abf
01-14-2007, 01:01 PM
Before you all go and kill me, what you are about to read is NOT what you think it is. If it was, then I wouldn't be using linux as long as I have.
The Theory:
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In its current implementation, "desktop linux" (the aggregate of all linux distributions designed to run on desktop and laptop hardware) encourages relative system instability in the long-run.
Definitions:
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Long Run -- a period of time one calendar year or longer
System Stability -- the practice of running one configuration of software
Qualifications: (the World of Windows)
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In MS's perfect world there is 1 OS: the current stable release of Windows (today: XP, soon: Vista). The software supplier only supports Windows, and the Consumer is unaware that there is anything more to the world of computing besides Windows. As a result, the consumer will run the 1 configuration of windows for the entire cycle of its life (for XP... 2002 to 2007).
Explanation: (Linux and Open Source)
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In the world of Desktop Linux (from herein: "linux"), a consumer is faced with CHOICES. Just visiting Distrowatch presents one with a mind-boggling array of distributions, each one delivering something unique to the table. Browsing through Debian's repositories (or gentoo's portage tree) yields more software options than one can try in a lifetime. Making a choice is a basic life skill that all animals (except potentially sponges) are capable of doing. Humans however are rather finicky about their choices and like a kid in a candy store will look at everything and try everything before eventually settling on a limited selection of "favorites". As a result, people will NOT be running a stable single configuration of software in the long run because of all these choices presented to them, and their desire to try out the great many of them.
:laughing: :scratch: :awdance:
The Theory:
------------
In its current implementation, "desktop linux" (the aggregate of all linux distributions designed to run on desktop and laptop hardware) encourages relative system instability in the long-run.
Definitions:
-----------
Long Run -- a period of time one calendar year or longer
System Stability -- the practice of running one configuration of software
Qualifications: (the World of Windows)
---------------------------------------
In MS's perfect world there is 1 OS: the current stable release of Windows (today: XP, soon: Vista). The software supplier only supports Windows, and the Consumer is unaware that there is anything more to the world of computing besides Windows. As a result, the consumer will run the 1 configuration of windows for the entire cycle of its life (for XP... 2002 to 2007).
Explanation: (Linux and Open Source)
---------------------------------------
In the world of Desktop Linux (from herein: "linux"), a consumer is faced with CHOICES. Just visiting Distrowatch presents one with a mind-boggling array of distributions, each one delivering something unique to the table. Browsing through Debian's repositories (or gentoo's portage tree) yields more software options than one can try in a lifetime. Making a choice is a basic life skill that all animals (except potentially sponges) are capable of doing. Humans however are rather finicky about their choices and like a kid in a candy store will look at everything and try everything before eventually settling on a limited selection of "favorites". As a result, people will NOT be running a stable single configuration of software in the long run because of all these choices presented to them, and their desire to try out the great many of them.
:laughing: :scratch: :awdance: