[vox] Fwd: Re: is the Linux desktop OS dead? (fwd)

[Gandalf Parker]

On Tue, 24 Nov 2009, Michael Cheselka wrote:
> 
> Linux could do better if we fixed the many packing systems.  On a
> Windows system, I can just download and open a .exe or .msi to add a
> package, and go to the control panel to remove a package.  Most
> packages for Windows can be installed on XP, Vista, and Windows 7
> without worry.  On Linux, too often, it matters what your Linux system
> is like.  We need a better scheme.

Actually I would consider that to be one of the things that has Linux in a 
better position than Windows. Of course everything has its pros and cons. You 
seem to understand the advantages of the Windows system but that is also one of 
the things that has led to some of the major complaints about Windows.

PRO anyone can write and distribute for Windows
CON anyone can write and distribute for Windows

I do not think Linux needs to go down that road. And definetly not an advantage 
if it does. One of the things I tell people about Linux is that most of the 
distros have a pop-up catalog. Any new thing I want to do I just search the 
catalog and tag it. It downloads, installs, and configs usually without any 
questions being asked. Of course you CAN pick up programs off-catalog and those 
take abit more effort to install but I think that is also a pro/con thing. Its 
good that off-catalog items take more effort.

HOPEFULLY all of us here are at LEAST linuxy enough to check the catalogs for 
our distro before looking elsewhere online for softwares. If you always do the 
windowsy thing of googling and downloading anything you find then of course you 
will be unhappy. You are missing one of the good things about linux. Sometimes 
I forget and google first. But I usually emember before actually installing and 
remember to check the catalog then. Im rarely disappointed. And the auto-update 
is well worth choosing catalog items whenever possible.
(disclaimer: Im probably using the wrong term or catalog)


Gandalf  Parker