Pointer: blog post, "RANT: Is the Linux dream a myth?"

[blnchflr]

I came across this blog post in the openSUSE forums: RANT: Is the Linux dream a myth?

I've met a few characters that are living the Linux dream or at least claiming to. But here's the rub... is there anyone who's exclusively using it? I don't mean "I've got Linux installed on my USB stick" or "I dual boot". Is there anyone who is actually using Linux as there sole operating system. Booting into everyday to check their email, write their documents, develop their code, surf the web and yes.. play their games. I fear there is not.

Having used Linux exclusively for almost a year, and knowing people who've been Linux-exclusive for longer than that, not to mention MAC USERS, the author seems naive or sheltered. Which surprises me, as he's a coder - apparently I'm prejudiced about coders :o)

Comments

[syntheid]

I was Linux-exclusive for a little over a year, I think? But I was also doing nearly no graphic design at that time, and when I went back to trying to do more of that, it became really hard not to use Windows because of Photoshop (I did get it to run on Linux, but it was too buggy to use). Also for some reason, internet would randomly not work, which was a little annoying. I did play my particular flavor of gaming on Linux-- I actually found it tended to run better on it at the time. (I play Guild Wars.)

But even though Linux is currently "dual boot" on my computer, I keep booting into Windows these days because of program compatibility issues like that, so yeah, I also understand not counting "dual boot" users. I'd really like to get off Windows entirely (at home, anyway, I know that's a pipedream at work, for sure), but haven't been able to as of yet. I may end up moving in the Mac direction, since, as kareila was saying, it's a bit easier to be Mac-exclusive than Linux-exclusive.

[blnchflr]

But I was also doing nearly no graphic design at that time, and when I went back to trying to do more of that, it became really hard not to use Windows because of Photoshop
Gimp is a very strong application these days!

[kerravonsen]

Gimp is a very strong application these days!
True, but if one is used to Photoshop, one can find Gimp really irritating, because it doesn't do things the same way. Not that I've ever used Photoshop, but I expect I would find Photoshop irritating for the same reason: not what I'm used to.

Macs are supposed to be very good for graphic design.

[dragonwolf]

As a Photoshop (from 7 to CS3) to Gimp convert, I somewhat disagree (other people's experience may vary, of course). I actually found Gimp a ton easier to use and more adaptable (and found Photoshop CS3 clunky and bloated in comparison). The biggest issue I've run into is Gimp's lack of layer folders, which can cause issues when getting a complicated PSD from a graphic designer, since all the layers are visible in Gimp.