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Feature: Linux
Microsoft asks Linux users, "How can we get your business?'
By Robin 'Roblimo' Miller
on
December 21, 2003 (8:00:00 AM)
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Microsoft has started distributing two online surveys to Linux User Groups and Linux users in general, one asking primarily about home computer use, the other about business use. They apparently don't plan to release the results of their surveys, so we and other people in the open source community are asking you to look at them and post your answers and comments here and on other appropriate sites where, in open source style, everyone can see them. Read on for more information and links, and please help spread the word about these surveys; as far as we know, this is the first time Microsoft has asked Linux users why we use Linux instead of their products, and the more results, the merrier. Author's Note: I'll reveal some of *my* answers to Microsoft's questions in a comment I'll post shortly after this story goes live, just to kick things off.
We heard about this survey through an email sent to a LUG mailing list that was passed on to us. The email started with these lines:
A follow-up message in response to a fellow OSDN employee who emailed to ask, "Have you contacted just our LUG, or more than one?" said:
I am a program manager at Microsoft doing some research around how we can improve our operating systems. My goal is to help us identify capabilities, improvements, and features that Microsoft should be focusing on to help our customers over the next 5 years or so.It was signed by "Michael Surkan," using the "Reply To" address lnq@microsoft.com.
I am particularly interested in hearing from Linux users, and get their input about what they feel should be the priorities. In particular, I would like to better understand what it is that makes Linux and Open Source solutions so useful for you.
A follow-up message in response to a fellow OSDN employee who emailed to ask, "Have you contacted just our LUG, or more than one?" said:
From: frankwilliams291@hotmail.com (Frank Williams)So go ahead, make Frank and Michael happy by answering the questions. But please don't forget to share at least a few selected answers with others, either here on NewsForge or on other Linux/open source news and community sites.
To: [name and email address removed]
Thanks so much for agreeing to share your ideas about Linux. Unfortunately, Michael Surkan (the Microsoft program manager who contacted your Linux user group) is a bit overwhelmed with e-mail right now, so I volunteered to help him by sending the survey URLs to people who want to take his survey. I hope you don't mind.
Michael has put together some on-line surveys to make it easier to collect your answers.
One survey asks questions about Linux in the home environment. The other survey asks what makes Linux a great option at work. You can take whichever survey you feel you have the most knowledge about. Feel free to take both surveys if you wish. Or none at all. :)
On-line survey about Linux in the home:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=17174325370&c=2206
On-line survey about Linux at work:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=2550325411&c=2206
Thanks,
Frank Williams
Comments
on Microsoft asks Linux users, "How can we get your business?'Note: Comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for their content.
Interesting. I don't intend to submit my answers to Microsoft because I am unwilling to allow them to use them on any terms but my own. But I went through the survey before I read your responses. My top two improvements to Windows were:
"Release the source code under either the GNU Public License or the BSD license. Stop introducing security holes and calling them features."
One of the things that is obvious about this survey is that it is a fishing expedition for weak points in Linux and the open source community that Microsoft can exploit. Because the survey was not offered honestly, I hope that no one is offering them honest answers.
"Release the source code under either the GNU Public License or the BSD license. Stop introducing security holes and calling them features."
One of the things that is obvious about this survey is that it is a fishing expedition for weak points in Linux and the open source community that Microsoft can exploit. Because the survey was not offered honestly, I hope that no one is offering them honest answers.
Intriquing... so you're saying that it is best to stoop to their level of lying to even the score, by using their tactics against them.. I like that tactic, actually.. just remember that when it all boils down to it, those with true business sense will see the true holes to 'exploit', and we all know that Gates is the dictator of that arena.
I think what he was suggesting was nothing of the sort. He wasn't saying to lie, he was saying he didn't fill out the survey and wouldn't suggest anyone does either.
One of the things that is obvious about this survey is that it is a fishing expedition for weak points in Linux and the open source community that Microsoft can exploit I have no doubt that this would be true .
Trust m$, never .
I bet hes hoping for all the newbie comments.To say look how hard it is to install.
I notice hes hell bent on making the dummies agree to his Legal Agreement. If they were really just interested in comments to help them make m$ better there is absolutly no need for a Legal Agreement. Fishy is the comment here
Trust m$, never .
I bet hes hoping for all the newbie comments.To say look how hard it is to install.
I notice hes hell bent on making the dummies agree to his Legal Agreement. If they were really just interested in comments to help them make m$ better there is absolutly no need for a Legal Agreement. Fishy is the comment here
I don't know about the more intuitive and simpler to understand part. I find Linux's intuitive part acceptable but there could be major improvements especially in system configuration and management department. There are definitely a lot of little quarks that will frustrate the average user.
- I don't know about the more intuitive and simpler to understand part. I find Linux's intuitive part acceptable but there could be major improvements especially in system configuration and management department. There are definitely a lot of little quarks that will frustrate the average user.
As there are with Windows. Most of the problems I see with either are the same, with most of the benifits being on the Linux side. Some things under Windows take an extreme effort to discover if it is at all possible, while they are out in the open with Linux.
Well, perhaps it's true, but what Linux lacks is hardware producers' support. And often it comes to situation, when user has to create it's own ModeLines to make his monitor work as he wants or other strange things which have more to do with general computer knowledge than system itself.
I know that it's not Linux creators' fault, but a "status quo" is a "status quo".
Also - frontends for most system and application settings are really poor or non-existent. Whatever you do, it always ends in hand editing some strange configuration text files. It's unacceptable.
I know that it's not Linux creators' fault, but a "status quo" is a "status quo".
Also - frontends for most system and application settings are really poor or non-existent. Whatever you do, it always ends in hand editing some strange configuration text files. It's unacceptable.
Unacceptable? Why?
I have been using some form of Unix for twenty years. I use Linux because it is Unix-compatible and
it happens to be pretty good in most respects.
it happens to be pretty good in most respects.
I know lots of folks have said, "Don't take the survey!" But I really couldn't help but reply to the lats couple of questions:
How to improve Windows?
Improve the company that makes Windows: Were we to develop a multimedia product for Linux, we could be far more certain that our Linux vendor would not eventually take over the whole market pie (like a Commie Dictator) by obscuring the API to Linux and using other draconian tactics.
You have embittered the very people who once rallied to your banner and helped you build a once great product. We don't fear Open Source for any reason; We fear Microsoft.
How to improve Linux:
Take over 99.9% of the consumer, embedded, laptop, desktop and server markets -- faster than it has been. Put the Destroyer of free and open computing markets out of business. BTW, this survey feels like being watched by an All Seeing Eye...
Great chance to express 5+ years of bitterness. Thanks, Microsoft researchers!
How to improve Windows?
Improve the company that makes Windows: Were we to develop a multimedia product for Linux, we could be far more certain that our Linux vendor would not eventually take over the whole market pie (like a Commie Dictator) by obscuring the API to Linux and using other draconian tactics.
You have embittered the very people who once rallied to your banner and helped you build a once great product. We don't fear Open Source for any reason; We fear Microsoft.
How to improve Linux:
Take over 99.9% of the consumer, embedded, laptop, desktop and server markets -- faster than it has been. Put the Destroyer of free and open computing markets out of business. BTW, this survey feels like being watched by an All Seeing Eye...
Great chance to express 5+ years of bitterness. Thanks, Microsoft researchers!
software install/uninstall is cleaner, but it's a PAIN IN THE ARSE!! and if you're using deb or rpm, it isn't cleaner at all! this is the one area where mickeysoft has it almost right, or at least a whole heck of a lot better than the free software cadre.
What is wrong with software uninstall with<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.debs? Personally, I've had to manually purge software from Windows without help from the uninstaller far more often than I've had to do for Linux when using Debian packages. I've had to manually uninstall both Office 97 and Office 2000 to fix installer problems, as well as countless 'free' and shareware programs from the Internet, along with the Novell Groupwise client, in-house developed applications, etc. I believe I've had problems uninstalling a Debian package once because of a prerm script that wouldn't complete.
Disagree vehemently. Apt and friends stomp all over install.exe or whatever.
I know *exactly* what files are included in the<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.deb, and where they are going to go. I can see them, browse the install package, if I have to.
In the very rare event that an uninstall barfs, I can find the problem and fix it.
When I update my system, *all* the software is updated if there are updates available, I don't have to do an update for this vendor's stuff, another for that vendor's stuff, and then there's those guys, and<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...
No way in hell am I giving up apt and friends.
I know *exactly* what files are included in the<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.deb, and where they are going to go. I can see them, browse the install package, if I have to.
In the very rare event that an uninstall barfs, I can find the problem and fix it.
When I update my system, *all* the software is updated if there are updates available, I don't have to do an update for this vendor's stuff, another for that vendor's stuff, and then there's those guys, and<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...
No way in hell am I giving up apt and friends.
I personal don't like rpm never have from my first install of linux . I use slackware and make my own packages with checkinstall or makepkg . But even witht he rpms you can look in the darn package and see where everything got installed and remove it . M$ if the app doesn't have the unistall feature then its hard to find out how to get rid of it .
Most ppl don't bother to read on how to install or unistall they expect it to all be done for them by hand like a baby.
I never tought I could make packages<nobr> <wbr></nobr>,fix configs<nobr> <wbr></nobr>,recompile the kernel , and tons of other stuff as I can now . Thanks to linux I've learned more in the time of using it than I ever could have in the same time I used m$ .
Also the support is greater than any for m$ and cost is horendous for m$ . It amazing how great linux is with little driver support for hardware from the manf. There are a few user friendly versions for the newbie but even when ppl told me to first try redhat I liked slackware and found it easier . The great part of linux is there is a lot of distributions to try lots of chioces
Most ppl don't bother to read on how to install or unistall they expect it to all be done for them by hand like a baby.
I never tought I could make packages<nobr> <wbr></nobr>,fix configs<nobr> <wbr></nobr>,recompile the kernel , and tons of other stuff as I can now . Thanks to linux I've learned more in the time of using it than I ever could have in the same time I used m$ .
Also the support is greater than any for m$ and cost is horendous for m$ . It amazing how great linux is with little driver support for hardware from the manf. There are a few user friendly versions for the newbie but even when ppl told me to first try redhat I liked slackware and found it easier . The great part of linux is there is a lot of distributions to try lots of chioces
my comment:
You guys could do many things better:
A) open your communication protocols
B) describe your file format ( example: MS WORD )
C) stop playing dirty games ( DR DOS, REALPLAYER, JAVA MS extension, KERBEROS extension.... etc etc) Unfortunately, plating dirty genes is embedded in your genes ( B.Gates, Ballmer) and I do not think you will change....
D) be HONEST/FAIR on the market ( the word "honesty" is UNKNOWN to MS)
When you do ALL from above, I will re-think my decision of NOT using WINDOWS
You guys could do many things better:
A) open your communication protocols
B) describe your file format ( example: MS WORD )
C) stop playing dirty games ( DR DOS, REALPLAYER, JAVA MS extension, KERBEROS extension.... etc etc) Unfortunately, plating dirty genes is embedded in your genes ( B.Gates, Ballmer) and I do not think you will change....
D) be HONEST/FAIR on the market ( the word "honesty" is UNKNOWN to MS)
When you do ALL from above, I will re-think my decision of NOT using WINDOWS
I did actually fill out the survey myself. I've been a long time Unix/Linux user and really don't see the harm in filling out the survey even if it is a fishing expedition for Microsoft to find holes in the Linux/Unix community.
Really, in the survey the only two negatives I had against Linux/Unix is that it needs to have better multimedia/gaming support and that it needs to be more streamlined. The first problem with Linux not having as good of gaming and multimedia support as Windows is really only a weakness if you're using your system to play games. As far as being more sreamlined, Linux has come a very long way in this department. Both Gnome and KDE are far more streamlined and more organized then in the past. The very existence of Gnome and KDE made linux far easier for the end user. But I still think the Linux community should agree to use either Gnome or KDE as a default desktop and put the other desktop as an alternative for those who prefer it. Whichever desktop is chosen as the default should be the default desktop on all the major distros. Then great effort should be placed on cleaning the desktop up and fixing all the major glitches bugs and features making them seamless to the end user.
As for Microsoft's own operating system, I had far more negative things to say about it. Firstly, security!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Microsoft has become far too lax in regard to security. Their entire OS is almost retardly designed to be as insecure as possible. In order to attain any level of security with the latest versions of Microsoft Windows you have to apply tons of patches and registry tweaks to get anywhere near the security level provided by Unix/Linux. Even when all the tweaks and updated and patches are installed you are still vulnerable to Viruses, worms, and spyware that are virutally non-existent in the Linux world.
Contrary to what many think, Linux inspite having many security holes of it's own is still far more secure then Microsoft Windows will ever be. For one thing, Linux doesn't automatically make every program you download executable. You have to manually make it executable in many cases. Secondly, a user on a Unix/Linux system can only modify files that they created or that they have full read/write/execute abilities over. They cannot modify critical system files without logging on with root access. Taking advantage of security flaws in Unix/Linux requires a much more in depth understanding of the operating system then in the Windows environment. Therefore, in the Unix/Linux world there are far fewer people who know how to exploit the weaknesses.
Additionally, security flaws in Linux are generally resolved much more rapidly then in the Microsoft world. Though there have been a few cases of security flaws taking a while to be patched in Linux, this tends to be the excveption rather then the rule. Furthermore, there are many Linux distros available each of which implements things differently. Because Linux is less predictable due to the many flavors available, it is also harder to hack.
In summary, Linux is far more secure, catching up in usability and multimedia, and makes a far better platform in a server environment then Microsoft Windows. I have had months upon months of uptime with my Red Hat Linux and Sun Boxes which would be unthinkable if the same systems ran Microsoft Windows. I never run into viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, or large amounts of spam that others experience. Unix/Linux is just a better platform!!
Microsoft cannot threaten Linux the way it has with its other competition. I will never go back to using Microsoft Windows as my primary OS ever again. Linux has few weaknesses. Microsoft has many! Eventually, I believe that Linux will win the war and that Microsoft Windows will start to lose a substantial amount of its userbase. Though I believe there will always be a Microsoft Windows Operating System I do not believe that it will dominate to the degree it has in the past.
Really, in the survey the only two negatives I had against Linux/Unix is that it needs to have better multimedia/gaming support and that it needs to be more streamlined. The first problem with Linux not having as good of gaming and multimedia support as Windows is really only a weakness if you're using your system to play games. As far as being more sreamlined, Linux has come a very long way in this department. Both Gnome and KDE are far more streamlined and more organized then in the past. The very existence of Gnome and KDE made linux far easier for the end user. But I still think the Linux community should agree to use either Gnome or KDE as a default desktop and put the other desktop as an alternative for those who prefer it. Whichever desktop is chosen as the default should be the default desktop on all the major distros. Then great effort should be placed on cleaning the desktop up and fixing all the major glitches bugs and features making them seamless to the end user.
As for Microsoft's own operating system, I had far more negative things to say about it. Firstly, security!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Microsoft has become far too lax in regard to security. Their entire OS is almost retardly designed to be as insecure as possible. In order to attain any level of security with the latest versions of Microsoft Windows you have to apply tons of patches and registry tweaks to get anywhere near the security level provided by Unix/Linux. Even when all the tweaks and updated and patches are installed you are still vulnerable to Viruses, worms, and spyware that are virutally non-existent in the Linux world.
Contrary to what many think, Linux inspite having many security holes of it's own is still far more secure then Microsoft Windows will ever be. For one thing, Linux doesn't automatically make every program you download executable. You have to manually make it executable in many cases. Secondly, a user on a Unix/Linux system can only modify files that they created or that they have full read/write/execute abilities over. They cannot modify critical system files without logging on with root access. Taking advantage of security flaws in Unix/Linux requires a much more in depth understanding of the operating system then in the Windows environment. Therefore, in the Unix/Linux world there are far fewer people who know how to exploit the weaknesses.
Additionally, security flaws in Linux are generally resolved much more rapidly then in the Microsoft world. Though there have been a few cases of security flaws taking a while to be patched in Linux, this tends to be the excveption rather then the rule. Furthermore, there are many Linux distros available each of which implements things differently. Because Linux is less predictable due to the many flavors available, it is also harder to hack.
In summary, Linux is far more secure, catching up in usability and multimedia, and makes a far better platform in a server environment then Microsoft Windows. I have had months upon months of uptime with my Red Hat Linux and Sun Boxes which would be unthinkable if the same systems ran Microsoft Windows. I never run into viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, or large amounts of spam that others experience. Unix/Linux is just a better platform!!
Microsoft cannot threaten Linux the way it has with its other competition. I will never go back to using Microsoft Windows as my primary OS ever again. Linux has few weaknesses. Microsoft has many! Eventually, I believe that Linux will win the war and that Microsoft Windows will start to lose a substantial amount of its userbase. Though I believe there will always be a Microsoft Windows Operating System I do not believe that it will dominate to the degree it has in the past.
Well written. One comment, however: I don't think it's possible to choose one desktop over the other at this stage in the game, because of the fact that there are really good applications written for both of them.
> "Taking advantage of security flaws in Unix/Linux requires a much more in depth understanding of the operating system then in the Windows environment."
Really..? why.
I think the oposite, having source code and an open environment makes it less hard to exploit these vulnerabilities.. atleast not harder than on windows..
The open nature for me is very natural, it results in more transparancy for bug fixing as well as bug exploiting..
It's also sad why some people say open source code is bad for security, nonsense.
If it is bad for security then this is probably something statistical, it cannot be proven at all, and if it were statistically more vulnerable, I'd still prefer the natural open source model.
Really..? why.
I think the oposite, having source code and an open environment makes it less hard to exploit these vulnerabilities.. atleast not harder than on windows..
The open nature for me is very natural, it results in more transparancy for bug fixing as well as bug exploiting..
It's also sad why some people say open source code is bad for security, nonsense.
If it is bad for security then this is probably something statistical, it cannot be proven at all, and if it were statistically more vulnerable, I'd still prefer the natural open source model.
Their entire OS is almost retardly designed to be as insecure as possible. In order to attain any level of security with the latest versions of Microsoft Windows you have to apply tons of patches and registry tweaks to get anywhere near the security level provided by Unix/Linux.
Thats true but users also wanted to share files and printers for example so something had to be left open to allow for that. More options such as by say filter by machine name or ip address would have been helpful.
Even when all the tweaks and updated and patches are installed you are still vulnerable to Viruses, worms, and spyware that are virutally non-existent in the Linux world.
Well viruses because it's the most popular OS. That has nothing to do with security if a virus infects the system because of a user running an executable with a virus attached to it. It would help though if the user didn't need admin privaleges to run it. As for worms, most spread by using a previously known security hole for which a patch has been released. It's users lazyness of not wanting to patch that cause it to spread. Maybe closing the feature that used it in the first place would help as well but for users that want to share files and folders, you sacrifice something. Spyware is basically the same thing. Enabling plugins to install easily was microsoft's main idea in activex and so they only allowed signed activex components to run. Limiting what they could do like java's sandbox would definately help their.
Contrary to what many think, Linux inspite having many security holes of it's own is still far more secure then Microsoft Windows will ever be. For one thing, Linux doesn't automatically make every program you download executable. You have to manually make it executable in many cases.
But once linux comes to the masses, they WILL want certain files to be automatically executable. For example<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.bin files. The paranoid can still disable this feature but for the mass amount of users out there, they want this feature.
Secondly, a user on a Unix/Linux system can only modify files that they created or that they have full read/write/execute abilities over.
And the same thing with a windows users system if they're not running as an administrator.
They cannot modify critical system files without logging on with root access. Taking advantage of security flaws in Unix/Linux requires a much more in depth understanding of the operating system then in the Windows environment.
And one linux company, lindows, has set this up so that by default you login as root access because thats what end users want. If you don't cator to them you lose market share.
Therefore, in the Unix/Linux world there are far fewer people who know how to exploit the weaknesses.
Only because there are very much fewer actual end users and far more people that care about security then how easy something is to use. Once linux is fed to the masses, and is as easy to use as windows, then it will be open to the same security weaknesses that windows has right now that you've pointed out.
Because Linux is less predictable due to the many flavors available, it is also harder to hack.
But if one organization decides to go with one linux distributor and someone finds a security hole related to that distributor it doesn't matter how many flavours of linux are out there. It also doesn't matter that a flaw was discovered recently in the linux kernel, therefore every flavour was effected. Besides, when was the last time you heard of a flaw in the kernel microsoft uses in a particular form of windows?
In summary, Linux is far more secure, catching up in usability and multimedia, and makes a far better platform in a server environment then Microsoft Windows. I have had months upon months of uptime with my Red Hat Linux and Sun Boxes which would be unthinkable if the same systems ran Microsoft Windows. I never run into viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, or large amounts of spam that others experience. Unix/Linux is just a better platform!!
True linux is a better server, but its not a good gaming/workstation/multimedia platform. As for security holes, I seem to get just as many notices for security holes in the linux servers here that run redhat as I do for windows. If a linux distributor took out all the programs that they use and start concentrating on the usability aspect I believe there would be less patches then. I want a linux distribution as easy to use as windows and so far lindows has come the closest to that offering the bare minimum for applications included just like windows. Now all we need are better hardware support, easier driver installation, easier program install/removal, a standard gui so that the user doesn't have to choose, etc...you get the gist of what I'm try to say.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
Thats true but users also wanted to share files and printers for example so something had to be left open to allow for that. More options such as by say filter by machine name or ip address would have been helpful.
Even when all the tweaks and updated and patches are installed you are still vulnerable to Viruses, worms, and spyware that are virutally non-existent in the Linux world.
Well viruses because it's the most popular OS. That has nothing to do with security if a virus infects the system because of a user running an executable with a virus attached to it. It would help though if the user didn't need admin privaleges to run it. As for worms, most spread by using a previously known security hole for which a patch has been released. It's users lazyness of not wanting to patch that cause it to spread. Maybe closing the feature that used it in the first place would help as well but for users that want to share files and folders, you sacrifice something. Spyware is basically the same thing. Enabling plugins to install easily was microsoft's main idea in activex and so they only allowed signed activex components to run. Limiting what they could do like java's sandbox would definately help their.
Contrary to what many think, Linux inspite having many security holes of it's own is still far more secure then Microsoft Windows will ever be. For one thing, Linux doesn't automatically make every program you download executable. You have to manually make it executable in many cases.
But once linux comes to the masses, they WILL want certain files to be automatically executable. For example<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.bin files. The paranoid can still disable this feature but for the mass amount of users out there, they want this feature.
Secondly, a user on a Unix/Linux system can only modify files that they created or that they have full read/write/execute abilities over.
And the same thing with a windows users system if they're not running as an administrator.
They cannot modify critical system files without logging on with root access. Taking advantage of security flaws in Unix/Linux requires a much more in depth understanding of the operating system then in the Windows environment.
And one linux company, lindows, has set this up so that by default you login as root access because thats what end users want. If you don't cator to them you lose market share.
Therefore, in the Unix/Linux world there are far fewer people who know how to exploit the weaknesses.
Only because there are very much fewer actual end users and far more people that care about security then how easy something is to use. Once linux is fed to the masses, and is as easy to use as windows, then it will be open to the same security weaknesses that windows has right now that you've pointed out.
Because Linux is less predictable due to the many flavors available, it is also harder to hack.
But if one organization decides to go with one linux distributor and someone finds a security hole related to that distributor it doesn't matter how many flavours of linux are out there. It also doesn't matter that a flaw was discovered recently in the linux kernel, therefore every flavour was effected. Besides, when was the last time you heard of a flaw in the kernel microsoft uses in a particular form of windows?
In summary, Linux is far more secure, catching up in usability and multimedia, and makes a far better platform in a server environment then Microsoft Windows. I have had months upon months of uptime with my Red Hat Linux and Sun Boxes which would be unthinkable if the same systems ran Microsoft Windows. I never run into viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, or large amounts of spam that others experience. Unix/Linux is just a better platform!!
True linux is a better server, but its not a good gaming/workstation/multimedia platform. As for security holes, I seem to get just as many notices for security holes in the linux servers here that run redhat as I do for windows. If a linux distributor took out all the programs that they use and start concentrating on the usability aspect I believe there would be less patches then. I want a linux distribution as easy to use as windows and so far lindows has come the closest to that offering the bare minimum for applications included just like windows. Now all we need are better hardware support, easier driver installation, easier program install/removal, a standard gui so that the user doesn't have to choose, etc...you get the gist of what I'm try to say.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
Questions 10 and 11 for the home are bad questions. They assume that if its easy to set up that it is hard to administer. Basically, we've found that Linux is both easy to install and setup AND it is easy to administer. The same can be said for low cost and having low effort. The question implies that you can't have it both ways.
We find it low cost to start with, low cost to maintain and low effort. The Linux systems just keep running and running and running like a pink rabbit. The windoze boxes we ran crashed constantly, required constant patches that invaribly broke existing configurations causing us to spend hundreds of hours a year in down time. We couldn't afford to continue using a product that was definitely NOT enterprise quality.
Linux and Solaris X86 solved the problems and we've never looked back. It would cost us too much to change to something new now and we have absolutely no reason to get out of a Linux/Solaris environment. The boxes we have now just don't break. When we do update them, we know our scripts and programs will continue to work.
We don't get hacked, no viruses to worry about (we do use AV software) and a 500 MHz box with 64 MB RAM out performs a 1 GHZ box with 128MB RAM running Windoze XP. Duh, why fix what isn't broken?
We find it low cost to start with, low cost to maintain and low effort. The Linux systems just keep running and running and running like a pink rabbit. The windoze boxes we ran crashed constantly, required constant patches that invaribly broke existing configurations causing us to spend hundreds of hours a year in down time. We couldn't afford to continue using a product that was definitely NOT enterprise quality.
Linux and Solaris X86 solved the problems and we've never looked back. It would cost us too much to change to something new now and we have absolutely no reason to get out of a Linux/Solaris environment. The boxes we have now just don't break. When we do update them, we know our scripts and programs will continue to work.
We don't get hacked, no viruses to worry about (we do use AV software) and a 500 MHz box with 64 MB RAM out performs a 1 GHZ box with 128MB RAM running Windoze XP. Duh, why fix what isn't broken?
I tried the business survey running a machine with Windows 98se and IE 6.x and found that I couldn't run it, but OPERA 7.x was able to render and use the page properly.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-)
Funny I used Windows NT 4.0 with IE6 and I was able to do the survey, is it a user issue simply explained that you didnt try it at all? or were you trying to be funny?
Were you doing the business survey or the home survey? I found the home survey worked fine with IE6 and ME but the business survey would not render and could not be completed at all with IE6 and ME (drop down menus simply didn't work). However, the business survey was fine with RedHat/Mozilla 1.5.
Everytime I hit a button, it would shoot me to the top of the page. Using Mozilla
I use Mozilla FireBird 0.7. The buttons doesn't work for me either. Being a curious type, I fired up IE6 (using the IE6 view extension in Mozilla).
The survey for home users worked fine. The one for office users kept complaining that I didn't fill everything in. After checking and rechecking I gave up.
Typical Microsoft nonsense.
The survey for home users worked fine. The one for office users kept complaining that I didn't fill everything in. After checking and rechecking I gave up.
Typical Microsoft nonsense.
Tried using IE 6 under Windoz and it couldn't handle all the drop down menu widgets and did not render correctly. There is no way one could have completed the survey with this MS combination. Booted into linux on same computer and tried with Mozilla 1.5--no problems. What a riot!
" - There is more free add-on software "
There is also Free software available for Windows, Open Source alternatives exist for Windows and for Linux
"- No enforced license registration"
So you dont like to follow rules and you loathe Microsoft for making sure that they make their profit. You feel you should be able to use the install CD's on more than 1 computer? wake up no one allows that and allows you to get support.
"- Easier to customize exactly how I want it"
You can customize everything with Windows from a user point of view except the kernel, which it has been my experience 90% of Linux users use a default configuration shipped by their distributor, Most IT personnel doesnt touch it. The other 10% are hobbyists and developers, you also have some of these companies that do high level forms of computing.
" - More intuitive, simpler to understand "
Yeah right, come back down to planet earth, its a common fact that Linux is harder to deploy and configure than any other OS out there. It has made inroads to usability but major work still needs to be done before grandma can use it without any geek help.
" - Linux community support "
Yeah Windows has user groups, newsgroups and other forms of help. There are alot of Windows users and experts out there, a lot more than I ever thought existed before in the past.
" - Better reliability "
Actually from a user poin of view I find that comment ill made. My Windows machines have never had a virus attack, hack attack or any kind of hard crash. With Linux I got popped by a security vulnerability and I have had more Kernel Panics than Blue Screens of death.
" - I don't trust Microsoft "
Sounds like you have gotten bit by the anti-MS bug and not necessarily by user experience. Its hard to be a follower and not know truth from zealotrous Open Source "experts" who really dont know their butt from a knot in a log.
There is also Free software available for Windows, Open Source alternatives exist for Windows and for Linux
"- No enforced license registration"
So you dont like to follow rules and you loathe Microsoft for making sure that they make their profit. You feel you should be able to use the install CD's on more than 1 computer? wake up no one allows that and allows you to get support.
"- Easier to customize exactly how I want it"
You can customize everything with Windows from a user point of view except the kernel, which it has been my experience 90% of Linux users use a default configuration shipped by their distributor, Most IT personnel doesnt touch it. The other 10% are hobbyists and developers, you also have some of these companies that do high level forms of computing.
" - More intuitive, simpler to understand "
Yeah right, come back down to planet earth, its a common fact that Linux is harder to deploy and configure than any other OS out there. It has made inroads to usability but major work still needs to be done before grandma can use it without any geek help.
" - Linux community support "
Yeah Windows has user groups, newsgroups and other forms of help. There are alot of Windows users and experts out there, a lot more than I ever thought existed before in the past.
" - Better reliability "
Actually from a user poin of view I find that comment ill made. My Windows machines have never had a virus attack, hack attack or any kind of hard crash. With Linux I got popped by a security vulnerability and I have had more Kernel Panics than Blue Screens of death.
" - I don't trust Microsoft "
Sounds like you have gotten bit by the anti-MS bug and not necessarily by user experience. Its hard to be a follower and not know truth from zealotrous Open Source "experts" who really dont know their butt from a knot in a log.
"My Windows machines have never had a virus attack, hack attack or any kind of hard crash."
- Your computer must not be connected to the internet then, laugh.
- On average my computer gets scanned 15 times a day by Worms targeting Windows OS.
- My windows machine (Windows XP) got infected within 2 hours of installing the OS by the "lovesann" worm. I didn't even have enough time to finish downloading all the patches. Looks like next time i will have to Install/Update windows through a NAT server.
- Your computer must not be connected to the internet then, laugh.
- On average my computer gets scanned 15 times a day by Worms targeting Windows OS.
- My windows machine (Windows XP) got infected within 2 hours of installing the OS by the "lovesann" worm. I didn't even have enough time to finish downloading all the patches. Looks like next time i will have to Install/Update windows through a NAT server.
I do beleive that the person never had a virus or hack attack. I also have never had a virus or been hacked on my Windows machines and yes I use the internet with them. Maybe he is careful like me, it is possible. Now I do not believe he has never had any kind of "hard crash".
Also I never use a Windows box with the internet with out having a firewall inbetween the Windows box and the internet, you would have to be nuts not to.
For my personal use I use Gentoo and use Windows for playing game and DC projects that are not availible for linux.
Also I never use a Windows box with the internet with out having a firewall inbetween the Windows box and the internet, you would have to be nuts not to.
For my personal use I use Gentoo and use Windows for playing game and DC projects that are not availible for linux.
Always on connection, I just have never gotten hacked or attacked. Maybe Im just Lucky.
" - My windows machine (Windows XP) got infected within 2 hours of installing the OS by the "lovesann" worm. I didn't even have enough time to finish downloading all the patches. Looks like next time i will have to Install/Update windows through a NAT server. "
Regular anti-ms bull. Not only does the Open Source community steal code but they lie too, Laugh,
" - My windows machine (Windows XP) got infected within 2 hours of installing the OS by the "lovesann" worm. I didn't even have enough time to finish downloading all the patches. Looks like next time i will have to Install/Update windows through a NAT server. "
Regular anti-ms bull. Not only does the Open Source community steal code but they lie too, Laugh,
Sorry, but either you're not aware or are not checking to see how many times you've been scanned or attacked.
I watch my logs and can tell you that I'm constantly attacked on my DSL connection. If it were not for a firewall, I'd be compromised many times per day. When I had a MS tech tell me to turn off the firewall to install something, I laughed and told him I'd have to disconnect the modem before I'd disable the firewall. What a joke.
It's not anti-MS bull, as you put it. It's just fact. I will admit that I have not had to reboot my win2k box as many times as my 98 box, but still have issues with resources going down the tubes, forcing reboot. In linux, that just doesn't happen - at least not on my boxes (five). I also don't have reboot linux just to install and run an application. The only time I've had to reboot a linux box is with a kernel upgrade and even then, if I don't need to use the recompiled kernel right away, I can wait for a convenient time to do so.
You're calling linux users liars, but you come across as the typical MS clone with typical FUD when it comes to MS. I have found windows to be very difficult to deal with - constant forced upgrades, no way to fix broken apps because of closed config source, etc. I've had to discard more software apps and waste more money on things that don't work than I care to count in the MS world. In linux, they can be made to work, are mostly try-before-you-buy or actually free. I donate freely to those developers whose apps and servers I use.
As for virii, I don't get infected because I don't open email in windows if there is html or attachments. I send them to the linux box. I receive at least 100 infected emails a day that will not effect a linux box. I run AV on all systems regardless of OS and NIDS on the linux LAN. I have over 68,000 entries in the IDS logs for windows attacks and a trickle of attempted hacks for unix/linux.
So you can't be very honest and say that you are not attacked in any way. If you have not been infected with a virus, it's because you're careful or don't get email. So stop with the FUD.
I watch my logs and can tell you that I'm constantly attacked on my DSL connection. If it were not for a firewall, I'd be compromised many times per day. When I had a MS tech tell me to turn off the firewall to install something, I laughed and told him I'd have to disconnect the modem before I'd disable the firewall. What a joke.
It's not anti-MS bull, as you put it. It's just fact. I will admit that I have not had to reboot my win2k box as many times as my 98 box, but still have issues with resources going down the tubes, forcing reboot. In linux, that just doesn't happen - at least not on my boxes (five). I also don't have reboot linux just to install and run an application. The only time I've had to reboot a linux box is with a kernel upgrade and even then, if I don't need to use the recompiled kernel right away, I can wait for a convenient time to do so.
You're calling linux users liars, but you come across as the typical MS clone with typical FUD when it comes to MS. I have found windows to be very difficult to deal with - constant forced upgrades, no way to fix broken apps because of closed config source, etc. I've had to discard more software apps and waste more money on things that don't work than I care to count in the MS world. In linux, they can be made to work, are mostly try-before-you-buy or actually free. I donate freely to those developers whose apps and servers I use.
As for virii, I don't get infected because I don't open email in windows if there is html or attachments. I send them to the linux box. I receive at least 100 infected emails a day that will not effect a linux box. I run AV on all systems regardless of OS and NIDS on the linux LAN. I have over 68,000 entries in the IDS logs for windows attacks and a trickle of attempted hacks for unix/linux.
So you can't be very honest and say that you are not attacked in any way. If you have not been infected with a virus, it's because you're careful or don't get email. So stop with the FUD.
Wow. Where to begin?
If your definition of "free" does not include access to the _actual_computer_code_ as opposed to an inscrutible binary, it's not future-safe. Not worth my investment.
A glib reply: Iwouldn't call what I get from Microsoft "support"; Also I provide my own support for quite a few machines and I know personally people who spend $40k/year on Red Hat licences -- there are a lot of in-betweens.
Regarding configurability, I think it has to do with the intended purpose of the computer system. I concede that Windows is easier to configure for a home user. I believe from experience that Linux is much easier to configure because frankly, the design is better, even if Windows is more polished for certain uses. Hopefully I managed to say that without sounding insulting?
Again, some things are simpler to understand, and some harder -- sweeping generalization about "simplicity" is not helpful. I personally believe that simplicity is a secondary attribute, things such as consistancy, not crashing, and effective gui design are all parts of this.
I will be blatantly biased here. Linux help is of much higher quality, because (a) those involved are not already defeated by years of gruelling disapointment -- there is much more sense of creative comradarie, and (b) some linux users can program their own kernel: people routinely help newbies install linux, who also spend their day jobs hacking cluster filesystems for the fifth largest computer in the world. This is not to say I don't know knowledgable Windows folks. I do. But the quality of help is incomparable.
My (work) windows machines have been broken into. I simply do not have the time to invest the effort required to work around Microsoft's mistakes, misdesign, and all-around fucking sloppiness. I respect people who administer Windows networks the same way I respect people who cleanup suicides or rescue burning bodies out of passenger train or automobile accidents: commendable, but it sucks the life out of you unless you have a very strong personality. But then again that's just my opinion.
I interpreted trust along the lines of "is this a company I would trust my computer platform and future direction to", or "is this even a company I would trust to not shaft me as a partner by borging me", or "would I let my (fictional) daughter go out with them if Microsoft were a potential boyfriend, or would I polish my shotguns when he arrived?". My answers to these questions are: (1) not particularly, given many less risky options (2) hell no, and (3) I'd probably let my daughter do what she liked, but I wouldn't have to like it.
I suppose that Microsoft's software quality has improved. I would also cynically note that it couldn't have gotten much worse.
" Regarding configurability, I think it has to do with the intended purpose of the computer system. I concede that Windows is easier to configure for a home user. I believe from experience that Linux is much easier to configure because frankly, the design is better, even if Windows is more polished for certain uses. Hopefully I managed to say that without sounding insulting? "
Depends on what you do use it for and who is the audience. Until my grandmother can use Linux without any interaction from me, I wouldnt dare suggest Linux nor would I even attempt to get her to use it. Until I can install packages without compiling them I wont consider Linux as anything but a play toy and would not suggest it to anyone. I use Linux I like Linux but from a usability point of view I think Linux is comparable to Windows 3.1 and nothing much more.
" My (work) windows machines have been broken into. I simply do not have the time to invest the effort required to work around Microsoft's mistakes, misdesign, and all-around fucking sloppiness. I respect people who administer Windows networks the same way I respect people who cleanup suicides or rescue burning bodies out of passenger train or automobile accidents: commendable, but it sucks the life out of you unless you have a very strong personality. But then again that's just my opinion. "
As I have stated I have yet to see any examples of Microsofts sloppiness. I have had no problems administering Windows machines and as i have stated my Linux machines have been cracked from 3 security vulnerabilities, Windows 0 times. And their was a report Last year that said Linux made up 53 % of all cracked Systems last year.
" I interpreted trust along the lines of "is this a company I would trust my computer platform and future direction to", or "is this even a company I would trust to not shaft me as a partner by borging me", or "would I let my (fictional) daughter go out with them if Microsoft were a potential boyfriend, or would I polish my shotguns when he arrived?". My answers to these questions are: (1) not particularly, given many less risky options (2) hell no, and (3) I'd probably let my daughter do what she liked, but I wouldn't have to like it. "
(1) Yes I would trust them, given Linux is a much more risky option and i do have much less Windows support calls and more Linux support calls.
(2) hell Yes
Depends on what you do use it for and who is the audience. Until my grandmother can use Linux without any interaction from me, I wouldnt dare suggest Linux nor would I even attempt to get her to use it. Until I can install packages without compiling them I wont consider Linux as anything but a play toy and would not suggest it to anyone. I use Linux I like Linux but from a usability point of view I think Linux is comparable to Windows 3.1 and nothing much more.
" My (work) windows machines have been broken into. I simply do not have the time to invest the effort required to work around Microsoft's mistakes, misdesign, and all-around fucking sloppiness. I respect people who administer Windows networks the same way I respect people who cleanup suicides or rescue burning bodies out of passenger train or automobile accidents: commendable, but it sucks the life out of you unless you have a very strong personality. But then again that's just my opinion. "
As I have stated I have yet to see any examples of Microsofts sloppiness. I have had no problems administering Windows machines and as i have stated my Linux machines have been cracked from 3 security vulnerabilities, Windows 0 times. And their was a report Last year that said Linux made up 53 % of all cracked Systems last year.
" I interpreted trust along the lines of "is this a company I would trust my computer platform and future direction to", or "is this even a company I would trust to not shaft me as a partner by borging me", or "would I let my (fictional) daughter go out with them if Microsoft were a potential boyfriend, or would I polish my shotguns when he arrived?". My answers to these questions are: (1) not particularly, given many less risky options (2) hell no, and (3) I'd probably let my daughter do what she liked, but I wouldn't have to like it. "
(1) Yes I would trust them, given Linux is a much more risky option and i do have much less Windows support calls and more Linux support calls.
(2) hell Yes
You can customize everything with Windows from a user point of view except the kernel,
Yeah right.
which it has been my experience 90% of Linux users use a default configuration shipped by their distributor.
So what, I love the fact that I have a choice, I can compile my own kernel if I want to. The fact that I don't bother is no reason to remove that choice.
The number one feature I love about Linux, choice. MS are limiting your choice more and more with every release of Windows. It will soon get to the point where you won't be able to install anything but MS software.
Why do they require me to agree to let them enter my computer do anything they want and not even warn or tell me about it?
...its a common fact that Linux is harder to deploy and configure than any other OS out there.
Obviously, you never installed Windows (nor Linux) on a clean computer.
You feel you should be able to use the install CD's on more than 1 computer?
Yes, GNU/Linux allows you to do it.
And I will add that I run the web server and mailing list of my LUG on an old Pentium 233 which has been running non-stop for months (except for power outages). Do you really thing I would be able to do that with NT or Win 2000?
JMV
Obviously, you never installed Windows (nor Linux) on a clean computer.
You feel you should be able to use the install CD's on more than 1 computer?
Yes, GNU/Linux allows you to do it.
And I will add that I run the web server and mailing list of my LUG on an old Pentium 233 which has been running non-stop for months (except for power outages). Do you really thing I would be able to do that with NT or Win 2000?
JMV
For crying out loud, an other person who know peoples dos and donts with their computers.
What are they called, now again?.....smart a**es.
What are they called, now again?.....smart a**es.
my two suggestions for how to change winders:
security security security!!! I mean why can't I prevent Windows from responding on certain ports? I can uninstall and reconfigure stuff, but the damned Windows [2000] kernel still responds on tcp ports 135 and 139. second suggestion: open the source code. if you allow (even encourage) folks to make their own changes, and require folks who want to sell alterations to share 'em with the community, you're strengthening the community enormously.
bastards that they are, i didn't mention the ethical problems with the company's behavior, since i assume that the unethical will remain in charge like they usually do in politics and business.
security security security!!! I mean why can't I prevent Windows from responding on certain ports? I can uninstall and reconfigure stuff, but the damned Windows [2000] kernel still responds on tcp ports 135 and 139. second suggestion: open the source code. if you allow (even encourage) folks to make their own changes, and require folks who want to sell alterations to share 'em with the community, you're strengthening the community enormously.
bastards that they are, i didn't mention the ethical problems with the company's behavior, since i assume that the unethical will remain in charge like they usually do in politics and business.
You've obviously never noticed the checkbox for 'Disable NetBIOS over tcp'. You can do this on a per-NIC basis.
Perfect example of Windows solutions...
Here are my non-submitted answers to their questions:
15 - I really can not provide a list of 'possible improvements' to Windows as it has been so long since I have been a regular user of Microsoft products that I am not qualified to make such a judgment. I can, however, make a number of suggestions on what they need to do in order to right the perception that they can not be trusted and that their products are weak.
16 - The Linux community knows far better than I what needs to be done. At this point in time, however, Linux allows me to do everything I need to do with a computer. In fact, it probably allows me to do much more than I could ever dream of.
17 - No Thanks.
In reality, a computer is a tool. Whatever operating system is installed is really insignificant if that operating system allows the tool to do its job properly. Everything past that is either personal preference or plain ignorance. The old adage that form follows function is significant. The creators of Linux (the kernel) and its brethren (GNU, etc.) seem to understand this, and, consequently, Linux appeals to me.
Those of you who spend your time slamming each other about what is right and what is wrong with Linux are wasting your time and countless thousands of watts of electricity. There is far more to life than computers.
I, for one, could care less why Microsoft wants my answers. If they were really concerned about what I thought, they would call and ask me. Microsoft became the dominant player in personal computer operating systems because they convinced the computer manufacturers that their products would help sell computers, not because they convinced end users they had a better product. For what it is worth, I think Microsoft is a marketing company first and a software company second. Unfortunately this approach works really well in our 'fluff over substance' society.
15 - I really can not provide a list of 'possible improvements' to Windows as it has been so long since I have been a regular user of Microsoft products that I am not qualified to make such a judgment. I can, however, make a number of suggestions on what they need to do in order to right the perception that they can not be trusted and that their products are weak.
16 - The Linux community knows far better than I what needs to be done. At this point in time, however, Linux allows me to do everything I need to do with a computer. In fact, it probably allows me to do much more than I could ever dream of.
17 - No Thanks.
In reality, a computer is a tool. Whatever operating system is installed is really insignificant if that operating system allows the tool to do its job properly. Everything past that is either personal preference or plain ignorance. The old adage that form follows function is significant. The creators of Linux (the kernel) and its brethren (GNU, etc.) seem to understand this, and, consequently, Linux appeals to me.
Those of you who spend your time slamming each other about what is right and what is wrong with Linux are wasting your time and countless thousands of watts of electricity. There is far more to life than computers.
I, for one, could care less why Microsoft wants my answers. If they were really concerned about what I thought, they would call and ask me. Microsoft became the dominant player in personal computer operating systems because they convinced the computer manufacturers that their products would help sell computers, not because they convinced end users they had a better product. For what it is worth, I think Microsoft is a marketing company first and a software company second. Unfortunately this approach works really well in our 'fluff over substance' society.
Agreed. I'm surprised I don't see the term McRosoft bandied around as it makes a point.
The only "why" microsoft is doing this survey is just one of those steps in their plans to eliminate linux.
Surprise!
So I did not make this survey. (I just read it) Why should I
fake one? Well, I dont want to be like "one of them".<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
Surprise!
So I did not make this survey. (I just read it) Why should I
fake one? Well, I dont want to be like "one of them".<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
Here's my info I posted. I think it would give them the idea how easy and useful linux is to someone who is only a home end user with not too much knowledge of linux.
My comments I did NOT put in the survey are in brackets [ ].
Linux Level: Novice
[I've tried linux before, but it didn't suppor the hardware
and do what I needed it to until just recently.]
How long I've used Linux: 0 - 3 months
[That's actual useful usage. The other times I tried linux
I didn't even really get to use it for much other than
trying to get my hardware and other things to work.]
Do people ask me for Linux advice? No. [I'm still learning.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
Type of user: End user
Primary Linux machine:
Monitor Type: 15" LCD
Memory (RAM): 129MB - 256MB
processor type: Intel
processor speed: 201Mhz to 500 Mhz
number of CPUs: 1
hard drive space: 20.1 GB to 40 GB
length of ownership: 4.1 to 5 years
[It's actually an eMachines 366is I got on a free computer deal in August 1999. Friends helped me build it up/upgrade it. It has 256MB RAM (most it'll take), 40G HD, CD-RW, MS Optical wheel mouse, Printer, Scanner, and I have a digital camera as well. The machine has an 366MHz Intel Celeron PII MMX CPU and a 56K USRobotics ISA modem (even though the computer also has PCI slots, two USB ports, and a midi/game port, etc.]
OS that came with the machine: Windows 98/SE
Upgraded from Windows 98 to SE after purchasing an authorized upgrade disc from Microsoft.
Connectivity - Internet: dial-up modem, Network: no home network
Primary Linux Distribution: Red Hat
[Actually, I'm using an RH9 clone I bought for under $20 online I also left the "At Work" blank because I'm disabled and unable to work.]
Region: USA/Canada [USA]
Who would I recommend Linux to: Everyone
[If I can do it, I'm sure anyone can.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
Rank the reasons I like Linux for the home:
Very Important vote on:
It's cheaper, there's more free software, ability to run on old
hardware, more secure than Windows, no need to keep installing updates and fixes, better performance than Windows, easier to use than Windows, easier to install than Windows, better install/uninstall options for software, no enforced license registration, better device and peripheral support, easier to customize exactly how I want it,
more intuitive, simpler to understand, Linux community support, better reliablility, I don't want to use propriatery/commercial software.
Middle ground on:
integration with consumer electronic devices and better scripting
Not important on:
Better gaming experience [I don't play games much]
Linux Experience to Help with career [I can't work so it doesn't matter]
Satisfation of not paying microsoft [Doesn't matter to me, if it's worth it, and I can afford it and it works for me, I'll buy it if I have to. They'll see my decisions aren't based on a "herd mentality" hatred of MS but on actual practicality for my personal useage and needs.]
I don't trust Microsoft [I don't trust anyone until they prove I can trust them, so again, it doesn't matter.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
For Better Command Line: 1 less than very important
[I sometimes use scripting and other command line fuctions, but mostly I'm GUI-based.]
For Access to source code: 1 up from not important
[I am not much of a programmer so I probably wouldn't understand someone else's source code well enough to make my own changes, yet it is nice to have in case you want to compile it for the computer, or if someone made a spelling/grammar booboo or something.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
Tasks done on Linux:
Not important (as I never do much of these tasks)
Playing/Hosting games,
Very important (I use these things every day, and it's a Must have for me)
Internet gateway [to connect to the internet I use dial-up so I think that was about right?], Firewall, Word Processing, E-mail, Web browsing, and Photo editing.
[Desktop publishing got one less than Very Important as I don't use it much as the other stuff, but I do get some use from that stuff. I use Open Office.]
Middle ground (sometimes I use these things but only on occasion) Spreadsheets, Databases, Programming [Mostly scripts to do repititive tasks]
Stuff I don't use at all: (N/A)
file/web server, finances, video editing/capture, other
Other OSs used: Windows 98
Dual Boot: Yes
Top two possible improvements to Windows [I may have listed more than two]:
Cost of license is way too expensive for those who are on a limited income, and the threat of "jail" because of "piracy" if it doesn't come with your PC is not something I am appreciative of, since I've got a disability and can't handle such stress and trauma. I want an OS that I can still use if my computer should cease functioning and a friend give me another one to replace it. I can do that with Linux, and just put my system back the way it was. As I keep telling my friends about everything else in Windows,
"You can't do that with Windows!". Windows is also not very secure, thus viruses can get in. Linux nothing can install without root priveledges. I can control everything in linux myself, without messing with one database called a "registry". Everything has it's own config so if you mess one thing up, the whole thing isn't unusable. People in the community are more knowledgable than Microsoft's rude tech support (IF you can even get ahold of them) and I learned more from the Linux community in a month than
I did in several years using Windows!
Top two possible improvements in Linux:
More support for streaming video protocols so I can see some sport videos on some sites I visit regularly, and more Windows-only software vendors write linux ports of their programs (such as if Jasc would please make
a Paint Shop Pro for Linux).
[I gave them my "public" email address so if they want to contact me, fine. It's a throw-away "spam" addy anyway so if it gets spammed or whatever, I can always just close that one.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
My comments I did NOT put in the survey are in brackets [ ].
Linux Level: Novice
[I've tried linux before, but it didn't suppor the hardware
and do what I needed it to until just recently.]
How long I've used Linux: 0 - 3 months
[That's actual useful usage. The other times I tried linux
I didn't even really get to use it for much other than
trying to get my hardware and other things to work.]
Do people ask me for Linux advice? No. [I'm still learning.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
Type of user: End user
Primary Linux machine:
Monitor Type: 15" LCD
Memory (RAM): 129MB - 256MB
processor type: Intel
processor speed: 201Mhz to 500 Mhz
number of CPUs: 1
hard drive space: 20.1 GB to 40 GB
length of ownership: 4.1 to 5 years
[It's actually an eMachines 366is I got on a free computer deal in August 1999. Friends helped me build it up/upgrade it. It has 256MB RAM (most it'll take), 40G HD, CD-RW, MS Optical wheel mouse, Printer, Scanner, and I have a digital camera as well. The machine has an 366MHz Intel Celeron PII MMX CPU and a 56K USRobotics ISA modem (even though the computer also has PCI slots, two USB ports, and a midi/game port, etc.]
OS that came with the machine: Windows 98/SE
Upgraded from Windows 98 to SE after purchasing an authorized upgrade disc from Microsoft.
Connectivity - Internet: dial-up modem, Network: no home network
Primary Linux Distribution: Red Hat
[Actually, I'm using an RH9 clone I bought for under $20 online I also left the "At Work" blank because I'm disabled and unable to work.]
Region: USA/Canada [USA]
Who would I recommend Linux to: Everyone
[If I can do it, I'm sure anyone can.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
Rank the reasons I like Linux for the home:
Very Important vote on:
It's cheaper, there's more free software, ability to run on old
hardware, more secure than Windows, no need to keep installing updates and fixes, better performance than Windows, easier to use than Windows, easier to install than Windows, better install/uninstall options for software, no enforced license registration, better device and peripheral support, easier to customize exactly how I want it,
more intuitive, simpler to understand, Linux community support, better reliablility, I don't want to use propriatery/commercial software.
Middle ground on:
integration with consumer electronic devices and better scripting
Not important on:
Better gaming experience [I don't play games much]
Linux Experience to Help with career [I can't work so it doesn't matter]
Satisfation of not paying microsoft [Doesn't matter to me, if it's worth it, and I can afford it and it works for me, I'll buy it if I have to. They'll see my decisions aren't based on a "herd mentality" hatred of MS but on actual practicality for my personal useage and needs.]
I don't trust Microsoft [I don't trust anyone until they prove I can trust them, so again, it doesn't matter.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
For Better Command Line: 1 less than very important
[I sometimes use scripting and other command line fuctions, but mostly I'm GUI-based.]
For Access to source code: 1 up from not important
[I am not much of a programmer so I probably wouldn't understand someone else's source code well enough to make my own changes, yet it is nice to have in case you want to compile it for the computer, or if someone made a spelling/grammar booboo or something.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
Tasks done on Linux:
Not important (as I never do much of these tasks)
Playing/Hosting games,
Very important (I use these things every day, and it's a Must have for me)
Internet gateway [to connect to the internet I use dial-up so I think that was about right?], Firewall, Word Processing, E-mail, Web browsing, and Photo editing.
[Desktop publishing got one less than Very Important as I don't use it much as the other stuff, but I do get some use from that stuff. I use Open Office.]
Middle ground (sometimes I use these things but only on occasion) Spreadsheets, Databases, Programming [Mostly scripts to do repititive tasks]
Stuff I don't use at all: (N/A)
file/web server, finances, video editing/capture, other
Other OSs used: Windows 98
Dual Boot: Yes
Top two possible improvements to Windows [I may have listed more than two]:
Cost of license is way too expensive for those who are on a limited income, and the threat of "jail" because of "piracy" if it doesn't come with your PC is not something I am appreciative of, since I've got a disability and can't handle such stress and trauma. I want an OS that I can still use if my computer should cease functioning and a friend give me another one to replace it. I can do that with Linux, and just put my system back the way it was. As I keep telling my friends about everything else in Windows,
"You can't do that with Windows!". Windows is also not very secure, thus viruses can get in. Linux nothing can install without root priveledges. I can control everything in linux myself, without messing with one database called a "registry". Everything has it's own config so if you mess one thing up, the whole thing isn't unusable. People in the community are more knowledgable than Microsoft's rude tech support (IF you can even get ahold of them) and I learned more from the Linux community in a month than
I did in several years using Windows!
Top two possible improvements in Linux:
More support for streaming video protocols so I can see some sport videos on some sites I visit regularly, and more Windows-only software vendors write linux ports of their programs (such as if Jasc would please make
a Paint Shop Pro for Linux).
[I gave them my "public" email address so if they want to contact me, fine. It's a throw-away "spam" addy anyway so if it gets spammed or whatever, I can always just close that one.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)]
"...semi-literate slum kids in Brazil..."
You could at least pretend to care and not be a pompous ass. You could use a course in political correctness 101.
You could at least pretend to care and not be a pompous ass. You could use a course in political correctness 101.
And you could use a course in Real Life 101.
"Political Correctness" is for those who cannot handle reality.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:P
"Political Correctness" is for those who cannot handle reality.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:P
I have been a user of Linux now for a little over a year. i have not figured everything out yet but that will come.
I find Linux MUCH better and user friendly tham MS and it is for free!
Security is another thing who really likes those<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.exe files? i complained once to Microsoft and all they could say was that "the product is made so that it is easier to use" HAHAHA "to abuse" I must say!
I jumped over from Windows to Linux in one day, sure i had to get used to it but that was the case when i bough my first computer too?!?
Now i would never think about going back...I have seen the light!
I find Linux MUCH better and user friendly tham MS and it is for free!
Security is another thing who really likes those<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.exe files? i complained once to Microsoft and all they could say was that "the product is made so that it is easier to use" HAHAHA "to abuse" I must say!
I jumped over from Windows to Linux in one day, sure i had to get used to it but that was the case when i bough my first computer too?!?
Now i would never think about going back...I have seen the light!
" Now i would never think about going back...I have seen the light! "
How can you have seen the light, from the way i see it you are a blind follower, someone may have explained the light to you but I doubt you have ever seen it.
How can you have seen the light, from the way i see it you are a blind follower, someone may have explained the light to you but I doubt you have ever seen it.
I don't see your point here.
however what I meant was that i did my research on the Linux OS and just tried it so i could see what makes it so good. I find it much easier to use and user friendly.
second if I was a blind follower i would still be using windows.
however what I meant was that i did my research on the Linux OS and just tried it so i could see what makes it so good. I find it much easier to use and user friendly.
second if I was a blind follower i would still be using windows.
He/She did find another OS than Windows better. (not so surprisingly really) Live with it.
1) Novice
2) 1-2 years
3) No
4) Hobbyist
5) 15" LCD, 256MB RAM, Intel P4 1.6GHz, 80GB HD, 3 years
6) Windows XP
7) Cable Modem, Ethernet Hub
8) Gentoo, Don't work (yet)
9) Europe, GB
10) Everyone
11) Important things: Cheaper, More free softwore, Hardware support, Install/Uninstall of Software, Satisfaction of not giving Microsoft any money, Don't trust Microsoft.
12) Important things: Web, Email, Word processing, Music.
13) N/A
14) No
15) "Better configuration. The registry sucks! Haven't you figured it out yet?
Better install/uninstall of programs. Come on, when I want to get rid of software, I want to get rid of everything.
Open Source, so that others can make decent patches for security holes, and see how much BSD code there is in Windows."
16) "Better GUI, but that's being catered for by the xserver project (xserver.freedesktop.org)."
17) "Are you kidding?"
2) 1-2 years
3) No
4) Hobbyist
5) 15" LCD, 256MB RAM, Intel P4 1.6GHz, 80GB HD, 3 years
6) Windows XP
7) Cable Modem, Ethernet Hub
8) Gentoo, Don't work (yet)
9) Europe, GB
10) Everyone
11) Important things: Cheaper, More free softwore, Hardware support, Install/Uninstall of Software, Satisfaction of not giving Microsoft any money, Don't trust Microsoft.
12) Important things: Web, Email, Word processing, Music.
13) N/A
14) No
15) "Better configuration. The registry sucks! Haven't you figured it out yet?
Better install/uninstall of programs. Come on, when I want to get rid of software, I want to get rid of everything.
Open Source, so that others can make decent patches for security holes, and see how much BSD code there is in Windows."
16) "Better GUI, but that's being catered for by the xserver project (xserver.freedesktop.org)."
17) "Are you kidding?"
Not much meaning in saying all of what I said, but generally I am pissed @ the Windows world which I am kind of stuck in myself. I strongly dislike "hidden features" in Microsoft products that allow others to do as they please with my computer while I sleep or whatever. I dislike Microsofts' business tactics and questionable ethics. And I dislike the constant money hunger that Microsoft displays, I like cheap and good software and will not lay down my hard earned dineros on flawed products that will bring me near to concussion as I attempt using them for their intended use without having to call "1-800-Microsoft-rips-you-off-technical-support".
End of rant, I think Linux is the most perfect choice in an otherwise flawed Microsoft dominated software world.
Btw, Linux runs great on both AXP 3200+ 768MB DDR and my oooooooooooooooooooooold Pentium Pro 180 with 32MB EDO...
End of rant, I think Linux is the most perfect choice in an otherwise flawed Microsoft dominated software world.
Btw, Linux runs great on both AXP 3200+ 768MB DDR and my oooooooooooooooooooooold Pentium Pro 180 with 32MB EDO...
> Linux is the best
> Linux is my live
> Linux give us the freedom
> Tahk you, Mr. Torvalds!!!
I see Linux is liberating some ex-Windows devotees...<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)
> Linux is my live
> Linux give us the freedom
> Tahk you, Mr. Torvalds!!!
I see Linux is liberating some ex-Windows devotees...<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)
5 to 6 years ago, I needed to replace an aging Windows NT server in our family office.
I had heard about Linux, and wanted to have more info about it. I searched the Internet, and also logged in to a Microsoft web site. At one point I was asked to provide my Name and address. Naively, I did so, truthfully.
Some days later a letter turned up, delivered by special messanger, from Microsoft, threatening me with legal acting if I use a pirated copy of windows.
That was the moment of truth. Immediately, I ordered a copy of Linux from RedHead, installed it as a dual boot system, and I have never looked back since.
After this experience, it is hard to understand why there are still people around who use Microsoft windows. I don't, and I wouldnt.
For the record: The computer I was then using was a Laptop from Digital Equipment which had Windows pre-installed. It wasn't a pirated copy.
I had heard about Linux, and wanted to have more info about it. I searched the Internet, and also logged in to a Microsoft web site. At one point I was asked to provide my Name and address. Naively, I did so, truthfully.
Some days later a letter turned up, delivered by special messanger, from Microsoft, threatening me with legal acting if I use a pirated copy of windows.
That was the moment of truth. Immediately, I ordered a copy of Linux from RedHead, installed it as a dual boot system, and I have never looked back since.
After this experience, it is hard to understand why there are still people around who use Microsoft windows. I don't, and I wouldnt.
For the record: The computer I was then using was a Laptop from Digital Equipment which had Windows pre-installed. It wasn't a pirated copy.
1. What best describes your Linux knowledge level?
Intermediate
2. How long have you used Linux?
more than 2 years
3. Do people ask you for Linux advice?
yes
4. What best describes the kind of Linux user you are?
End user
5. Please describe your primary home Linux machine.
17" CRT
512 MB
1 AMD CPU 1.1 Ghz to 2 Ghz
Hard Drive 100.1-150 GB
Ownership 6 months - 1 year
6. What OS came with your primary Linux system when you got it?
No OS loaded
7. What kind of network connectivity do you use for your home Linux machine?
ADSL / Ethernet HUB
8. What is the primary Linux distribution you use?
at home : Mandrake / at work : I don't use Linux
9. What region are you from?
Europe
10. Who would you recommend use Linux at home?
Intermediate users
11. Rank the reasons you like Linux for the home.
very important
- More secure than Windows
- I want to get more Linux experience to help my career
- Better performance than Windows
- Better install and uninstall of additional software
- No enforced license registration
- Better command line
- Access to source code
- Easier to customize exactly how I want it
- Linux community support
- The satisfaction of not giving Microsoft more money
- I don't trust Microsoft
12. Rank the importance of various tasks you use your home Linux system for.
very important
Internet gateway
Firewall
A home file server
A home web server
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
E-mail
Web browsing
Home finances
Photo Editing
N/A
Hosting games
Programming
Desk Top Publishing
Video Editing
Recording live TV/ Video
13. What other operating system do you use at home?
Windows 2000 Pro
14. Do you dual boot between different operating systems on your primary home Linux PC?
yes
15. List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.
open source
security
16. List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.
This is NOT Micro$oft's problem.
17. Please list your e-mail address<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...
I don't trust Microsoft
cu,
Bluebeetle.
Intermediate
2. How long have you used Linux?
more than 2 years
3. Do people ask you for Linux advice?
yes
4. What best describes the kind of Linux user you are?
End user
5. Please describe your primary home Linux machine.
17" CRT
512 MB
1 AMD CPU 1.1 Ghz to 2 Ghz
Hard Drive 100.1-150 GB
Ownership 6 months - 1 year
6. What OS came with your primary Linux system when you got it?
No OS loaded
7. What kind of network connectivity do you use for your home Linux machine?
ADSL / Ethernet HUB
8. What is the primary Linux distribution you use?
at home : Mandrake / at work : I don't use Linux
9. What region are you from?
Europe
10. Who would you recommend use Linux at home?
Intermediate users
11. Rank the reasons you like Linux for the home.
very important
- More secure than Windows
- I want to get more Linux experience to help my career
- Better performance than Windows
- Better install and uninstall of additional software
- No enforced license registration
- Better command line
- Access to source code
- Easier to customize exactly how I want it
- Linux community support
- The satisfaction of not giving Microsoft more money
- I don't trust Microsoft
12. Rank the importance of various tasks you use your home Linux system for.
very important
Internet gateway
Firewall
A home file server
A home web server
Word processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Web browsing
Home finances
Photo Editing
N/A
Hosting games
Programming
Desk Top Publishing
Video Editing
Recording live TV/ Video
13. What other operating system do you use at home?
Windows 2000 Pro
14. Do you dual boot between different operating systems on your primary home Linux PC?
yes
15. List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.
open source
security
16. List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.
This is NOT Micro$oft's problem.
17. Please list your e-mail address<nobr> <wbr></nobr>...
I don't trust Microsoft
cu,
Bluebeetle.
As a Linux Expert I responded to Microsoft's short comings as:
Open Source it or at least adhere strongly to Open Standards without compromising features. Work better and more completely with open source solutions without intentionally crippling the process.
Better documentation on Windows internals. Write better documentation for the consultant.
Improve the installer. Add functionalilty to allow listing files in a package, verifying installed packages, identify which files are owned by which package, add support for dependancies so we know when shared files are no longer needed.
Open up the support knowledge base. Provide a raw version where the answers are not "censored" before release. More peer-to-peer support is required, Microsoft should host this site.
Stop making changes for marketing purposes. Why has the GUI changed so drastically between versions?
Improve security, but don't rely on complex schemes when code review/repair is the best alternative.
Improve privacy. Stop catering to large business at the expense of your largest customer base.
Stop make changes for big business and focus on what helps your largest customer base (SMB).
Reduce pricing on software, we don't appreciate the high margins and we don't want to pay for huge marketing expenses. We certainly don't want to pay excessive, monopolistic prices.
Create a Linux versions of your software. (it may be too late for that)
Include more device drivers in your default install. On Linux I perform a 20 minute install and have everything I need. With Windows I perform a 1/2 hour install and then have to have to reboot
about 6 time to install device drivers.
Get rid off activation. If it's purpose was to reduce piracy and therefor the price of software, it hasn't. We don't like it and it costs us expense, effort and downtime without giving us any value whatsoever.
Improve certication. The MCSE certification is a joke, literally. There are too many unskilled MCSEs and no organization that I know of considers it for any other reason than becoming a MCSP.
Integration with Windows products is very poorly done. Although the integration exists and functionality is there it is done poorly technically. Clear and supportable APIs are sacrificed as a shortcut or in favour of performance. The result is poorly integrated software that is difficult to debug and support.
Improve the quality of software. Let the programmers choose when a product is complete. that is the best way to create good, stable software.
All this may be too late. Microsoft has lost a lot of ground to Linux and may have to work harder than ever to provide value to customers.
Open Source it or at least adhere strongly to Open Standards without compromising features. Work better and more completely with open source solutions without intentionally crippling the process.
Better documentation on Windows internals. Write better documentation for the consultant.
Improve the installer. Add functionalilty to allow listing files in a package, verifying installed packages, identify which files are owned by which package, add support for dependancies so we know when shared files are no longer needed.
Open up the support knowledge base. Provide a raw version where the answers are not "censored" before release. More peer-to-peer support is required, Microsoft should host this site.
Stop making changes for marketing purposes. Why has the GUI changed so drastically between versions?
Improve security, but don't rely on complex schemes when code review/repair is the best alternative.
Improve privacy. Stop catering to large business at the expense of your largest customer base.
Stop make changes for big business and focus on what helps your largest customer base (SMB).
Reduce pricing on software, we don't appreciate the high margins and we don't want to pay for huge marketing expenses. We certainly don't want to pay excessive, monopolistic prices.
Create a Linux versions of your software. (it may be too late for that)
Include more device drivers in your default install. On Linux I perform a 20 minute install and have everything I need. With Windows I perform a 1/2 hour install and then have to have to reboot
about 6 time to install device drivers.
Get rid off activation. If it's purpose was to reduce piracy and therefor the price of software, it hasn't. We don't like it and it costs us expense, effort and downtime without giving us any value whatsoever.
Improve certication. The MCSE certification is a joke, literally. There are too many unskilled MCSEs and no organization that I know of considers it for any other reason than becoming a MCSP.
Integration with Windows products is very poorly done. Although the integration exists and functionality is there it is done poorly technically. Clear and supportable APIs are sacrificed as a shortcut or in favour of performance. The result is poorly integrated software that is difficult to debug and support.
Improve the quality of software. Let the programmers choose when a product is complete. that is the best way to create good, stable software.
All this may be too late. Microsoft has lost a lot of ground to Linux and may have to work harder than ever to provide value to customers.
Here are my answers:
15. List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.:
In simple words.....
1) Let windows "play nice" with 3rd party programs. Windows and other Microsoft programs crash enough, but for some "mysterious" reason, non-Microsoft products crash more often.
2) Don't be so f*&@ing greedy! Sell products at a REASONABLE price! $170 for XP, $500 for Office?! What, Billy doesn't have enough greenbacks? Please, he has enough stashed away to pay off the national debt!
3) Let YOUR employees do the product debugging, not the consumer. Release a product ONLY when it's "ready for prime time". Not just to meet some stupid deadline! I can think of MANY more, but I'm past the 2 limit.
16. List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.:
1) More device drivers. These wimpy hardware vendors should get off their asses and either start porting their drivers or give the code to the Open source community and let someone else do it!
2) Games/Apps. Even though more games and apps are being ported for Linux, we need more. Come on all you programmers, get with the program. Tell your employees to start porting, or just do it yourself, we won't tell.
15. List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.:
In simple words.....
1) Let windows "play nice" with 3rd party programs. Windows and other Microsoft programs crash enough, but for some "mysterious" reason, non-Microsoft products crash more often.
2) Don't be so f*&@ing greedy! Sell products at a REASONABLE price! $170 for XP, $500 for Office?! What, Billy doesn't have enough greenbacks? Please, he has enough stashed away to pay off the national debt!
3) Let YOUR employees do the product debugging, not the consumer. Release a product ONLY when it's "ready for prime time". Not just to meet some stupid deadline! I can think of MANY more, but I'm past the 2 limit.
16. List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.:
1) More device drivers. These wimpy hardware vendors should get off their asses and either start porting their drivers or give the code to the Open source community and let someone else do it!
2) Games/Apps. Even though more games and apps are being ported for Linux, we need more. Come on all you programmers, get with the program. Tell your employees to start porting, or just do it yourself, we won't tell.
What best describes your Linux knowledge level? Intermediate
How long have you used Linux? More than 2 years
Please describe your primary home Linux computer.
Monitor: 17" LCD, memory (RAM): 257MB to 384MB, processor type: AMD, processor speed: 501MHz to 1GHz, number of CPUs: 1, hard drive space: 20.1GB to 40GB, length of ownership: 2.1 to 3 years
What OS came with your primary Linux system when you got it? Linux
What region are you from? Europe
Who would you recommend use Linux at home? Intermediate, power and expert users
Primary reasons I like Linux for the home:
It's cheaper, there is more free add-on software, more secure than Windows, no need to constantly keep installing updates and fixes, easier to use than Windows, easier to install than Windows, better install and uninstall of additional software, no enforced license registration, better scripting, better command line, easeir to customize exactly how I want it, more intuitive and simpler to understand, Linux community support, better reliability, the satisfaction of not giving Microsoft more money, I don't trust Microsoft, I don't want to use proprietary software, I don't want to use commercial software.
What other operating system do you use at home? AmigaOS 3.9
List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.Remove the need to constantly upgrade your license.
Include a C compiler (from a non-Microsoft vendor) and a full set of system libraries and APIs as standard, free of charge.
List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.
I can't think of any.
How long have you used Linux? More than 2 years
Please describe your primary home Linux computer.
Monitor: 17" LCD, memory (RAM): 257MB to 384MB, processor type: AMD, processor speed: 501MHz to 1GHz, number of CPUs: 1, hard drive space: 20.1GB to 40GB, length of ownership: 2.1 to 3 years
What OS came with your primary Linux system when you got it? Linux
What region are you from? Europe
Who would you recommend use Linux at home? Intermediate, power and expert users
Primary reasons I like Linux for the home:
It's cheaper, there is more free add-on software, more secure than Windows, no need to constantly keep installing updates and fixes, easier to use than Windows, easier to install than Windows, better install and uninstall of additional software, no enforced license registration, better scripting, better command line, easeir to customize exactly how I want it, more intuitive and simpler to understand, Linux community support, better reliability, the satisfaction of not giving Microsoft more money, I don't trust Microsoft, I don't want to use proprietary software, I don't want to use commercial software.
What other operating system do you use at home? AmigaOS 3.9
List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.Remove the need to constantly upgrade your license.
Include a C compiler (from a non-Microsoft vendor) and a full set of system libraries and APIs as standard, free of charge.
List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.
I can't think of any.
Here's want I told Microsoft to Question 15.
"Oh...there sooo many! Here are a few.
1) Realistic pricing.
2) NO MANDATORY REGISTRATION AND PRODUCT ACTIVATION- main reason for avoiding WinXP.
3) Windows made more secure.
4) Windows made opensource, ie; made open to public scrutiny,
6) Stop relying in security by obscurity.
7) Windows' EULA(s)
What has put me off Microsoft / Windows?
1) Unrealistic pricing.
2) Microsoft treats us like, or assumes, we're all criminals - I OWN everything I have! NO MANDATORY REGISTRATION AND PRODUCT ACTIVATION- main reason for avoiding WinXP.
3) YOU (ie: Microsoft) ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY.
4) Microsoft is a cheating monopolistic bunch of thieves.
5) Microsoft relies on buying up competition and buying up new ideas instead of true innovation. Then lies to the public and claims that Microsoft are innovators.
6) Windows is not as secure as Linux.
7) Windows is not open to public (opensource) scrutiny,
8) and relies to some degree on security by obscurity.
9) Windows' EULA(s) (as are many other Microsoft EULA's - including Passport.net) are appalling - and also one of the main reasons for ditching MS.
10) 2,3,4,5, & 9 are all reasons that I find Microsoft morally apprehensible. Microsoft's behavior is offensive and has set me dead against Microsoft on every front.
11) I don't want to be legally / financially tied to Microsoft, or allow Microsoft carte blanche rights to ideas I have / own, that is demanded in some Microsoft EULA's.
12) I avoid Hotmail and Passport.net like the Black Plague."
"Oh...there sooo many! Here are a few.
1) Realistic pricing.
2) NO MANDATORY REGISTRATION AND PRODUCT ACTIVATION- main reason for avoiding WinXP.
3) Windows made more secure.
4) Windows made opensource, ie; made open to public scrutiny,
6) Stop relying in security by obscurity.
7) Windows' EULA(s)
What has put me off Microsoft / Windows?
1) Unrealistic pricing.
2) Microsoft treats us like, or assumes, we're all criminals - I OWN everything I have! NO MANDATORY REGISTRATION AND PRODUCT ACTIVATION- main reason for avoiding WinXP.
3) YOU (ie: Microsoft) ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY.
4) Microsoft is a cheating monopolistic bunch of thieves.
5) Microsoft relies on buying up competition and buying up new ideas instead of true innovation. Then lies to the public and claims that Microsoft are innovators.
6) Windows is not as secure as Linux.
7) Windows is not open to public (opensource) scrutiny,
8) and relies to some degree on security by obscurity.
9) Windows' EULA(s) (as are many other Microsoft EULA's - including Passport.net) are appalling - and also one of the main reasons for ditching MS.
10) 2,3,4,5, & 9 are all reasons that I find Microsoft morally apprehensible. Microsoft's behavior is offensive and has set me dead against Microsoft on every front.
11) I don't want to be legally / financially tied to Microsoft, or allow Microsoft carte blanche rights to ideas I have / own, that is demanded in some Microsoft EULA's.
12) I avoid Hotmail and Passport.net like the Black Plague."
You all forgotten to mention one important issue.
In General, Linux promote honesty, MSWindows promote piracy.
In Business, Linux encourage decency, MSWindows recruit theives and mal-ethincity
In General, Linux promote honesty, MSWindows promote piracy.
In Business, Linux encourage decency, MSWindows recruit theives and mal-ethincity
but doubt they find anything usefull between my awnsers, for it has been more than 5y since I used M$ products (3.11, the best Windoze ever)
Besides Money/securety/speed/performance it was a moral choice for me not to be ripped off by some BillyG.
Besides Money/securety/speed/performance it was a moral choice for me not to be ripped off by some BillyG.
Some of my survey answers
Posted by: roblimo on December 22, 2003 12:23 AMThe Toshiba Satellite 1410 laptop I'm currently using as my primary computer came with Windows XP Pro. I ran it as a dual-boot system for several months -- with Windows there only to check site apearance in IE -- but it is now running a Debian-based distro as its sole OS, and I use IE (only for site checks) through CodeWeavers' Crossover Office.
I recommended Linux for "everyone" to use at home; I know several high school dropouts who have no problem with it even though they have had no formal computer training, and Richard Stallman recently emailed me to say he'd watched semi-literate slum kids in Brazil learn GNU/Linux with no problem, so I don't see why anyone else should be scared of this operating system and/or free software in general.
Some of my main reasons for choosing Linux:
- There is more free add-on software
- No enforced license registration
- Easier to customize exactly how I want it
- More intuitive, simpler to understand
- Linux community support
- Better reliability
- I don't trust Microsoft
My "top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows" were:
"Open source code, more flexibility, cleaner software install/uninstall (especially uninstall), available for purchase from a company that has a sense of business ethics and is not run by liars."
I suppose I am a poor sales prospect for Microsoft. Oh, well.
- Robin
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