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Story: How to talk to Microsoft about Linux

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Posted by: David Morgan (Wednesday 16 June 2004, 7:05 PM)

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Response to Ben Noble -
I believe your aversion to GUIs in Linux stems from the your comfort with Windows. A GUI in Linux can be varied depending on what window manager you use, what desktop environment if you use one at all, and widget set. Some GUIs (not a great term but to not introduce too many new terms) try to emulate a Windows environment (XPDE), others a Windows environment with customizability (KDE), a Windows-like environment but going for high usability and having things "just work" (GNOME), and others nothing like Windows at all (Fluxbox). Still others try to get rid of the mouse altogether (ratpoison). The point of all this is that if you use a graphical environment in Linux it will not be Windows. Repeat, it will not be Windows. So you must learn the environment first. The most important thing is that you the user have a choice on what environment to use, unlike Windows where you're stuck with Explorer unless you go for somewhat unstable hacks and overlays.

And not all Linux GUIs are ugly; check out http://www.dropline.net/gnome/optical/dropline-3.png. And even if it is ugly, it is the user who has made that decision. Some environments go for substance over style (ratpoison again). So instead of critizing trivial things such as the way things look, focus on more important aspects of the OS.

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Full Talkback thread

Story: How to talk to Microsoft about Linux

  1. I am sorry to have to be the one to break your bub... Michael Kingston
  2. Hey Michael Kingston! You should check your f... Another 'Linux Zealot'
  3. this is the first time ive posted here, i don... kre
  4. Well, sorry to burst your own bubble, but I'm afra... Mathias De Maré
  5. That isn't true. Windows isn't secure and it has t... Anonymous
  6. Oh, and something I forgot to mention: the fact th... Mathias De Maré
  7. i'm sorry Mike, but you need to learn and use Linu... Edward
  8. Linux is the kind of operating system that has suc... J Hill
  9. "You should very well know that not even 1 percent... paleo
  10. All these arguments about security and which OS is... Allister Jenks
  11. There is much ignorance about the issue of Linux a... Henry G
  12. Actually, its the arrogant attitude of superiority... Anonymous
  13. This article is interestingly biased towards Linux... Derek R.
  14. haha this is getting funny. Whoever posted this an... Raab
  15. This is a crazy article, so obviously biased that... John Allen
  16. I agree with John Allen. This article was poorly g... David Wright
  17. Sigh... It's a straightforward article really. Ask... Arthur B.
  18. To Anonymous USA, the network administrator. We ar... Jack Mac
  19. Don't forget to ask about the cost of CAL (client... Dan Kegel
  20. Not to mention, on the interoperability front Can... Anonymous
  21. I like the idea that one linux club came up with.... Jerry Watson
  22. Since we seem to be having a Linux Vs Windows deba... Ben Noble
  23. Oh, and to illustrate my point about the User Inte... Ben Noble
  24. I am going to introduce you all to a concept that... Anonymous
  25. After reading these messages, you see M$ shills sp... Kiko
  26. Wow Derek. Spokken like someone who chooses someth... Jeff Stone
  27. Just a response to Kiko's message.... "Newsflash:... Ben Noble
  28. Cheri
  29. Response to Ben Noble - I believe your aversion to... David Morgan
  30. Ben Noble - As for example provided... It is not a... David Morgan
  31. Mike believes that the "reason Microsoft has more... Qaz Zaq
  32. I have used Windows 95, NT, 98, NT4, 98se, Me, 200... Qaz Zaq
  33. Hmm, I use both. I've been around personal compute... jimcooncat
  34. Dear: Ben Noble I would like to thank you, I find... Samuel Warren
  35. "My point is, that Windows is more user friendly,... Ben Noble
  36. I just read this web page: http://www.microsoft.co... Ian MacGregor
  37. It's just beginning! Kikki Bona Sijabat
  38. I'd like to tell microsoft a idea i had and was th... Anonymous
  39. we have been using the internet and this sign abou... Anonymous
  40. Site - very comprehensive and meticulous from all... Phentermine

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