21–30 of 45 posts
I'm as big a fan of Ubuntu as anyone, and I'm glad to see Dell supporting a MS alternative. However, the absence of a fully supported Linux version of iTunes prevents me from adopting Ubuntu as my primary operating system.
Run a VM with Windows just for iTunes.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Run a VM with Windows just for iTunes.
I used to do that, but I think now the better recommendation is just to ditch Apple. My HTC Incredible is a great phone, and I love Amarok.
Their list isn't compelling. Especially for a mainstream consumer. The list basically argues that Ubuntu doesn't suck. Most of the topics try to position Ubuntu as comparable to Windows. Being comparable isn't going to motivate a consumer to switch. Especially when they have been using Windows for xx years. Too much selling features, not enough selling benefits.
It's free. When that's your starting point, "it doesn't suck" is pretty compelling.
The Games checkbox was a little misleading. The vast majority of the types of games a typical Windows PC "Joe Blow" kind of user expects to play are Windows-only and/or don't run (or run well anyway) on Linux. Some games, yes. And Flash or browser-based games, sure.
Surprised Dell is so enthusiastic as some of the claims aren't quite the whole truth... Like stating that openoffice is not available in windows, or that MS Office formats are fully supported. Regardless, I get more and more respect for Dell as they continue to embrace MS alternatives.
The Games checkbox was a little misleading. The vast majority of the types of games a typical Windows PC "Joe Blow" kind of user expects to play are Windows-only and/or don't run (or run well anyway) on Linux. Some games, yes. And Flash or browser-based games, sure.
PC games will run with wine, but that isn't exactly out of the box like the check list presents.
Their list isn't compelling. Especially for a mainstream consumer. The list basically argues that Ubuntu doesn't suck. Most of the topics try to position Ubuntu as comparable to Windows. Being comparable isn't going to motivate a consumer to switch. Especially when they have been using Windows for xx years. Too much selling features, not enough selling benefits.
Photo Editing with The GIMP is FREE on Microsoft Windows AND Ubuntu. Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware are FREE on Microsoft Windows using Avast! (and alternatives). OpenOffice is available for FREE on Microsoft Windows. OpenOffice, while quite good, is not 100% Microsoft Office compatible.
I've used Linux for over 15 years; hate Windows with a passion. Hate lies even more.
Hmm, arguing GNU/Linux is better than Windows on security is passé. Torvalds too often dismisses security bugs.
Not an expert on windows security, but the traditional answer is the fundamental user handling in Unix solves a lot of problems. I admit ignorance to the validity of the claim, a detailed comparison would be appreciated.
Windows NT has had users and permissions providing similar functionality to what Unix offers for a very long time[0]. NT ACLs have actually been more sophisticated than standard Unix permissions for at least ten years.
The problem on Windows is the defaults and the behavior of third-party developers. Windows developers worked for a long time with the expectation that the system was single-user (Win9x) or that the user had administrator privileges, making doing anything else annoying at best. XP defaulted to making everybody an administrator, at least in the home edition. That has changed with Vista and Win7.
[0] I think some versions targeted at home users do not expose the full ACL functionality.
