Mexit, not Brexit, is the new priority for the UK

The Register ^ | Fri 8 Aug 2025 | Rupert Goodwins

[Snowybear]

Apache has a great alternative to Microsuck Office, been using it for years.

Linux is great if you want to compute at the command line level. The GUI is crap.

I’ve been doing this since VT100 terminals. I’ve forgotten more programming languages than most Gen Z software engineers even know.

I just landed a three year contract after looking for work for 8 months at age 60. After this I’m out.

I landed the contract without an interview. Puts the last 8 months of job searching as a full time job in question. WTF?!

-SB

[powerset]

“Linux is great if you want to compute at the command line level. The GUI is crap.”

“*The* GUI”?

Unlike Windows or Mac, there are many GUIs available to run on Linux. Which one(s) are you talking about?

Were you referring to a GUI that expects you to “fundamentally transform” the way you work? Or one that has the flashy look of video games?

My Linux GUI (currently XFCE based) is set up the way I like it. It’s in the same general style as classic Windows (e.g., XP, 7), but with 3 independent toolbars, and numerous tweaks for readability and elegance.

But you are right in saying Linux is great for command-line programming. (And Windows seems finally to have caught up, via Powershell.)

P.S. Years ago, I found the command line to be a great improvement over batch processing with punched cards. I had to use those when I started on the IBM 704 back in 1961. It was the same in 1962-64, when our group of 3 had to use batch processing with paper tape, as well as cards, in developing our 2 Algol 60 compilers.

[Snowybear]

It’s been a long time since I played with Linux GUIs.

I used punch cards in college on a CDC6000.

-SB