Written while grumpy ;)
Last time that I checked it is called LINUX_Newbies and not
Windows-LINUX_
The problem is that most users need to forget about Windows when they
migrate to Linux. If they try to apply Windows thinking to Linux they get
confused. There is no c: drive. Get used to it.
You also introduce foreign ideas that have no place or serve little purpose.
You get such things as How to defragment a hard drive. There is a reason why
this is hard to do in Linux. There is little or no use for it. The same can
be said for anti-viruses. They don't work as in Windows because we don't
have a problem, yet. If there was a problem someone would devise a better
solution.
Many problems that new users have in Linux can be resolved if they change
their thinking and thought like a Linux user. If they don't then they will
become frustrated and find the transition harder than it needs to be.
There are a few things that are basic.
1) Linux uses a different file system. Forget about Windows file system and
its naming restrictions. Learn the Linux way.
2) Linux can read and write to Windows file systems but Windows can't. It
needs help of third party software.
3) Windows programmes were written for Windows. Don't be surprised that they
don't work in a different operating system. There are no such things as .exe
files in Linux. In fact there are few suffixes to worry about at all.
4) You don't have to hunt software or go to the store to find it.
Applications are stored centrally in repositories that are maintained in
safe and secure places. It is for your convenience and protection.
5) Hardware may be the same, but Linux handles the hardware differently. You
don't need driver disks because the kernel handles most of the chores. There
are rare exceptions to standard practice.
6) Security in Linux is considered a serious matter. Get used to giving
passwords. They exist for your protection.
7) Linux does not have a central registry that can become bloated,
fragmented and defective, rendering your system useless.
8) The loading process is different. It is modular. Things that you don't
need to know about are hidden and reserved in areas that you should not
access unless you know what you are doing.
If people cannot live with these basic facts then they should stick to
Windows. If they want Linux then they should think Linux.
Most people do get it. They understand that Linux is a different operating
system, but by always referencing things to windows we are doing ourselves a
disservice. They ask good how do you do this or that questions.
Windows does not need any promotion. The Microsoft spin doctors are out
there. They are spending $300 million on marketing Windows 7. We do not need
to do the job for them.
I realize that I am a Linux advocate. Not everybody is. I am not paid to do
it. I do it because I can. I have the time to do it because unlike many
people I don't have a 9 - 5 commitment. It is frustrating when I find Linux
people playing into the hands of those who are opposed to Linux. The battle
between Windows and open source has not even begun. We are seen as their
number one competitor, even though Apple has a greater market share. The
reason is that Apple has its own hardware, but Linux competes for the same
PC market.
Any press for Windows furthers Windows and makes our work harder. I found
the piece that was posted to be unnecessary and out of place on a help
forum. This is all I will say on the matter. I just urge people to reflect a
bit before they post pieces about Windows and Microsoft.
Roy
2009/11/2 J <dreadpiratejeff@
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 08:07, Roy <linuxcanuck@
> wrote:
>
> > The last place I expect to see one is in a help forum for Linux. I can
> get
> > them anytime I want. I come here to help and not be propagandized. This
> is
> > Linux board not a Windows promotion platform. It would have been fine had
> if
> > shown the features of Ubuntu (or any other distro) only.
> >
> > As soon as Windows is mentioned it invites response and usually it causes
> > problems. The hatchets come out (mine included) and Microsoft's name gets
> > dragged through the mud (again). Feelings get hurt. Been there. Done
> that.
>
> I would agree with you Roy, except on one thing... this is the NEWBIES
> list... and thus, it's expected that the people who come here seeking
> help and answers are just that, newbies with little to no experience.
> Now, they HAD to come from somewhere... and it's a 98% certainty that
> they came from Windows.
>
> So while the typical Windows Vs Linux discussion IS overdone and
> annoying even at the best of times, for the newbies that come here
> from that world, allowing them to ask the questions "Why is Linux
> better than Windows," or "I can do X in Windows, how can I do it in
> Linux?" and discussing the reasons behind that is informative and
> educational.
>
> > I respect that Scott and some of the rest of you use both Windows and
> Linux.
> > I do not. I am Microsoft free and proud of it. There is a dichotomy here.
> > The two operating systems are like night and day and should be kept in
> > separate boxes (and forums), IMO.
>
> I'd agree with you about keeping them separate IF the question is "How
> do I get X to run on my Vista machine?" but other such things I have
> no problem with at all. HOWEVER, that feeling ONLY applies here. I
> would not tolerate the same discussion on Linux@, RedHat@ or any of
> the other non-newbie lists I'm on.
>
> If you can be 100% MS free, I am proud of you, and say
> congratulations. I can't say the same... I need a Windows system to
> handle certain tasks, and for my wife, because try as I might, she
> just can't get the hang of Linux.
>
> Both are just tools. Neither OS is the saviour of the human race,
> neither is any more important to me than a couple of hammers, or
> chainsaws. Both are tools, both have their uses, both have their pros
> and cons.
>
> At one time I was an OS zealot but grew out of it because it's really
> kind of pointless to say My hammer is better than your hammer and I
> refuse to use your hammer at all!.
>
> Anyway, I'm glad you stand up for your beliefs... that's very
> important in this day and age, and I respect you greatly for it.
>
> Cheers
> Jeff
>
> --
>
> Jonathan Swift - "May you live every day of your life." -
> http://www.brainyqu
>
>
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