[NTLUG:Discuss] Install Gripes

[Randall Weyers]

What a rant. I have not laughed this hard since my boss said what ever 
happend to DOS.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Cox" <cjcox at acm.org>
To: "NTLUG Discussion List" <discuss at ntlug.org>
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: [NTLUG:Discuss] Install Gripes


> Stephen Davidson wrote:
>> I could rant and rave about this all day, but this constructively sums
>> up the situation with installing software on Linux;
>>
>> http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-12554-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=49218&messageID=920936&start=0
>>
>> -Steve
>
> Well... I didn't find it constructive AT ALL.  And there's
> some misinformation.  It implies that Linux (distros) have not
> succeeded.  That's just plain false.  The fact that I can't
> walk into 75% of organizations without seeing some Linux
> is a testimony to its success.  Remember Windows made
> its success by FORCING vendors to have it installed as
> the defacto OS on ALL new computers.
>
> The fact that Linux has done so well... and in fact OWNS
> certain spaces (no Windows at ALL), speaks well of an OS
> that didn't use monopoly power to coerce people into
> using the OS.
>
> Is Linux still evolving? Yes.  Is Microsoft scared to
> death of it? Yes.  Are some of Vista's problems directly
> attributable to Microsoft's desire to be similar to
> Linux? Absolutely.
>
> There was a time not too long ago when Microsoft didn't
> have any enemies.  Now they have one that can't be
> taken down using traditional means (stock, lies, murder, money,
> etc).  I look for Mr. Ballmer to leave shortly because
> of all of this.
>
> Now.. for the rest of the content.  The writer ASSUMES that
> Windows installs are SIMPLE and CONSISTENT.  Wow.  You know
> there's a reason why Windows machines slow down over time.
> Some of that is caused by the FACT that Windows software installs
> are neither consistent or simple.  A LOT (and I mean a LOT)
> of trash is left all over the hard drive.  Not to mention
> the MASSIVE fragmentation caused by installing/removing
> software under Windows.  It really couldn't be uglier.
>
> In Windows, each applications can essentially write their
> own CUSTOM installation and removal routines.  Some are
> better at it than others.  But can you imagine if every
> Linux application had it's own custom installer.  You say,
> "Wait a minute, each app in Windows doesn't do it's
> own installer!"  But the truth is that while there are
> SOME (again, you don't have to do this) patterns that
> Microsoft recommend (e.g. InstallShield at one time), in
> general, it's a VERY mixed bag, even if they APPEAR to
> be similar from application to application.
>
>
> I think what the author means to say is... why can't Linux
> hide problems better?  Why can't is mask issues so I don't
> have to deal with them right now?  Why can't Linux be
> like Windows and essentially force me to upgrade/buy
> machinery just to clean up the whole Windows mess?
>
> :)
>
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