I First of all , I'm a dyed-in-the-wool windows user, and make no excuses for that.
There are interesting parallels between linnux and windows users, and different users of ham radio.. On one hand you find those who are interested in operating, in communicating and making new contacts around the globe. These are also the folks who jump into ARES and SAR teams to provide support, ........ function is the main interest of this type of operator, rather than the form.......... success is the ability to communicate under adverse conditions, rather than the "how" of how it got there. Windows appeals to these folks since it is a relatively simple thing to use, and it works across a broad spectrum of programs. The other side of the equation are those who are very interested in the "how" and not so much in the "why". These are folks who are concerned about the throughput, not the content. They can happily bury themselves in the technical knowledge and patience required to use linux, write endless lines of code and otherwise do all those things that would drive me as an operator crazy. Fortunately there is room for, and a need for both in the digital world., those to write the code and those of us who enjoy using new code and running it to it's limits. Microsoft became popular because it was the simplest tool around to get the job done. Not the most elegant, maybe not the most efficient, but it got the job done. And it was something that could be used with little or no technical training.The ease of operation led to microsoft's dominance in the marketplace with word, powerpoint, outlook and the like. Nothing else written in the early days could beat the ease with which these programs functioned. Microsoft did their market analysis very well and concentrated on software perceived as the greatest need, not obscure specialty graphics software that Apple got into, and built a reputation on. Just plain vanilla word and number crunching. IMHO, this KISS (Keep it simple,stupid) principle that microsoft adhered to would be something for linnux to examine, in order to survive beyond cult status............ my 2 cents John VE5MU ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.9/623 - Release Date: 1/11/2007 3:33 PM
