Is Windows ready for desktop use?
It's getting closer every year..
Friday, May 27, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Quite regularly we see articles that talk about Linux as a desktop OS. Most of the time, they're entitled "Linux not quite ready for desktop use.." or something like that. That's because they're written from the perspective of someone who's using Windows.
But what if it were the other way around? What if Linux were the dominant OS? How might Windows be reviewed then? NewsForge has just such a review. Enjoy..
JeremyG
Reply #2 Saturday, May 28, 2005 12:26 AM
Reply #2 Saturday, May 28, 2005 12:26 AM
It's not an OS review, it's a complaint that a product made several years ago doesnt have drivers for 2 specific pieces of hardward.
I also see no mention of installing the lastest "build" of Windows XP (SP2) as I'm sure he has done that for his linux installations.
How sad is it that some people actually think that article has merit. I almost can't believe how much the "free software" people have become so deluded as to even acknowledge stuff like this. Maybe it's just a weird attempt at humor or something, but as long that type of attitude remains the focus of their community....well, we'll see i suppose.
I also see no mention of installing the lastest "build" of Windows XP (SP2) as I'm sure he has done that for his linux installations.
How sad is it that some people actually think that article has merit. I almost can't believe how much the "free software" people have become so deluded as to even acknowledge stuff like this. Maybe it's just a weird attempt at humor or something, but as long that type of attitude remains the focus of their community....well, we'll see i suppose.
starkers
Reply #3 Saturday, May 28, 2005 1:42 AM
Reply #3 Saturday, May 28, 2005 1:42 AM
I noted that the linked article is filed under humor, so I took it that it was mostly a tongue in cheek way to highlight some of Windows XP's shortcomings, according to another OS user. I guess the crux of the issue is that like any OS, XP has its pros and cons, but if we predominantly use only one OS, we do not notice what may be lacking in relation to others. I have only ever used Win98SE and WinXP, so I have not the qualifications to merit or demerit any other OS, but I have an open mind and have a copy of Linux/Fedrora Core3 to investigate. In the event that I like using it, a dual boot system will be an option to enjoy the best of both worlds, given the exclusive relationship between Stardock and MS, my abject refusal to forego the enjoyment of WC customization.
Unlike others (I suspect), I'm not a proactive Windows supporter and detractor of other OS's because they aren't Stardock compatible. Rather, I stick with what I know, but open to technologies other than MS.
In answer to the question, yes, Windows is ready, but like any other OS, there's always room for improvement because human needs are ever growing.
Unlike others (I suspect), I'm not a proactive Windows supporter and detractor of other OS's because they aren't Stardock compatible. Rather, I stick with what I know, but open to technologies other than MS.
In answer to the question, yes, Windows is ready, but like any other OS, there's always room for improvement because human needs are ever growing.
thedon808
Reply #4 Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:41 AM
Reply #4 Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:41 AM
ok that's quite funny. A few good points some may not be true on other machines though. But why do things like this always turn out into a fight between linux, mac, and windows?
i dont want to start another fight, but windows isnt that bad for the average user or else it wouldn't be the most common os? linux is good for servers thats why its used on lots of servers. and macs well there good for creative things (although windows is catching fast) but you have to but a mac to use osx! which is one reason mac isnt more widely used. all operating systems CAN be easy to use it depends which youve used most. last comment ive only used 3 linux distros (fedora core1, ubuntu, and puppy) none of which look nice from the outset, osx looks nice, xp look nice (its a look common now, thats why people want to change it)you can get nice skins from the web why not 'ship' with a nice one?
i dont want to start another fight, but windows isnt that bad for the average user or else it wouldn't be the most common os? linux is good for servers thats why its used on lots of servers. and macs well there good for creative things (although windows is catching fast) but you have to but a mac to use osx! which is one reason mac isnt more widely used. all operating systems CAN be easy to use it depends which youve used most. last comment ive only used 3 linux distros (fedora core1, ubuntu, and puppy) none of which look nice from the outset, osx looks nice, xp look nice (its a look common now, thats why people want to change it)you can get nice skins from the web why not 'ship' with a nice one?
thedon808
Reply #5 Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:43 AM
Reply #5 Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:43 AM
ok that's quite funny. A few good points some may not be true on other machines though. But why do things like this always turn out into a fight between linux, mac, and windows?
i dont want to start another fight, but windows isnt that bad for the average user or else it wouldn't be the most common os? linux is good for servers thats why its used on lots of servers. and macs well there good for creative things (although windows is catching fast) but you have to but a mac to use osx! which is one reason mac isnt more widely used. all operating systems CAN be easy to use it depends which youve used most. last comment ive only used 3 linux distros (fedora core1, ubuntu, and puppy) none of which look nice from the outset, osx looks nice, xp look nice (its a look common now, thats why people want to change it)you can get nice skins from the web why not 'ship' with a nice one?
i dont want to start another fight, but windows isnt that bad for the average user or else it wouldn't be the most common os? linux is good for servers thats why its used on lots of servers. and macs well there good for creative things (although windows is catching fast) but you have to but a mac to use osx! which is one reason mac isnt more widely used. all operating systems CAN be easy to use it depends which youve used most. last comment ive only used 3 linux distros (fedora core1, ubuntu, and puppy) none of which look nice from the outset, osx looks nice, xp look nice (its a look common now, thats why people want to change it)you can get nice skins from the web why not 'ship' with a nice one?
paxx
Reply #6 Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:46 AM
Of course it's not. It's just humour, exactly as it says above the title.
Reply #6 Saturday, May 28, 2005 8:46 AM
| It's not an OS review |
Of course it's not. It's just humour, exactly as it says above the title.
whiterabbit007
Reply #7 Saturday, May 28, 2005 5:22 PM
Reply #7 Saturday, May 28, 2005 5:22 PM
There are some good points in this article, which hopefully people don't take too seriously 
. It's really a shame that Windows doesn't come with at least some sort of basic productivity software, and WordPad ain't it. I mean when you have so many great Notepad alternatives, such as EditPad or EditPlus, how hard is it to add some new features to Notepad? And would it kill them to upgrade Paint to something semi-useful. Anyway, despite whatever problems Windows still has it has come a long way since version 3.1, and if Microsoft would be a bit more willing to look to its userbase for some creative ideas on how to make it better maybe someday day we'd buy Windows because we want to and not because we have to.
. It's really a shame that Windows doesn't come with at least some sort of basic productivity software, and WordPad ain't it. I mean when you have so many great Notepad alternatives, such as EditPad or EditPlus, how hard is it to add some new features to Notepad? And would it kill them to upgrade Paint to something semi-useful. Anyway, despite whatever problems Windows still has it has come a long way since version 3.1, and if Microsoft would be a bit more willing to look to its userbase for some creative ideas on how to make it better maybe someday day we'd buy Windows because we want to and not because we have to.
werewolf
Reply #8 Sunday, May 29, 2005 10:51 AM
Reply #8 Sunday, May 29, 2005 10:51 AM
After playing around with the live CD of SimplyMepis, I installed it as dual boot. I'm not bashing/trashing anything, but...
It took me hours to set up an MS network with Win98, W2K and WinKP machines and lots of hair pulling to get it to work correctly. The linux installation didn't require any work at all other than to type in the name of the workgroup. That was a pleasant surprise. MS and Linux both have shortcomings and they also both have good points.
It's nice that, with linux, I can set up three computers in my house and not have to take out a 2nd mortgage.
I haven't cast off MS because some of my favorite apps are from Stardock and there are no linux equivalents.
It took me hours to set up an MS network with Win98, W2K and WinKP machines and lots of hair pulling to get it to work correctly. The linux installation didn't require any work at all other than to type in the name of the workgroup. That was a pleasant surprise. MS and Linux both have shortcomings and they also both have good points.
It's nice that, with linux, I can set up three computers in my house and not have to take out a 2nd mortgage.
I haven't cast off MS because some of my favorite apps are from Stardock and there are no linux equivalents.
wombatDK
Reply #9 Sunday, May 29, 2005 10:01 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, May 29, 2005 10:01 PM
Quite humorous article, that. I love (and use) both Linsux and Winblows - so much that I'd hazard to label them both as "big piles of S**T"
TheD2JBug
Reply #10 Monday, May 30, 2005 11:35 AM
Reply #10 Monday, May 30, 2005 11:35 AM
That article is funny if inaccurate. I have a Compaq Presario 3120CA laptop and from all reports the only way I'll be able to use my Broadcom ( which is a big name ) 802.11g adapter with linux is to wrap the Windows driver into Linux. Hardly PnP , no?
Selective bias for the OSS/linux fanboys strikes again.
Selective bias for the OSS/linux fanboys strikes again.
Dragger201
Reply #11 Friday, June 3, 2005 7:07 AM
Reply #11 Friday, June 3, 2005 7:07 AM
Just my opinion(like my butt, everybody else has one).....but some of the "shortcomings" mentioned(lack of bundled software) are things that over the years Microsoft has been on the rack about.......
Granted, when MS bundles(Internet Explorer) you don't have the option to not install it, doesn't stop you from using Firefox or someother browser.
Granted, when MS bundles(Internet Explorer) you don't have the option to not install it, doesn't stop you from using Firefox or someother browser.
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Reply #1 Friday, May 27, 2005 9:40 PM