Re: graphical file managers

Pablo Vieira wrote:

>Brad Hazledine wrote:
>
>>The Linux users groups are also very helpful and knowledgeable provided
>>
>that you do not
>
>>provoke them.
>>
>
>This is key to understand the Linux model, probably. When you pay for
>what you use, you have the right to feel bad when your software doesn't
>work and "yell" at the people that made you pay for something that
>doesn't work.
>
>The problem with Linux is that even if you paid your distro manufacturer
>for the box, he's not responsible for the software included in the
>distro, so who's the one to blame if something doesn't work?
>

Actually, some distros, if you buy the box at the store,
it comes with a tech-support contract: and those distros
also often allow you to purchase a tech-support contract
*separately* from the box.

As for the issue of a Warranty, correct me if I'm wrong,
but I don't think Micro$oft's stuff comses with one either.
Yes, you have the right to be mad at Micro$oft, but it
won't do you any good. The only recourse you have against
Micro$oft is to stop fattening their purse and switch to
Linux. As I do believe their stuff comes without warranty
as well.
--

>
>
>Is it reasonable to expect that a frustrated corporate user goes hunting
>for responses in user groups and tries to hide his or her frustration so
>he doesn't "provoke" the gurus?
>
Once again, you can purchase a tech-support contract from
someone. There's probably several different places where
you can purchase such a tech-support contract.
--

>
>
>Do Linux developers asume any responsibility at all for the software
>they write and offer to others? Is there any guarantee?
>
No, but neither does Micro$oft.

The difference is that if you try to fix a problem yourself,
Micro$oft ties your hands behind your back while Linux does
not.

Frankly, no party would want to assume such a responsibility.
It's a legal quagmire. You would risk not only being sued for
problems that your software actually causes, but also being
sued for stuff that your software is innocent of but blamed
for anyways.

But Linux at least has *other* measures to assure you that
the software won't ruin your machine or something. It allows
any third-party that is willing-and-able to inspect the code
for problems. True, that's not a 100% guarantee, but it's
sure better than any guarantee Micro$oft offers.
--