Win to Mac – Why not move to Linux?
We are documenting the move of a business user from the Windows platform on a PC to the OS X platform on a Mac. Why would such a user move to the Mac and not to Linux?
To many people, the move from Windows to Mac and O SX might seem very odd indeed. To them, Linux would seem a better choice. Personally, I get along fine with *nix. I first used it in the Berkeley flavor in 1981, at Berkeley, as a matter of fact. I have used it on and off ever since, on a variety of platforms and in a number of flavors. But even in the Ubuntu variant of the Linux flavor, *nix still does not have what it takes to be Everyman’s Operating System.
Why not? Even with a user-friendly version of Linux, you have to spend too much time in the basement mucking about with the plumbing. Most people, certainly well over 95 percent, simply will not do that. To continue the metaphor, they just want to call a plumber, not get out the wrenches. That is too bad, since Linux is so very close to realizing the *nix dream of an operating system for all of us.
What still has to happen before Linux will make the cut for the ordinary user? Get it to support all of the hardware that XP does, and maybe then some. Make it as easy to use as XP is, and maybe make it even easier. Make it so nobody has to play with the plumbing unless they want to. Do that, and it’s a winner in the marketplace. Don’t do it, and Linux will stay where it is: a good system for servers and for geeks and hobbyists like you and me.
A parenthetical note: in a large corporate environment, changing to Linux would make at least as much sense as changing to OS X, for one big reason. The IT support folks are primarily geeks. They might work on Windows machines, but they are born tinkerers. Most of them are probably Linux-savvy, either working on corporate Web servers or using *nix at home. They could probably support Linux in their sleep.
Next time: Why I left Windows.
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December 27th, 2008
When I installed Linux for the first time on my PC the mouse refused to work. It took a half hour to fix that problem and since then its been smooth sailing.
However I can imagine a typical user reaction to such a situation since my family is full of them….
“Yeeeearrghh! My expensive PC is runed! Turn it back!”
Of course, once they are back on Windows they won’t bother to install security software and then they will download unbelievable crap like toolbars, nude screensavers and assorted bullshit.
People=Stupid
December 28th, 2008
People buy Macs in order not to deal with that crap. It’s a computer, designed to provide actual utility. If I wanted a ‘73 Nova, I’d get one…
December 28th, 2008
We can have two approaches about this. One is the options in Linux to some things, tasks, etc and other (my case) is when you’re tired to install, compile, reinstall, solve dependencies, etc etc etc.
After 7 years working very close with FLOSS and more than 10 in Windows, I’m tired to spend a lot of time to make stupid things like run a simple mp3 player software. Today I spend time reading anything and I leave these tasks to a “click-leave” task to install anything.
Also, I have the best of three worlds in the same hardware; if I need a Linux, open a virtualbox and voilá; if I need a Windows, Parallels starts and finish. Nothing more, nothing less. But, if I need a machine to day-by-day tasks, Mac OS does what I need without complication.
December 28th, 2008
90% of the computers I’ve installed Linux on have required no additional configuration aside from installing restricted software which can’t legally be shipped on the installation disc. And even that was much easier to do than it is on a freshly installed Windows system, as there were friendly dialogs that are capable of walking even the most technology-illiterate person through it.
And I honestly don’t understand why so many people still say Windows XP is easier to use than _any modern Linux distro_, unless they’re referring to the 10% (at most) systems out there whose hardware isn’t immediately recognized (and even then, the complaint is only valid if they’re comparing a fresh install of Linux to a pre-installed Windows system, which isn’t even a fair comparison – try doing a fresh install of Windows and see how much of your hardware is immediately and properly recognized). And of that 10%, 99% of the time, the hardware in question can be made to work, and afterwards, Linux will still be easier to use than Windows.
December 28th, 2008
“We are documenting the move of a business user from the Windows platform on a PC to the OS X platform on a Mac. Why would such a user move to the Mac and not to Linux?”
Maybe because this is a Mac blog — you have a Mac and Vista section, but not a Linux one?
December 28th, 2008
I agree with “contrast” that most Linux installs go very smoothly and require no intervention.
But “most” isn’t good enough. I can recommend that my non-geekish neighbors buy Macs – they certainly aren’t going to have any installation problems unless they got defective hardware and in that case, they’ll just return it.
But Linux? Unless I’m going to do it for them, I can’t be sure everything will go well. It probably will, but if it doesn’t, they are not going to be able to fix it.
I help my neighbors for free. What do you think I’m going to recommend?
December 28th, 2008
It is amazing the comments that this subject engenders, and those so far have been very mild. Linux devotees feel that their OS of choice has no flaws. Mac fans think there should be no choice, either. Windows fans… well, what can you say about Windows fans? I used Windows ever day almost forever. I have used *nix on and off for years and love it. Now that I have used the OS X flavor of *nix, I love it to death.
Every one of you makes a valid point. Some of you have even managed to see more than one point of view. All I can say is that Blorge has a very intelligent reader base. Thanks for letting us know how you feel!
December 28th, 2008
The biggest issue with Linux remains wireless support. It remains atrocious.
As to the rest, the author is still living in 1981 in Berkley. If you stick to the repositories, Linux has the most advanced software management system period.
Claiming expertise with FOSS and then limiting your choices with software lock-in, Windows, to hardware and software lock in, Mac is a head scratcher.
@Anthony
“I help my neighbors for free. What do you think I’m going to recommend?”
Obviously what’s in your best interest. Nice guy.
December 29th, 2008
Because user interface shortcomings and inconsistencies are rife, and such things annoy me although they don’t seem to be much of an issue to the designers. I have a netbook running Xubuntu (after getting rid of the hideous manufacturer-supplied flavour of Linux) and, although the applications do the job, they do it clunkily. An example is the almost unusable menu editor: at least, it would appear, it is going to be improved for xfce v4.6.
Whereas, with Mac OS X, the UI is nailed down by a very extensive and easily available style guide which is baked into the collective consciousness. Woe betide anyone who ignores it – someone, somewhere will notice and complain.
December 30th, 2008
@Alastair
You have a GUI designed as a low impact system for meager hardware. OSX, even if you could load it, would make the system unusable.
Gnome would be a better choice. Or a different Distro like Puppy or Damn Small or……I know “inconsistencies” or choice and freedom as many of us call it, is so inconvenient. Ironic your argument has more in common with the lock step lemming 1984 commercial while Linux tosses the hammer.