Microsoft launches new preWindows7 anti-Linux offensive

[bobtran]

Well, I like 7 and it will be my main OS, but for a "user friendly" GNU/Linux OS, Ubuntu can't be beat! The biggest problem is wireless on a laptop, but checking on compatibility before buying solves that issue.

I am sorry, why should I check to see if a $2500 laptop is compatiable with a OS, the OS should be the one that is made to work with the laptop. And yes, I have a 2500$ laptop, and as soon as linsux runs EVERY piece of software and EVERY piece of equipt out of the box, (not editing a config file here and there) , only then will I consider it on my system.

Untill then it is worthless to me.

Sad when people try to make blanket statements like these. Your $2500 laptop has nothing to do with the OS that you choose to run on it and furthermore your Windows OS will not run just any hardware you choose to hook up to your overpriced laptop or have you been asleep for the last 3 years.

In addition, the current levels of Ubuntu will run just as much or more hardware as your Windows will (and no you don't have to compile drivers to get them to work (this is M$ FUD) but if you want a custom driver to do what you repeat you want it to do you CAN compile it to only run your individual piece of equipment and no other).

As for networking you are just wrong. There is a reason that the vast number of firewalls, networking equipment and the backbone of the internet runs on some flavor of Linux. The only real limitation of Linux is the USER/programmer/network analyst and not the OS.

Its just sad that people take such a limited view of OS's other than the one they choose to run and make derogatory statements about it just like you are doing. If you choose to not run it GREAT but be-littling the product or it's users should be beneath you. The ability to run an application effectively comes from familiarity and knowledge.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." - Herbert Spencer

I would suggest a little further investigation and a little less contempt.

 

[pparks1]

I am sorry, why should I check to see if a $2500 laptop is compatiable with a OS, the OS should be the one that is made to work with the laptop.

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever. You do realize that Microsoft did not program Windows around the hardware that you have in your laptop. Instead, they were provided with drivers and such from the manufacturer to include within their operating system to ensure that it would work. Linux could and would work with all pieces of hardware as well if the manufacturers of such equipment would provide the necessary components to make them work.

This is the reason I purchase hardware around the OS that I plan to use. I generally DO NOT support manufacturers of hardware which don't support Linux...because I refuse to be "stuck" with Windows as my only option. Even if I am not using an alternative, I'm damn well glad that there are options available thus not leaving Microsoft as the only player in town.

Untill then it is worthless to me.

Linux isn't worth it to everyone, nor should it really be used by everyone. Some people are willing to accept what they are provided with by Microsoft and that's enough to meet their needs. If it meets your needs, you are willing to pay the price for licensing properly and are not impacted by the restrictions placed upon it's use....then I don't see any reason why you wouldn't use it. Some people however choose to save quite a bit on money on the licensing, install Linux on however many boxes they want and are willing to put in a bit of configuration and tinkering time in exchange for fewer problems with stability, fragmentation, viruses, spyware, malware, trojans, rootkits and the like.

And NO linux does not run rings around windows networking by any means, a LOT of that depends on the admin. I bet you most of those problems you so kindly point out as Windows are Admin issues.....

Well, I'm not so sure that the networking stack and stability of Linux doesn't necessarily outperform Windows. Sure, proper administration does lead to a better running system...but there are VERY GOOD reasons that a majority of the Internet infrastructure like DHCP, DNS, Sendmail, Apache, MySQL all run on Linux platforms. With many Linux machines, you just set them up and can pretty much walk away from them. It's extremely rare to have to reboot a Linux machine because it's misbehaving...but anybody that uses Windows knows that reboots are often the first thing to try.