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#21
And to further elaborate on this, because it's a good point, many of us have different software needs. I've found very little software that I use regularly that doesn't have a good linux alternative. But again this is just me....I am in no way trying to speak for you.
On my machines at home, I don't pirate or use anything illegally. So, I don't really need exactly "Microsoft Office", because I'm not willing to pay for it. In addition, for graphics work, I don't have a need to justify the purchase of "Adobe Photoshop", for basic graphics manipulation for me, TheGimp is a suitable replacement.
For other apps, I'm pretty comfortable just switching to something else which is available. For example, i don't need Windows Live Messenger, I can get by just fine with Pidgin. I don't need Roxio or Nero to burn cd/dvd(s), I can just use Brasero or K3b. I don't need iTunes or the equivalent to rip cd's, because I can use sound juicer or grip. I ocassionally like to backup a movie or rip it to my portable device...but I don't have to use DVD Decrypter, I can do just fine with k9copy.
So for me, it gets very expensive to run and maintain multiple copies of Windows at home. So, instead I usually buy an OEM license to run Windows as cheaply as possible on 1 computer and just use Linux on my others where applicable.
It's not that I forgot to say it, but I'm not trying to say Mine is better than yours. I'm just trying to analyze the facts as best as possible to make the best decision possible.
I do however believe that the overall design of Linux does make it safer. I feel far more confident surfing the webs and avoiding trojans and malware when I do it from a Linux box running Firefox and without things like Active X and so forth... but that is neither here nor there. Anytime I go to surf something of a questionable content on Windows (porn comes to mind), I usually fire up Virtual Box and run my extremely streamlined Puppy Linux which boots in just a few seconds and surf from there :). And to analyze the other side, part of the reason for so many issues with Windows is clearly it's popularity. If you want to wreak havoc...might as well go after a large audience. Plus, there are a lot of non-techies out there who happen to use Windows without bothering with things like patches, and spyware removal tools and AV, etc.. This makes a nice "not likely to discover me" testbed for nefarious activities.
I'm just glad that MS is ready to release Windows 7 and there is once again an OS that I am excited about using. I wasn't thrilled when nearly 15% of the cost of my new PC went into my Windows license...but then again it's for running Windows game and being a hackintosh machine....so Linux just wasn't going to meet those needs.
Thanks for the rep, it's appreciated. I'm just happy to have a forum full of other techies who like to banter on about this stuff without flaming each other and starting fights.
I like the idea of Linux but Ubuntu, Kubuntu are hit or miss. It may work for you but it's crap on my laptop or with any of my external hardware. It took forever to get my wireless working. I had to search for ages to find out I needed the firmware fbcutter or whatever it was (I can't remember right now). I really don't want to have to work so damn hard to get it to work, and the software isn't even close to as good.
The problem I have over all is... You actually need a company with real money behind it to make a good product out of Linux but then it won't be free. See I think having to pay for software guarantees the product will have support and the natural competition for your money breeds a better product. People who believe software should be free are just like Communist' (not trying to insult just an example), they discount how important incentive is. That incentive is money, and it drives innovation and new technology in a way free products and communism never will.
Linux could be and will be a better product when you have to pay for it.
I use and like both win and linux, but to some its a holy war. You guys all discussed this without flaming and I even learned some from it.
Thanks
Ken