Why Should I Use Linux??

[techieMoe]

I'm not saying to hell with features, I'm saying we focus too much on them. Free software is "superior" than proprietary software because we have the freedom to modify it, it's merely a byproduct of having freedom. It's a great byproduct, but to ignore the very prerequisite that allows better software to exist is rather counter-intuitive. Many more byproducts can occur than just good features, and that's why they shouldn't be the sole object of our attention.

Software IS features. It's a collection of useful "features" that come together to make a useful product. Without "features" you have a mess of code that may be free but does nothing. I don't see how we can focus on good software without focusing on features.

Even if we discount that last statement, a lot of us don't have the luxury to not "focus too much" on features of programs. At my work for instance, we use a very expensive change management suite from IBM. Unlike most of IBM's other products (that were created in-house) these tools were purchased from another vendor and only work on MS Windows at the moment.

To the best of my knowledge there is no Linux equivalent for the Rational ClearCase/ClearQuest product out there. Sure, there are change management suites all over, but none that offer the integration we need into our development framework (Rational Software Architect, based on Eclipse).

Even if a comparable product existed (and was free or cheap), I am not high enough up at my job to influence buying decisions, so I have no choice but to be "focused" on the features offered by this proprietary software.

The "we should use it because it gives us the freedom to modify it" works for some pieces of software and some companies, but not for all.

I don't know how you want to run your computer, but that's the whole point, you're not getting a prepackaged operating system and having to use it a specific way. If you believe that programs themselves define the usage you want to apply, then yes I guess there are some restrictions in those respects, but you're not being told "you'll use it how we say you'll use it, and you'll like it".

In the case of Microsoft Windows (particularly Vista) I understand and see your point. However, aside from perhaps the GUI (and you can use X11 instead), what is it about Mac OS X that tells you how to use it?

[carlosponti]

In the case of Microsoft Windows (particularly Vista) I understand and see your point. However, aside from perhaps the GUI (and you can use X11 instead), what is it about Mac OS X that tells you how to use it?

Doesn't it say in the boot splash wwsjd(what would steve jobs do)?

[techieMoe]

Doesn't it say in the boot splash wwsjd(what would steve jobs do)?

That particular blessing is only visible to the truly Mac faithful. If you pray in the direction of Cupertino twice a day you might even receive the stigMACHta, which are visible as birth marks in the shape of a dogcow.

[carlosponti]

lmao thats pretty good stuff.

[danbuter]

There is a book from O'Reilly about using Linux-type commands on OS X. You may want to try that.

O'Reilly Media -- Bookstore: Learning Unix for Mac OS X Tiger