others of course -- BSD and Linux are free), all of these are more secure, and all of them have better user interfaces (IMHO). Linux fits my needs perfectly, even for gaming, so I'm one of the lucky ones who has left MS behind with no regrets at all. If you can do the same, I say go for it!
