The AngryNetworker and I Were Having a Conversation About Linux Yesterday on Facebook and I Wanted to Share My Thoughts on the Subject
Recently, the AngryNetworker and I were having a conversation about Linux on Facebook and I wanted to share my thoughts on the subject. The conversation centered on Ubuntu’s frequency of major releases. The AngryNetworker had this to say:
isn’t it ridiculous that every month or so theres some new major release of ubuntu. Now they are pushing out Kubuntu. this is why linux is has such a hard time really breaking into production environments….
I had to correct him, and I’ll drop some science on you all, just in case you don’t know: Ubuntu releases major desktop versions about six months and Kubuntu follows a short while after. Also, here’s some more info for you all to marinate on: The Ubuntu release version numbers are based on the release dates and not actual versions, i.e.: Ubuntu 7.10 was release on October 2007 - it’s not the seventh release… If you’re interested, you can read more on Ubuntu’s Release Schedule.
With this knowledge, I have to pose the question: Isn’t it a good thing that there is a major Operating System revision that is released so often? I think it pushes the coding envelope instead of having OS delayed four years and missing every major promised feature (I’m looking at you Vista). Just look at Apple: Every major release is a vast improvement on its predecessor. Ubuntu is following this dynamic: Each bi-annual release receives UI and feature improvements. I don’t want to pick in Microsoft here, but it feels like they took a hard look at XP and removed everything that was great about it, slapped on a GUI that is resource intensive (which forces hardware upgrades and degrades usability) and called it Vista.
Before Vista, I was one of Microsoft’s biggest fans (that fact that 90% of my articles are on Windows is a testament to that) and now, the more I use Linux, the less I like XP. I think Linux has a long way to go, but the fact that both Apple and Microsoft are targeting the high end PC market leaves a huge gap in the low- and mid-markets which are perfect for OS’s like Ubuntu and gOS (I realize that these are both Debian derived, but they’re the distro’s I’ve had the most experience with).
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was gonna say it’s 6 months, but you’ve covered that. Kubuntu is just KDE rather than GNOME.
The only reason I learned quite a bit about XP and tried to like it was because I didn’t know any other OS. But now that I’ve tried K/Ubuntu, openSUSE (on the disappointing end is Gentoo), there’s really nothing scary about Linux. At first glance it doesn’t look too different, but think about it: Linux is FREE. Imagine how much money would be saved if Linux became mainstream. And although less user friendly, it’s ahead of Windows in many ways.
I still use windows more than linux, but anything I do on windows i’ve figured out how to do on Linux, with the exception of a few things that would take too long to figure out. In any case I still keep windows XP and Vista (and want to buy an Apple, just so I can compare all of them).
In all fairness, SP1 showed improvement (less BSODs, which shouldn’t even exist, support for previously unsupported memory cards - i’ve tried), and there are some things in Vista that I like over XP (but even more things I liked in XP, but aren’t in Vista) but think about it this way: by the time Vista comes up with a service pack, the Linux devs have enough to release a new operating system (unconfirmed: I heard a few Linux OSes are always built from scratch)
With regards to Apple the only thing I hate about it is how a lot of people are saying it’s better than Windows, and some even say it’s better than Linux and can’t explain why, other than the things from the ads.
I think it’s great that you are learning all of the OS’s! I just don’t understand the “I’m a Mac guy” or “Windows Rulezzz!! mentality - why not be a “Computer Guy” and learn as much as you can about everything?!
I’m not really a hardcore fan of any of the OSes. So far after using Windows and Linux, I can see the advantages in both. I don’t really see one completely dominating over the other soon, but I’m leaning towards Linux stomping Windows if it ever becomes mainstream.
I don’t mind the people who really really love one particular OS either. I love my PS3 and can defend it against the Xbox 360. I just hate the people who “like” something but don’t know why they like it. Or they do know, but they only spit out what advertisements have told them.
I don’t know if I sound like a Windows guy or a Linux guy, but trust me, I’m neither. I’m anti-bandwagon-fanboys.
You made a great point about the OS’s, they both have their place: Each has it’s advantages over the other, that’s why I dual-boot.
Well, I finally got tired of messing with MS, running registry cleaners, turning virus scanners and firewalls on and off, looking for fixes to combat spyware, adware, keyloggers, and all that stuff…
Yes, I finally installed Ubuntu into my box last night. I see few things I cannot do, but that will come with time. Linux is the future. i no longer need any windows tips and tricks. so throw in some more posts on Linux. hehe
Honestly, the more I use Linux, the less I like Windows - and as a die hard Microsoft fan, that is very hard to say!!
He’s learning…what’s his name? His name is Linux.
That’s a great quote! I love that commercial:
nice… was that a TV spot or just an internet video? coz if it was on TV, then wow, I didn’t realize Linux has the potential to be mainstream so soon.
No, that was a TV ad but it’s not a new one. I remember seeing it years ago.
It’s one on my favorite ads of all time!
I’ve been an ardent Linux fan for many years, and admittedly, it has been the realm of geeks for much of that time - until the rise of Ubuntu. Canonical and the Community are doing a fantastic job with Ubuntu, building a Linux distro that’s easy for the masses to install and use. I honestly think that in the next year or two, MS are going to have something to seriously worry about - the distribution improves with every release.
I’ve also been a Windows user for many years, and with each rare major release (3.1 -> 95 -> 98 -> ME -> XP), I’ve mainly witnessed an increase in eye-candy and “features”, along with a decrease in stability, security, and all the things that really count in an OS.
One thing is for certain - the next couple of years are going to be fascinating in the OS world!
I couldn’t agree with you more! I must admit that the release of Vista has soured my view of Windows while the latest releases from Apple and Ubuntu had thrilled me - but, we can’t count Microsoft out: The company hasn’t lasted this long, or been this successful, without taking risks.
I have no doubt that Vista will improve; It wasn’t until SP2 that XP became truly great. On top of that, each OS manufacture (Microsoft, Apple & *Nix) will continue to “push the envelop” and inspire each other! Each new OS release will have some new feature that the others will improve upon and in the end, we as users, will benefit.
I concur. The adoption of Linux by many governments around the world, and the push into third world with the mini laptops like OLPC and Classmate will make it the world standard.
Speaking of which: 9000 PCs in Swiss schools will switch to Ubuntu only.