Windows vs. Linux
With the public availability of the Windows 7 the old fight of Windows vs. Linux has kicked back up, supporters screaming “Windows 7 will destroy desktop Linux” and the like. For example while researching links for this blog I found one that I had not seen (but not the post I was looking for, go figure) Windows 7 is enough to kill Desktop Linux which raises some interesting points, none neccessarily incorrect but all speculation. I take exception to the evangelicals that have to go to the mountain top to proclaim the death of desktop linux and here’s why:
- Linux has a relatively small marketshare, from what I understand less than 1% on Home Computers. The fact of the matter is, Linux is not, and will never be, a primetime OS as all the things to learn in it are more than what most consumers feel up to. However this is also Linux’s strength, those of us who have begun to really use and understand Linux do so out of our own passion for technology and learning; We like the raw power at our hands and the ability to change our own destiny, rather than bow down to a company and pay a sum of money for software that they have developed we like to develop our own. This is a major point to be considered, I can sit down and have a great idea for a program I’d like to have, write it, license it using GNU / GPL / LGPL (and the list goes on) distribute the source code and probably find someone out there to help me maintain the software, this alone would keep Linux going should there ever be a “true” fight.
- Each user has different requirements. I myself develop web applications that are deployed on Linux servers and as such setting up a testing environment (in which I can also develop) that mirrors production is invaluable, it saves me time and heaches and I’m sure there are dozens more of you that understand what I’m getting at here.
- Whatever Microsoft or Apple comes out with that’s shiny and powerful will soon be ported to Linux either via official ports (such as Adobe Air and Flash) or via open source initiatives (such as Mono for example.) So saying that Microsoft has the upper hand is really a matter of relative timing.
- Security, if security is a big deal then Windows is not neccessarily the best idea. I will not say that Linux is secure or that Windows is by default insecure, but there are benefits to flying under the radar. Mac has enjoyed those benefits for years and now that they are gaining market share exploits and viruses are starting to emerge on a semi regular basis.
- Cost, Windows can cost quite a large sum whereas the main cost with Linux is support and time.
- Stability, regardless of how much better 7 is in comparison to Vista, Linux has the longterm record on stability, there are boxes still on the web that have been running years, I’d like to see that happen with Windows (consider this a wishlist item rather than direct cricism.)
- Education, when I first started using Linux in the late 90’s I had an issue with the fact that I had a hard time to find people to help me locally. As my generation of early Linux users are starting to age and have kids our children will pick up what we have to offer them and utilize it.
- Community, how many Windows User Groups are there? I can’t imagine too many, however most localities have a LUG (Linux User Group) where us Geeks/Nerds/etc can come together and meet other users/developers.
- Last and most important, because there is no Windows vs. Linux fight, at least not outside of the minds of those in Redmond and those that haven’t bought into their propoganda. Linux is distribute in such a way that the philosophy is basically “Ehh if you want to use it there it is, I’ll help you if you need” whereas Windows is crammed down our throat via Advertising and a fear of being outdated and vulnerable. Those of us who really use Linux because of the ideals it represent love, care, and support Linux, while some of us are a bit snobby about our OS at the end of the day we all realize everyone has to do and use whatever they feel comfortable with; As such we will be here for a very long time supporting, maintaining, and otherwise caring for Linux.
At the end of the day blogs, such as the one posted above, are an insult, not to Linux nor Windows or anything other than the authors intelligence, reason being because they simply don’t understand the real dynamic behind Linux nor how it’s distributed. To say that Linux is threatened by Windows, or even OSX, is complete poppycock for Windows to be threatening there has to be a conflict or competition, to the best of my knowledge no such competition exists nor should it ever.
The reality at the end of the day
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