Re: Only 16 More Days to Go

"Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OZli5J5tJHA.1300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23T9wxd4tJHA.2776@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Gordon" <gordonbparker@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:eAbrJH4tJHA.5836@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Stan" <Stan57@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:OlU3eB4tJHA.1212@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
{What you can't do with Ubuntu:

Run some MS or other niche programs like AutoCad. Most video games won't
work with Ubuntu either so if you're into games, dual boot with XP.}

Telling half truths again 99% of windows programs do not run or even run properly,

Err WHY would you want to run Windows programs on Linux?
I get pretty annoyed with twits like you who constantly trot out this STUPID statement..
Either run Windows, and the programs associated with it, or run another OS and run the programs associated with that.
This business of "Linux won't run X Y and Z WINDOWS programs" is a pathetic attempt to try to rubbish a perfectly good OS that gets along perfectly well with it's own applications.
And yes I run both Vista with Office 97 and Linux with Open Office.

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That is exactly the point. If people want to run Windows programs, the best OS is Windows, not a Linux Distro. Even the authors of many Linux applications accept that while they might provide something of an alternative, they are rarely, if ever, the equal of Windows stuff.
This is ok for people who start on Open Source programs, but not good for those who get used to or have need of the features in a Windows program..

I agree with you to a certain extent.
However, as a recently-retired Systems and Management Accountant, I can tell you quite categorically that in a reasonably large organisation, 75% of MS Offuce Uers only use 25% of the available functionality.
That commonly-used functionality is very much available in (say) Open Office. Yes the interface may not be quite as "professional-looking" (shall we say) as MS Office but for the NORMAL user, ie those who don't construct very complex documents with lots of VBA and macros, something like Open office 3 is perfectly adequate.
Similarly with PIM. Thunderbird and the lightning calendar extension, for example, for the ORDINARY user, is perfectly adequate.
The ethos that "MS is ALWAYS better" is just not true in many circumstances.
The documents that I produce can be perfectly well done in either MS Office or Open Office.

The 'Alias' message fails to point out that, while Ubuntu is an alternative, anybody switching over to Ubuntu will be faced with the prospect of having to use lesser alternative programs.

Not true. see above.


He also fails to point out that anybody switching to Ubuntu will no longer be able to use their local friendly PC store for help and advice,

Weeeell.....if the machine was bought locally with Linux installed, then i would expect the same level of support and advice that a purchaser of a Windows machine from the same source would get.


and that buying peripherals may not be quite as straightforward as it would be for a Windows user.

Agreed - but there is plenty of help and information on the internet about compatible peripherals

If he was sending his message out as a true Linux aficionado instead of as a Microsoft hater, his posts would contain way more real info than they do.

I agree. I think there should be free exchange of rational information and debate - what suits one person doesn't suit another. CHOICE is the essence here.


Instead, his presence here attracts other nuts whose prime motivation in life appears to be a desire to act as much like a juvenile delinquent as possible, which in turn spoils it for those who come here looking for serious help..

And I so agree with that....


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Gordon

Computer users will get what they want, what they feel happiest with..

Re alternative programs, and especially home finance stuff, the open source developers accept that there are some functions which are not available in the alternatives, and that these deficiencies could prove to be awkward.

I have no doubt that eventually they will be reworked, but for now, it is not an easy or equal transition.

Office functions are way better catered for than a lot of other stuff because the companies which use open source operating systems want something that will co-habit easily. For the home user, life is less clear cut and, to date, software authors have been slow to take up the Linux cause.

As I stated earlier, a proper Linux aficionado would not have the same attitude as a MS hating Linux user. Alias in particular just wants to see MS fail and will say anything in order to get computer users to switch. He does not know enough and has a bad attitude, as do the idiots who continually bandy insults with him..

Wal-Mart took up the cause of selling Linux boxes. It is difficult enough to get English out of some Wal-Mart employees, let alone any decent Linux support. There is no money to be made in supporting a free Linux Distro, no incentive, and until the home user is well catered re software that looks and feels and works like Windows software, free Linux distros have a problem..

The way to get support from software authors does not include badgering people in a Vista newsgroup. Alias would do better to use his business acumen, assuming he is as capable as he suggests, to build a business case and present it to the software houses..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

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