Re: Open Source was Re: New to the list

 you've taken the step up to the Dvorak keyboard, now it is time to go all

the way and switch to open source software...Linux, BsD etc. the
difference is about the same as Qwerty vs Dvorak.

Bob







---------

I periodically go back and try them out. I'd hardly say the difference is
similar.

While I would like the initiative to succeed, I wont be an active supporter
until some large items get addressed.

First, installation of software is horrid. Even dealing with Mandake type
installers - or even better - the Ubuntu software library - feels sometimes
like I have to have a PHD in Linux software. Then, when something goes
wrong, it's a nightmare to figure out why and how to fix it. Some fixes even
go as far as to give instructions like "edit the source and modify the
hardware properties of XYZ".

Yuck.

Or, the classic -
Go to install package A
"You need Package B"
Google package B
Find it (maybe)
Install B
"You need package C and D"
etc...

I've spent entire evenings just trying to install software.

Yuck.

And then, it gets even better! I run my AIM program (GAIM at the time) and
then start up my music player.
"Cannot access the sound device because another application has locked the
device"
OK fine, disable sound in GAIM. Now, I get my tunes going...
Open a game - "Cannot access the sound device because another application
has locked it"

So, I go searching for fixes. There is a Unified Linux Sound Architecture
(or something like that) and guess what? To use it, I have to edit and
recompile each application I want to give access to it at the same time.

---

Now, don't get me wrong, I really do think that having an open source O/S is
a big win for consumers, but that O/S has to come a long way until I adopt
it. The ability to use my existing programs will be big amongst that
requirement as well. And WINE, LINDOWS and XWindows are still too buggy.

So, at the end of January, I gave MS another 250$ for their O/S.

Because it works.

--Keith


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