On Mon, Apr 26, 2004 at 08:21:06AM -0500, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > A Linux choice is not as off the beaten path as you might think.
I guess I was talking about the reasons why people adopt Linux, rather than whether Linux is ready for the market place. I know, I was mostly mentioning software but that is because Linux provides a lot of esoteric stuff for a fraction of the price. Sure you can find a Common LISP environment for Windows, but it is either a port from the Unix environment or it is an expensive commercial product. Sure, the commercial tools are going to be a tad more fancy, but it doesn't much matter if you don't use those extra features (either because you don't like them, or want to avoid being locked into a particular vendor). I'm sure the list could go on. The other issue is why people use a particular product. OpenOffice may be nice, but using anything other than Microsoft Office under Windows creates headaches if you want to collaborate with people. Sometimes the issues are with reverse engineering the file format. Sometimes the problems are with font metrics. Then there is the issue with OpenOffice being a bloated turd (perhaps Microsoft Office is the same, I simply haven't used it). Sometimes you want to use LaTeX. At that point you have to start asking yourself: if you want to emulate the Windows environment, why not use Windows. If you are looking for something off the beaten path, why not use Unix? So yes, I am a Unix advocate. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those Unix advocates who is deluded and believe that Linux can replace Windows. It cannot and it should not. If you are using it, it is for a particular reason (expense, availability of specialised tools, availability of source code, etc.). Byron. -- MaX-list is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> MaX-list info: <http://lowendmac.com/linux/max.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/max-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
