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

[jana]

This is a pretty meaningless debate, IMO. Linux, Windows, Mac - these are just operative systems and they're good at some things and not so good at others. I don't use just one browser exclusively either - my favorite is Opera, but sometimes I have to switch to Firefox because some web applications don't always work like they're supposed to, and sometimes I use Konqueror because neither Firefox nor Opera get the job done. It's pretty much the same with Linux, Windows, or Mac.

Windows has a lot of drawbacks, like awful security, lots of usability issues, lack of transparency of internal workings/processes and so on, but if you want to play good games and want to be able to choose from a wide range of game types and genres, you really have no choice but to use Windows.

On the other hand, if you're a graphic designer who works professionally, then Mac is usually your best choice because of all the high-end graphic software, and I'm not only talking about Photoshop. The same goes for musicians, composers, and other music lovers. An exception is probably game designers because they design games for the windows market...

Linux is your best choice if you're a programmer, or a scientist who likes to write articles and reports with LaTeX. Some Linux distributions are also a good choice for people who don't know much about computers, don't know how to protect themselves from viruses & co. My mother uses it, and her problems have nothing to do with Linux, but her still-rudimentary computer skills. And it's perfect for everyone who likes to configure the computers settings, depending on their needs, preferences and moods.

Personally, I have dual-boot on my work computer, but I haven't booted Windows on that one in over a year (I'm not allowed to remove it...), and when I get the occasional "windows only" file format, well, then there's always the virtual machine :) At home I also have dual-boot, simply because I like to play games, but for everything else I use Linux. Windows is a royal pain in the ass, but, well, like I said, I like to play computer games...

[kareila]

Yes, this what I meant when I said "it begs the question of what is most important to you when choosing an OS."

Especially with advances in modern game consoles and web browsers, I find PC-specific game software more and more superfluous.

[blnchflr]

This is a pretty meaningless debate
The debated point of the linked article (and my post) is whether it's possible to get by with just Linux, not which OS is best.

[jana]

Just to be clear, when I said "this is a pretty meaningless debate" I didn't mean it was 'meaningless' to bring this topic up for discussion here. What I meant was is that this guy's question is rather pointless, because he claims in his rant that you're not a 'real' Linux user as long as you're using windows (or mac os x) on the side, for whatever reasons. But in what way does it make you a lesser Linux user just because you boot windows every now and then, or because you also own a Mac? His rant and his question also imply that if you're happy with Linux, you shouldn't be using or needing another one, which basically means that Linux really isn't as good as so many people claim it to be. So, yes, in some way this article is about which OS is best.