FELLOW FR GEEKS: Perceptions of the Linux OS Among Undergraduate System Administrators

Linux Journal ^ | 12 - 18 - 2K1 | Paul Barry

[rdb3]

While I'm fiercely pro-Linux (especially Redhat 7.2), I am not anti-Microsoft. No, I'm not a fan of Microsoft, just not a knee-jerk detractor of Redmond or Bill Gates.

I believe that the author here does display severely negative Microsoft views. However, he raises some outstanding points.

• Microsoft is indeed the benefactor from the falsely held belief that it is the innovator of the GUI. I'm surprised that Apple didn't get a mention here as well.

• The belief that a version of Linux is not actually free has been presented to me several times. Yes, it is completely free of charge when downloaded from a Linux distribution site (Redhat, Mandrake, TurboLinux, etc.). Where can you get a free copy of any Windows OS (legally)? Ain't gonna happen. Now, as one who has a business streak within me, you would think that the OS being free would be a huge positive point to promote the OS. But it is not. Go figure. Could it be the Microsoft marketing system that proves it is worth it to pay for an OS? Must be.

• Many here on FR buy into the thought that Microsoft produces superior software compared with its competitors. I have to shake my head at that line of thinking. But this myth is perpetrated ad infinitum. If one has not compared the stability of a Linux box with a Windows box, can that person honestly say that Microsoft is actually more stable, therefore, "superior?"

Be that as it may, I do believe that the perception and teaching of Linux is important in the IT world since not every company has Windows server OSes on the backend. And with the Samba package in use, there is no need for an NT server to be on the backend since it allows Windows files to be shared and modified across the network.

My former company saved a ton of money by using Redhat as its server, and as long as we SysAdmins knew what we were doing, they never stopped singing its praises (although from a purely fiscal point of view).

Comments, fellow geeks? Flame away if necessary.

[sasquatch]

I think you got the wrong channel. Try NBC.

[Billy_bob_bob]

I find myself wondering about the viability of a business based upon walking into existing companies and loading Linux on all of their old Windows boxes, loading up StarOffice, Samba, and any other apps they need, and charging for the service. I'm sure someone out there is doing this, but is it a profitable business to get into?

[Jaxter]

This has to be the best written and best formatted vanity post I've seen in the last 4+ years. I'm in awe.

[isthisnickcool]

Could have their names? I'd like to make sure I never hire any of these mush-heads.

[sasquatch]

Many here on FR buy into the thought that Microsoft produces superior software compared with its competitors. I have to shake my head at that line of thinking. But this myth is perpetrated ad infinitum.

Shake shake shake

[Leroy S. Mort]

Along the same lines, Why Betamax is better than VHS.

[Knitebane]

Well, no honest and well-thought out article about the shortcomings of the Microsoft Empire would be complete without a some comments from you two.

Crank up your copies of MS SpinControl and MS FUDSpewer and come opine, please.

We await your presence with bated breath.

Knitebane

[RedBloodedAmerican]

as a consequence, allow them to learn a little more about Linux

Silly, the entire thing is slanted towards Linux/anti-MS. What would you expect? It's like watching CBS and hoping to hear reports of excellence on President Bush! DOH

[rdb3]

And your point is? It was addressed to my Freeper Geeks, and it is posted under Miscellaneous.

What's your problem?

[Big Dan]

That's www.slashdot.org

[wireplay]

In my opinion, this is one of the worst vanity posts in awhile that I have read. It is clearly written but there is no objectivity.

Sitting in an airport using my cellphone as a modem does not allow me enough time. I will boil it down quickly: a professional paid programmer will do a better job than one who does it part time for free. MS produces a better value than anyone else out there. Period. The people who describe MS in such negative terms are in the same camp as betamax and dvorak folks. Neither of these technologies lost due to 'marketing', 'spin', etc. They lost because people see higher value with the alternatives. Not technology: value.

As soon as someone in the linux camp is as successful at articulating a vision as Bill Gates, let me know. If they do articulate a better vision then they will pull linux from the part-timers and make it truly commercial. Linux is fine in an ASP environment due to licensing fees but the average user doesn't care and the average business user has bigger needs such as integration. MS stomps all over Linux on the latter. Sorry guys but look at ASP.NET, BizTalk Server, Commerce Server, Office, Smart Tags, etc. Top it off with Visual.Studios.NET and you have a better platform for developing BUSINESS value. Not academics, BUSINESS value. That's what wins marketplaces. People use at home what they use at work and I have never seen Linux articulate a clear strategy for how they will deliver value to the enterprise other than licensing. Will you cut my development time, will you have my product marketing costs, will you simplify my integration with x,y,z.

Thanks for having students respond to your survey but it is not that important (except as an academic exercise). What are corporations doing? Read InfoWorld and find out why MS is kicking butt. Better yet, buy MS stock and enjoy how widely regarded it is. Stock price equates to perceived value. It is an abundently easy measure of marketplace perception.

Sorry guys. Linux has a place but it will never be more than the Mac vs Windows debate.

[ThinkPlease]

Thanks for the heads up! Don't worry, this sysadmin is pushing Linux in a big way in our environment!

[rdb3]

You can't post about Linux on FR.

Says who? You? JimRob hasn't complained.

Slashdot is similar to FR with respect to differences of opinion. But it is a geek paradise, even if they have some flaming lefties over there. Conservatives post there as well.

[AppyPappy]

That's because FR runs under Redhat.

[AppyPappy]

You'll never go wrong buying IBM. And my old company bought a ton of Model 70's running OS/2.

[Michael Barnes]

Actually, it's /.
;)

[Jaxter]

Well, just as long as there's still cheese...

[Michael Barnes]

Thanks for the article bud.