the benifits (& drawbacks) of linux

**0l33l** · 02-15-2005, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by rubicon

As for your linux "crashing" experience, please see my post re: lack of administration knowledge.

It shouldn't crash when its idleing

**xBrady** · 02-15-2005, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by mespork

My server hasn't crashed in 2 years except for power outages. Desktop hasn't been restarted since I moved into my room at school. Car PC still stable after a year and a half. Still waiting for a virus/spyware.

I think the whole "Linux is more stable than Windows" thing is either completely dead or much less of a reality now. I can't remember the last time Windows XP crashed on my desktop. The only time it is off is sometimes at night when I hibernate it. The only time I remember it ever crashing was a year and a half ago when I was working with a faulty motherboard. As far as individual applications crashing on it, that happens equally on my desktop and the Linux (SUSE) machines I use at school. The only time my Windows 2003 server has crashed is when the hard drive died.
I'm not taking either side on this because I really like both Linux and Windows, along with the fact that I probably haven't used Linux as much as you kernal hackers.
As far as the whole spyware/virus comment goes

I use Firefox on my Windows machine. Quite possibly the same browser you use

Viruses: I remember getting one once on my Windows machine because I don't use a virus scanner and I downloaded something that was somewhat suspicious and ran it anyways. Reasons why there are more viruses for Windows machines: More Windows users than Linux users and the Linux users are the ones with enough computer knowledge to make viruses (that they then make for Windows machines because they hate Windows).
Just my opinions

**TheLlama** · 02-15-2005, 02:12 PM

I just wanted to mention that alot of Linux distros boot up very slow. The odd thing is, I hear about people having 2min+ boot times, mine is usually around 30secs. Usually these are the people who just installed Linux for the first time and they are upset because they aren't proficient in the enviroment yet. The other thing is, when a first time user chooses "Complete Installation" or "Default Install", the installer loads in TONS of stuff that isn't needed. TONS of kernel modules exists that will never be loaded, and many services are started that never needed to be. An experience Linux user knows how to get around this.

About having to download the OS. Sure you have to wait for it to download, but would you rather pay for CDs? If you would, then buy a distro CD! They are around $5. If you use a distribution such as Gentoo, you just download a small live cd, bootstrap the system, and all the packages are downloaded individually.

To sum things up: You don't just install Linux and it is perfectly how you want it. You have to install it then you can make it whatever you want. Linux is not like Windows, you HAVE to get your hands dirty, but when you do, you will be one with your computer.

**rubicon** · 02-15-2005, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by TheLlama

Linux is not like Windows, you HAVE to get your hands dirty, but when you do, you will be one with your computer.

<golf clap> My point exactly!

**TheLlama** · 02-15-2005, 03:32 PM

Oh, and I forgot to mention. Linux is the ultimate development platform. period. (well assuming you don't write VB for a living)

**mespork** · 02-15-2005, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by TheLlama

Oh, and I forgot to mention. Linux is the ultimate development platform. period. (well assuming you don't write VB for a living)

A man after my own heart.

**TheLlama** · 02-15-2005, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by brady

I think the whole "Linux is more stable than Windows" thing is either completely dead or much less of a reality now.

So you would trust a Windows system to run the software required for laser eye surgery or a nuclear power plant?

Originally Posted by brady

Linux users are the ones with enough computer knowledge to make viruses (that they then make for Windows machines because they hate Windows).

Uhh, where did you get that information? I could make a virus before I was a Linux user. Most Linux users don't hate Windows, they simply prefer Linux. For example, I boot into Windows to record music and play games. The productivity I gain from Linux makes this worthwhile. I always thought there were more viruses for Windows because more idiots use Windows. Idiots are easier to fool and know less about security. Windows is also inherently not as secure because it's file system isn't as secure.

**sumit_b** · 02-15-2005, 04:25 PM

Linux is an emerging OS. Give it some time, it will have great GUI in a few years. It is a bit intimidating for new users.

Linux excels when you get into the customization of the system (among other things). For instance, I have built an embedded system to run a framebuffer app only. The whole thing takes only 5 seconds to load after the BIOS post. And all this on a 200MHz computer with minimal RAM.

**mespork** · 02-15-2005, 04:35 PM

Sumit Birla, Haven't heard from you in a while, I just started looking at that tmrs code again the other week. When I get more time I would like to start working on it. But for now I have to do things like graduate and find a job.

Have you done any work on it lately?

**ddn** · 02-15-2005, 04:42 PM

0l33l: I have seen some of the dumbest, most un-informed, inane comments I have ever seen about Linux from you in the this thread. You "tried Linux 2 times" and it was slow and crashed? A default RedHat(Fedora) or SuSE install with everything installed is like booting up a PC fresh from Dell or HP loaded with ALL the software you would ever need. It is not akin to a clean Windows install with nothing useful. Just like Windows, its going to take a while to boot when you have ever single service turned on.

Is this "Linux's" fault? No. It is your fault that you are incompetent. Either install it without asking for everything to be installed, or learn how to turn services off. In fact, when the LinuxBIOS project gains some momentum, you can forget about waiting for POST.

You also claim that the system just crashed while idling. I find this incredibly, incredibly hard to believe. If it is even true, you have bad hardware. There is simply no other explanation. Also, keep in mind that if you tried these distros a long time ago, hardware support was not where it is today. Try to tell me Windows never crashes out of the blue because of a hardware driver.

Linux is not "what you make it", or the "ultimate development platform". Linux does not have a GUI. To make it a semantic argument, Linux is not even an OS it is a kernel. But to talk about it in common terms, Linux is just an operating system. Comparing "Linux" to Windows is, quite frankly, apples and oranges. Compare Fedora (or SuSE) to Windows, fine. Compare Fedora to MacOS X, fine. Compare OSX ot Windows, fine.

Quit being sheep who simply spread hearsay.