Re: graphical file managers

I have tried SO hard to stay out of this...

> It's essentially thoughtless.  The folks who do all the work
> have no idea what it's like to live with this infernal OS.

On the contrary, they know exactly what it is like to work with this
"infernal OS". I use it at work, I use it at home. Linux has annoyances,
Windows has annoyances.

>
> Before going on a geek rant, please accept that we use lots of Linux in
> our office. But only for tasks which require no human intervention.
> Just try dealing with CorelDraw files, DOS accounting systems, thousands
> of spam messages daily, files on floppies, Excel files, on-line video,
> laptop computers, dot matrix printers, broken Linux applications etc,
> for just a week, and you'll be ready to throw Linux into the river.

You might want to try OpenOffice 1.1. It has some very cool features. As
far as spam goes, I in fact do have to deal with thousands of spam
messages as well as copious quantities of virii. Procmail and spamassassin
do an excellent job of both filtering junk mail and clobbering executables
and other dubious files.

> Don't tell me that these problems are not Linux, they're X or whatever.
>   My mind is made up. I don't want to hear it.  Windows, and Windows
> applications like Explorer or CorelDraw or Word, are way more
> thoughtful. Like you can't even put a Google button on a Linux browser,
> for crying out loud!  Now what's that all about?  Or how about trying to
> set up an outgoing email with  that clueless Mozilla mail package?  Or
> what about the goofy calendar dates in Linux applications?

We got rid of Outlook Express and Outlook as well as Internet Explorer for
the admin staff that still run Windows for obvious reasons. They were
happily using Mozilla for browsing and email and it certainly was not
difficult at all to set up. I recently switched them to Firebird and
Thunderbird.

bash-2.05a$ date
Wed Oct 15 10:35:06 EDT 2003

> Or what
> about the Linux developers who tell you to get lost if you have a
> problem with a component? Yuck! Honestly, trying to interface with Linux
> is like trying to interface with a bad-tempered drunk with a hangover.

I have actually been astounded at the support that I have received when
contacting a developer regarding a particular problem. It has been my
experience that they are more than happy to help. The Linux users groups
are also very helpful and knowledgeable provided that you do not provoke
them.

Thanks.

Brad Hazledine <[email protected]>
Caledon Card Services