Re: It's On! Ubuntu and Microsoft Going to the Mat

[deadjournalism]

Ken, your post wreaks of wilful ignorance.


"I could use OpenOffice.org and remember to Save As all the time for everyone who uses MS products"

You're kidding right? Surely someone of your professed knowledge of Linux is completely aware that you can change OpenOffice to save in Microsoft formats by default with the click of a mouse?

Surely, you're aware that Delta Force has a platinum rating with wine? I'm assuming that you're aware that this game runs flawlessly on Linux? As a self-professed expert (refer to paragraph 6), I'm sure you're aware that double clicking on the install exe for your game in Ubuntu 9.10 will prompt you to install wine and then start the installation process for you? You've, you know, looked into it, right? Journalism? I've been running Delta Force since 2007 without a hitch.

I'm getting the feeling that you haven't really given any of this a go, have you? No lies now, lets be honest.

I find it annoying that you're using these examples as an attempt to support your argument, but you just haven't done a lick of research on it. You simply cannot use examples that completely contradict your argument. You're getting really slack Ken.

I remember first getting into the whole Linux thing years ago and reading your articles Ken. It really feels like you've given up the ghost.

[khakilang]

I been with Microsoft for almost 20 years now from DOS to now Windows and the product keep improving. But sadly everytime there is a new software you need to upgrade the hardware just to take advantage of some features you may not need. Not an advantage for people on a tight budget.

Security has not been improve since Window 98. Virus, spyware, malware etc. can find their way into Window system. Stability is also an issue since Window 98. Remember "Illegal Operation" on Window 98 and the blue screen of death on Window XP?

On the other hand I can run Linux on older machine and do most of my work. Until I feel a need to upgrade my hardware. Just imagine how many computers are save from disposing to the dump site which is destroying our environment. It is safe so far no virus of sort and its stable. Of course no software is perfect but I will put my money on Linux anytime.

[khess]

@deadjournalism

My versions of Delta Force are old. I run Delta Force 2 (1999) and the last time I tried (2007) when WINE was still in its 10 year beta cycle, it didn't work* like I wanted. I was using CentOS at the time. I haven't tried it on Ubuntu as you did, so maybe it would work. Yes, I know about OO.o's compatibility with MS Office. I'll have to go back and look at how I called myself an expert. What I have found is that there are lots of experts but few with any expertise.
My problem, for the past couple of years or so, is that I don't have time to tinker endlessly with something.
My yardstick is that if I can get Program A running within a couple of hours with moderate tinkering, dependency satisfaction and updating; the product gets a thumbs up. If it takes longer than that, then it's too difficult for Joe User and will not get a good review from me.
I'm not getting slack, I just don't have a lot of patience for things that don't work.

Here's the other thing: Who says Linux is supposed to be good for everything? It's a great server operating system, extremely stable, reliable, long uptimes and relatively low maintenance but OTOH, user-oriented Linux can be quite tricky and frustrating.
I could manage to get just about anything working that I want to get working but I'm not writing for me, I'm writing for other people and my readers, you included, need to know that Linux has its shortcomings and I won't pull any punches on that.
What you'll get here is honest, personal experiences with Linux--not just research that's been compiled into a lifeless article. That's why my readers keep coming back.

*BTW, DF2 installed fine with WINE, but the problem was my video that I could never fix. When I would move, the screen was slow to update and I just couldn't live with that. What I'm talking about is when you're playing and there's 'lag' -- it was like that only worse. Very choppy and 'swimmy'. I updated video drivers, tweaked them, messed with every setting possible, read forums and still no love for DF2. I have a family, a job and not much patience for multi-day, and often fruitless, troubleshooting ventures.

[dandart]

Ubuntu has the best hardware support I've ever seen.
It beats windows hands down!
Let's make this a clean fight.
Ubuntu has and will get one over on microsoft