Contrary to what it looks like, this really isn’t about bashing any particular FUD, just FUD in general about Linux. Now, obviously, since I use Ubuntu, my responses will be restricted to what I’ve seen in that, but I’m sure a lot of it will be common to many of the Linux distributions. So, let’s look at some of the things that are said about Linux, and what the reality is about them:
1. Installing new software and updating existing software in Linux isn’t for the faint-hearted, and most people won’t be able to figure out how to do it.
1. REALITY – The hardest way would be to use “sudo apt-get install [name of application]“. The way I usually do it is to simply go to Synaptic and install the package and all dependencies that it needs. That covers installation. Now what about updates? Update Manager goes looking every morning at about 8:00 LOCAL TIME. If there are any updates to ANYTHING from the initial install, or installed subsequently through Synaptic or apt-get, it will offer to download and install them.
2. In addition, Windows 7 has eye candy and extra features that Linux lacks.
2. REALITY – You want eye-candy? I’m running Kubuntu Jaunty RC right now. When I shift desktops (I’ve got 4 set up to use, right now) you can see the cube of desktops circle around to the newly selected one. There are other ways I could do that, as well as all sorts of ways that I could have windows maximize, minimize, or close out. I don’t bother with them, though. I’m a bit of a conservative. Then there’s screensavers. How about a fiber-optic lamp that rotates and changes color? That’s only one of many, some of them very “retro” style and old fashioned, and some that are quite modern and attractive. I could even have swimming whales, if I wanted. Eye-candy? You want some? See Linux.
3. Since no one company owns Linux, there won’t be any marketing muscle for Linux.
3. REALITY – There are computer manufacturers that have learned the value of Linux, from major ones, like System76 to small refurbishing shops like RedSeven. Since Linux doesn’t require the latest, most expensive hardware, manufacturers can put together systems that cost THEM less, and offer them for less than the cost of a Windows machine, and STILL get a good return for their investment. They’re the ones that will be doing the pushing. And that’s not counting the various forms of marketing engaged in by such as Red Hat and Canonical (to say nothing of all the LoCos that help push Linux).
4. Linux is for techies, and is difficult to learn.
4. REALITY – I really wish people would get off the “techie” schtick. Its comedy value was never great, and has dropped off remarkably over some 10 years or more. I’m not a techie. I’m not a geek. I’m simply a guy that wants to use a computer that doesn’t frustrate me. I want to be able to visit my favorite web sites, get my email, chat with fellow travelers. I want to be able to write articles for this blog, or do summaries for newsletters. I want to have “productivity tools” available for doing presentations or spreadsheets. I want to be able to build a database for my library or music collection. Occasionally, I want to be able to stretch beyond myself and try new things. I can do all of that quickly and effectively in Linux, without having to learn esoteric commands or know how many sectors are in a hard drive. And, as for difficult to learn, well, my wife was a dedicated Microsoft user. She offered to try Ubuntu. Now, the three computers in the household all run Linux. Even the Dell Mini 9. She’s had no trouble learning to use it, and very few questions.
So, I hope this answers, once and for all, some of the FUD that’s been touted about Linux. And I would hope that it would also cause one to do the REAL research about other things one hears. There’s a lot of garbage out there (I won’t even dignify it with the term “spin”). This garbage is being planted by people who are in the pay of commercial enterprises that want you to believe that Linux is no good. Don’t believe their words, try it for yourself.
Note that for Ubuntu Jaunty default reality number one will be slightly different. The update-notifier will still check like it does now, but it won’t let you know about security updates for up to two days or regular updates for up to a week.
By: ScottK on April 22, 2009
at 9:55 pm
ScottK,
I’m going to ask you to verify that with a link, if you would please. This is the first time I’ve heard that there would be any delay between the time the update hits the repos and the time that update Manager downloads and installs it. Or, perhaps I’m reading what you wrote the wrong way? Perhaps you could clarify for me.
By: tycheent on April 22, 2009
at 10:10 pm
[...] Adventures in a Perambulator put an intriguing blog post on Lies, Damned Lies, and FUDHere’s a quick excerptContrary to what it looks like, this really isn’t about bashing any particular FUD, just FUD in general about Linux. Now, obviously, since I use Ubuntu, my responses will be restricted to what I’ve seen in that, but I’m sure a lot of it will be common to many of the Linux distributions. So, let’s look at some of the things that are said about Linux, and what the reality is about them: 1. Installing new software and updating existing software in Linux isn’t for the faint-hearted, and most p [...]
By: Topics about Microsoft » Lies, Damned Lies, and FUD on April 22, 2009
at 10:32 pm
[...] Adventures in a Perambulator added an interesting post today on Lies, Damned Lies, and FUDHere’s a small readingContrary to what it looks like, this really isn’t about bashing any particular FUD, just FUD in general about Linux. Now, obviously, since I use Ubuntu, my responses will be restricted to what I’ve seen in that, but I’m sure a lot of it will be common to many of the Linux distributions. So, let’s look at some of the things that are said about Linux, and what the reality is about them: 1. Installing new software and updating existing software in Linux isn’t for the faint-hearted, and most p [...]
By: Topics about Last-words | Lies, Damned Lies, and FUD on April 22, 2009
at 10:44 pm
[...] Top Gadgets created an interesting post today on Craig A. Eddy: Lies, Damned Lies, and FUDHere’s a short outline…through Synaptic or apt-get, it will offer to download and install them. … as for difficult to learn, well, my wife was a dedicated Microsoft [...]
By: Topics about Microsoft » Craig A. Eddy: Lies, Damned Lies, and FUD on April 22, 2009
at 10:45 pm
tycheent:
It was discussed ad nauseum on ubuntu-devel when the whole notify-osd/Update Manager thing came up. The designers felt that people were getting pestered with updates and as there is now no update-notifier icon by default they didn’t want to open a window very frequently.
By: Jordan on April 22, 2009
at 11:10 pm
Jordan,
Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely have to look into this. I’m one who hates to have functionality arbitrarily taken away from me. Nor have I ever felt it was a chore to accept updates and enter a password, since the “hard work” was being done in the background and I could continue on with what I was doing.
By: tycheent on April 22, 2009
at 11:21 pm
Indeed, I think removing the notifier is a stupidly dangerous. Patches (especially security patches) are there for good reason.
Delaying their release and uptake by even a few hours could mean the difference between bliss and a hacked computer.
If people want to ignore the updates, surely they can ignore the notification icon, but if you ask me, it should be flashing and spinning. People should update.
By: Oli on April 23, 2009
at 12:50 am
Apparently, security updates will be offered on a daily basis as before but other updates are being offered once a week. The previous 8.10-behaviour can be forced, though.
Have a look at the release notes for 9.04.
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/904
By: CB on April 23, 2009
at 12:57 am
[...] [...]
By: Video | Enjolt.com | Innovate for Success on April 23, 2009
at 3:55 am
I would like to thank all the nice Microsoft promotional sites that have linked directly to my site without adding any derogatory comments or criticisms.
Thank you
By: tycheent on April 23, 2009
at 8:06 am
You meant to say statistics, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics
lol, j/k.
By: AK on April 23, 2009
at 10:57 am
AK,
Well, you see, it’s like this: I don’t think Mr. Clemens had any FUDsters, spinmeisters, PR hacks or the like around in his day. But he had a number of statisticians.
By: tycheent on April 23, 2009
at 11:08 am
CB:
“Weekly” isn’t quite accurate either. If you manually update in between, the update manager will open a week after the last time you did that.
By: Mackenzie on April 23, 2009
at 11:41 am
thanks for sharing
By: web tasarım on April 23, 2009
at 1:30 pm
There is a FAQ that explains, among other things, how the update manager changed and how to revert that change. (http://ubuntulinuxtipstricks.blogspot.com/2009/04/jaunty-faq.html)
The explanation though is that it is now more intrusive (i.e. full window vs. notifier) and it checks for security update once every 24 hours and shows other updates once per week.
FTA:
What happened to the little orange update notifier icon?
* The update manager window will open on its own within a day of when security updates become available. As for regular updates, the update manager will open a week after the last time you updated.
* If you want the old way back, run this: gconftool -s –type bool /apps/update-notifier/auto_launch false
By: Nathan Nutter on April 23, 2009
at 8:23 pm