[Scarecrow Man]

Bill Gates stole Windows from Steve something (the apple guy) and made millions. He now has financial support to do what ever he wants (almost)

M$ is CONSTANTLY fighting legal battles over monopolies, licences, and other various things they do 'wrong', but because they have money, they can buy thier way out of almost all of it.

Linux probably would be more popular and much much better if it had all the money Bill Gates has, but that's the thing... Linux is only available if you know what it is! Everyone knows what windows is, so how do they know there are other options?

basically it comes down to this, M$ sucks, they are greedy and will probably continue to 'rule the silicon valley' for years to come, but when Linux becomes more well-known, people or at least smart people will make the switch (if it's feasable of course)

[scientica]

I think that once the big corporations start using linux for their workstations more will "get used to" linux, and if they also start making linux an option for for instance "Hem PC" (or equivalent, I dn't know how it's in the rest of the world, but here in sweden it's quite common with people getting PCs via their jobs, it's basically a tax reduced lease, it's in the end term actually relativly cheap - the tax reduction makes it so, even if they've lowered teh reduction latley). Well, to get back, to topic, as I said once the big companies start to use it the employees will see that they don't have that much problems that they had with old windows machines - thought, it would probably be a lesser need for some basic linux training - similar to the basic "how to turn on the computer and start a word processor and print \"'ello world\"" (oops, I did it again, I got lost in the act, escaped the quote, ... :P)

About the theft from the apple, iirc they silences them by threatening (or whatever and celisitor would say ) them to not develop office for macos...

[tr_wright1]

i personaly feel that this has gone way to far!

someone kill billy boy! (i am very surprised that his os hasn't done it already, like the time when windopes 98 crashed in front of 1000+ people when he was demonstrating USB, 2nd best moment of my life (my first was when i started to use linux ) i can just see it now, a banner reading "windows, the amazing, multicrashing, useless and overall crap operating system.

[tr_wright1]

look what ive found... you may die laughing


http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/98...tes.30.160.mov

(you will need quicktime or something that will play .mov files)

welcome to reality bill!

[Pimp Daddy]

I've only been using Linux for a few days and have had hardware problems already, but I can see why people see it as a competitior to Windows. There is so much more choice when it comes to bundled applications. For instance - the web browsers. I think I found about 6 on Slackware whereas you get the hard to remove and buggy IE with Windows. The same goes for games, development and office software.

From my perspective as a computer science student, I was pleased to see the variety of development tools on offer that can handle so many types of syntax. Also, as there are a lot of modules in my course which are dependant on Java, I was glad to see that it was built into the OS already. In all versions of Windows, I have to mess about with the curse on humanity that is the classpath. As I'm having problems with that at the moment, I can just work on my Java projects over in Linux until I get it fixed.

However, you cannot ignore the advantages of Windows. At the moment I have a dual boot system (XP Pro and Slack 10). XP allows me to run the .NET Framework apps. Although there is progress in that area with Linux (I think it's called Mono), for the bulk of that work I must use Windows. I could use the version of C++ on Slack but I believe there are differences so I can't ignore Windows.

Also, because of the amount of money that is thrown at the likes of XP, there is greater hardware compatibility. As I have mentioned in other forums on this site. I can only get certain devices to work in Windows at the moment. However this will probably change with time.

One other thing I do like about Linux though is the ease you can manipulate the code of the OS. It allows greater flexibility and as a get better at programming, I'll be able to have a go at making Linux apps that eventually become part of the OS.

I'm sure I'll get a load of abuse for what I've just said, but I like to take part in serious debates.

[Mandark]

I don't know if Linux will overtake Micromoth but if you keep inviting people to the light, sooner or later they will come. You can't stay in the dark forever.

[sarumont]

As was said in an article I read recently...eventually people will realize that there are alternatives...and stop doing the M$ Two-Step: Shrug. Reboot.

[tr_wright1]

ie is easy to get rid of just delete the registry keys and find its files then go in with a program like destroy it and blow the shite out of it!

[ElectronicTempest]

Just clear up something's I read in this topic. I don't know about Gateway or any of the others but Dell, WILL install the most recent version of Red Hat for you AND it will save you on the licensing fee. When I bought my home server (it was a PC I just turned it into a server) I told them I wanted Linux, they said No. I then asked to speak with their superior. After 10 minutes he said he's installed Red hat and I'd save approx. $120+ I tried to get him to install Slackware or Debian but he wouldn't. So I just settled for Red Hat and installed Slack when I got it. (I also got a rescue disk and drivers FOR windows. So essentially I got windows for free

Gates didn't steal windows from Steve Wozniac from Apple. Apple stole it from Xerox, while also stealing the mouse from Xerox. Gates then went ahead and stole it from the apple crew. technically it was stolen from Xerox.

microsoft is getting scared. They have gotten in trouble for an ad they the used "To Prove Linux is more expensive the Windows" They proved that to be true. But they used a MUCH more expensive computer for Linux then they used with windows. So DUH! I think that right now we're at the point where we should start seeing the microsoft loyals switching to MACOS or Linux. The Only way to get more Linux users is to spread the word. I work at a major retailer and I am in contact with customers all day. I always make it a point to mention linux when computers come into the conversation. I know I am responsible for 2 new linux users just from that outlet of information alone.

[techieMoe]

Originally Posted by Pimp Daddy

I could use the version of C++ on Slack but I believe there are differences so I can't ignore Windows.

Yes, the difference is non-standard code that Microsoft uses in their Visual Studio for C++. Programming in Linux forces you to use standard ANSI C/C++ code (otherwise it either won't compile or gives warnings) so in effect it forces you to be a better programmer. Aside from .NET, there is *no* reason IMHO to program in MS Windows.