Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:
Ralf Schneider wrote:
If I were to quickly give the most significant bit of my opinion,
that would be this: Unix is for programmers and Windows is for end
users. As such, even though both ultimately accomplish the task of
putting a computer's resources at your disposal, their foci are
different. You're a programmer. So the notion that there is an
operating system catering to your needs may warrant a closer look.
Well,
to have at least one different opinion:
I'm playing around with Linux since the first year when Linus released
the source code. I have hacked the kernel for fun.
I'm usix AIX, HP-UX, Red Hat, Solaris and Windows at work as a
programmer.
And my opinion is: *NIX sucks. Linux was great comapred to DOS and
Windows 3.11. But since Windows NT4.0 - Linux (POSIX) just seems
outdated. Quality and stability of APIs, general Architecture,
documentation, etc.
I prefer Windows any time.
I hate emacs and vi. The command line tools are OK, but nothing
compared to a modern IDE with a stable debugger and analysis tools
like "Source Insight". Everything on Unix feels like it was 20 years
ago. Nothing seems to change, the old poor tools. No progress, just
stagnation. Oh I forgot to mention "Shell scripts!" - UAHHHHH! Ever
tried python or ruby?
I seriously think Unix fetishists are masochists... Yes I can programm
in vi and compile on the command line - if necessary. But I expect
more after 20 years of tools development!!!
To be fair: I think AIX and HP-UX are really rock solid! But I would
never use a server os as a desktop os!
What I want from an OS as a progammer: Performance! High responsive
GUI. Powerfull professional tools, like a modern IDE. Stable APIs.
Good documentation.
Windows can deliver.
I have never touched OSX. So I don't know.
Linux as a desktop is a kindergarten of wannabe design archtiects:
Wobbling windows, KDE disaster, permanent changing APIs, slow
performance (ever compared Eclipse on Windows and Linux?).
Is Eclipse SLOWER on Linux than Windows? It's notoriously slow on Windows!
Linux as a server: Is OK. I mean it's free! I don't expect the same
reliability as AIX...
- Ralf
Well at least you've got to make up your mind. It's amazing how you
mention instability in three instances and stagnation in two instances,
without ever noticing the irony. What's happening?
Andrei
The instability seemed to be about "Linux as a desktop".
