XPost: comp.os.linux.advocacy   
   From: rsgibson@spambox.trap   
      
   On Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:01:26 -0400, Moshe Goldfarb wrote:   
      
   >>> She has to jump through all kinds of hoops to make it work.   
      
   >>The News Anchors did say that when the station contacted the college,   
   >>that the young lady in question would have no problem using Ubuntu with   
   >>all of their courses, and had everything they need.   
      
   > Nobody said Linux couldn't be made to work. In "most" cases it probably   
   > can.   
      
   > The question is, why bother?   
      
   Since UNIX is about 50 years mature it behooves one who is "learning" not   
   to do a half ass job of it. If this is Sally Secretary all she cares   
   about is if Word works OK.   
      
   Linux offers you a more powerful easy to manage OS. I'll give you an   
   example. Ever called M$ support on a tough issue. What is the standard   
   answer? Reinstall. In 17 years of using Linux I've never had to reinstall   
   one time.   
      
   > Why jump through hoops?   
      
   Unless the M$ OS is preinstalled I'll guarantee yaou will jump through   
   more "hoops" to get it going. Unless the machine is brand new hardware,   
   say just released (as in a new chipset or sound card) I can install   
   Slackware in approximately 1 hour and that will include many more   
   applications than a typical winders box.   
      
   > Why take the chance?   
      
   There are no chances to take unless you suscribe to the "A PC is just a   
   fancy microwave" ideaology.   
      
   Essentially the wotrld is divided into two general types:   
      
   1) Type 1: PC user. AKA power user, advanced user   
   2) Type 2: Data entry user   
      
   Type 1 is curious by nature abd like the challenge of solving problems   
   Type 2 could care less. All they want is word to work along with email   
   and web browsing.   
      
   > Other than a comp sci or maybe engineering student what is the logical   
   > reason other than some religious crusade to run Linux?   
      
   The freedom involved both in terrms of $$$ and the abiity to specialize   
   your workstation far more.   
      
   > Why take a chance hoping your documents or Powerpoint presentations   
   > translate?   
      
   Don't. Dual boot. I use both Linux and XP.   
      
   > Why take a chance that the odd application won't work?   
      
   There are no chances to take. Either a Linux app works or it doesn't. A   
   bad app doesn't crash the whole machine.   
      
   > And BTW when college cost upwards of $25k per year a $500.00 laptop   
   > loaded with the school's software isn't going to make much of a   
   > difference.   
      
   Untill it gets hit by a virus and you lose a whole years worth of work.   
      
   > There is no reason to run Linux at college other than being a CS student   
   > or trying to make yourself look like an oddball.   
      
   In your opinion...   
      
   I don't know why you would care anyway. Are you attempting to save the   
   world from itself?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)