Before reading this article, I knew very little about Linux other than it was an operating system. I was surprised to learn that it started to be developed in 1969.
Some other thoughts:
- The introduction wasn't very helpful so I read some of Chapter 1
- The idea that it recycles code (and the chapter provides a good explanation of what this is) is what makes it so appealing and pretty cool.
- Surprising that "Linux is the only OS in the world covering such a wide range of hardware". I did not know it was so widespread.
- It still seems like it is more useful for programmers and not "desktop users" but it is becoming more user friendly
- The chapter has a great explanation of Open Source and why it's so important in the creation of better software faster.
1st article
- This article contained a good definitely for people who do not know what it is and the fact that you need to be familiar with operating systems in general to use it.
- What are the 'OS religious riots' the author mentions?
- The rest of the reading was too technical
- The Leopard desktop screenshot is incredible looking and I want it for my computers.
- The Prominent Features section shows the neat Dashboard and desktop widgets and I notice a similarity with Vista (which I have on my laptop) but it's not nearly as neat and doesn't have nearly the functionality, it seems.
- The Criticism section was absent and this would have been a useful section to read. What are some criticisms of MAC OS X?
- I read the letter and the comments (the ones I could understand anyway). Now I guess I understand why the IT guys in my department at Pitt haven't bothered installing Vista on our machines. If it is working fine and Windows 7 comes out in less than 2 years, just wait on it. Of course, if they do not know how to work with Vista, this could be a problem. I was worried about my refurbished Dell coming with Vista (I couldn't "downgrade" to XP like I wanted to), but I've had no problems with it and am enjoying using it.
5 comments:
I agree that Linux doesn't sound as user friendly as other operating systems but I think it is easy enough to learn and I like the idea of having more of an active part in learning how my computer works and choosing operating systems based on my needs. Do you think that it will ever get to a point when people will be less likely to subscribe to mainstream operating systems and apply for my independent ones?
I think that what they meant about "religious riots" is that people follow their OSs and love them so much the OS become important to them. They hold them high on a pedestal- ever hear the phrase "Macs Rule and PCs drool." or "My Mac does plug-n-play, but the PC is totally Plug-n-Pray!" Basically, people love the platforms they use soooo much and are willing to debate them to a T. I am a dual user with Windows and MAC and my mother is a MACAddict we would frequently argue about the OS differences, but we agreed to disagree in the end. Like religion has devotees so do OSs.
Check out this Mac Commerical it shows in a small way the religiousness of OSs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci2D1ig4df4&feature=related
I also agree that on the surface Linux sounds somewhat inaccessible to the average user. I also agree with Petunia who said that it's something that could be picked up.
It makes me think about the part in the Mac OX S article where he said that at this point, Linux is not necessarily for someone who is looking for an operating system to "handle" things and not know about "what is under the hood." So, judging from that as well, it probably doesn't sound like something that is at the point of being mainstream right now.
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