Linux and its identity crisis

from WinCustomize Forums
Here's another Linux article that, since I'm not a Linux user, pointed out some interesting facts. Seems to me if Linux is going to a valid alternative to MS they really need to come to an agreement which version it is going to be.

If your're interested, check out the c/net News.com link below.

If you've been following the current rift in the Linux community between Linus Torvalds and his minions squaring off against Con Kolivas and the mainstream Linux fanatics, you probably know that it's getting quite heated. You also probably know that these two entirely different ideas could create three possible paths Linux can take for the future: stay geeky and appeal to the advanced tech guru in all of us; go mainstream and leave the advanced functionality and reliable kernel behind to compete with Microsoft and Apple; or face a "civil war" that could lead to total Linux annihilation.

WWW Link
160,237 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Actually people who write these sorts of articles don't really seem to understand Linux or the Linux community in general. While there is always a bit of sniping between various factions within the community in the end it only serves to make Linux better.

As 'Linux' is actually only the kernel, and each GNU/Linux 'flavor' is in essence a different although related operating system, having different operating systems targeting specific users or niches is hardly a threat to the survival of Linux overall and in fact has led to a great many improvements in GNU/Linux operating systems in recent years.

There will always be differences of opinion between the purists, the practical, and the mercenary. I personally think it's a good thing as that's about as far from a monopoly as one can get.

One major flaw of thought among some people, particularly those of the author, is that they seem to think that the goal of the Linux community is to develop a replacement or competition for MS. Although there is a small group who think this way, the majority of the Linux community simply couldn't care less about this and aren't at all concerned with MS one way or the other. We each have our favorite 'flavor' of Linux, mine being Slackware Linux, and many of us dabble with others, but in the end developing something to compete with MS simply isn't a factor at all.
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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
One major flaw of thought among some people, particularly those of the author, is that they seem to think that the goal of the Linux community is to develop a replacement or competition for MS. Although there is a small group who think this way, the majority of the Linux community simply couldn't care less about this and aren't at all concerned with MS one way or the other. We each have our favorite 'flavor' of Linux, mine being Slackware Linux, and many of us dabble with others, but in the end developing something to compete with MS simply isn't a factor at all.


MasonM thanks for leaving a reply. You also provide information that explains much better just what Linux is all about. Appreciate it.  

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Does anyone know the numbers of computers that are running Linux? Since it's open source I wonder if anyone is able to track that sort of thing?  
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Does anyone know the numbers of computers that are running Linux? Since it's open source I wonder if anyone is able to track that sort of thing?  


While there aren't any hard numbers as there aren't any licenses sold, there are millions of registered Linux users around the world, and many government and corporate users.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
And there's me. And between myself, Mason, and BlueDev, we're the only ones that really matter.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
And there's me. And between myself, Mason, and BlueDev, we're the only ones that really matter.


Bite my ass, SC...  

There's three running in our tiny community.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Bite my ass, SC...


Oh yeah! Sorry to forget you, Gid. So there's four of us rockin' Linux lovers here . . .
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You guys forgot me.

Ubuntu user for about 1-2 years now.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
You guys forgot me.


It's 'cuz you don't post often enough, XX. That makes five.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Oh come on........I even had forgotten I made this post.  >:(

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

Holy shit, now that's a necropost...

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting psychoak, reply 12

Holy shit, now that's a necropost...
End of psychoak's quote

Ah...but not the oldest [though it's close]...;)

Reply #14 from LittleTinyFrogs Forums Top

Huh. What happened in the end, then?

 

(also fwiw: tried to install a Linux a few years ago, didn't support my hardware even though it said it did, also annoyed me with a confusing installation - no thanks)

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting hedetet, reply 14

Huh. What happened in the end, then?
End of hedetet's quote

The butler did it....;)

 

Not a lot.  Linux is still around.....and still being used by guys in propeller hats.

And in spite of all recent attempts by MS to bugger-up Windows the market share is still 'curiosity-level'...;)

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

And they said "Arise oh Necrothread" and it arose, smelling like onions and old socks :P

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Nimbin, reply 16

And they said "Arise oh Necrothread" and it arose, smelling like onions and old socks :P
End of Nimbin's quote

Yeah, nothing attracts flies like a necrothread. :grin:

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Bzzzz bzzzz

Reply #20 from Elemental Forums Top

Necrothreads attract flies because of their content?  

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting ElanaAhova, reply 20

Necrothreads attract flies because of their content?  
End of ElanaAhova's quote
'

Nah, it's just the smell ! x_x

And you notice how it's usually the same old farts who respond every time a necrothread resurfaces? :grin:

Now I'm not suggesting anything here... like it could just be a coincidence and the two aren't connected. O:)

Though if anybody notices the smell of sheep, well we all know who brought that. :-"

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 21

And you notice how it's usually the same old farts who respond every time a necrothread resurfaces?
End of starkers's quote

Well, this one has to get there to check whether it's a legit resurrection or a spam-bot...;)

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 22


Quoting starkers,
reply 21

And you notice how it's usually the same old farts who respond every time a necrothread resurfaces?



Well, this one has to get there to check whether it's a legit resurrection or a spam-bot...;)

End of Jafo's quote

Well hat's your story and I guess you're sticking to it.    Mine is: time goes so much faster the older you get, so it's not as necro to me as it would be to the yoing uns around here... and regardless of time, it's so hard these days to remember if I've seen a thread before or not.

:O

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 Maybe its a repressed memory.

Reply #25 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 21


Now I'm not suggesting anything here... like it could just be a coincidence and the two aren't connected. O:)

Though if anybody notices the smell of sheep, well we all know who brought that. :-"
End of starkers's quote

Of course, we all know that a positive or negative correlation between two things is definite and irrefutable proof that of a causal relationship between them.  One caused the other.  Ask any member of the church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster for lots of charts proving this.  :)

OH, real necrothreads on the tv show : 'the Strain.'