How to win a Linux-Windows debate??

[i.mehrzad]

I agree to a very large degree that Linux is the better OS when compared with Windows. But somehow i loose out in convincing my friends with that.

Whenever i am in a conversation about the same i am in the minority and seem to loose in the conversation.

Any tips on how to win such a conversation.

The main point due to which i loose is 'Games'.

I counter argue this by simply saying: Games are for kids, Linux is for Adults, and an adult am i.(Not trying to hurt any gamers)

[chris200x9]

cube
battle for wesnoth
neverball
armagetron
the list goes on there are games for linux, there is also WINE, cedega, etc.

[Fenris_rising]

You will never win this argument.

but you are safe in the knowledge that you have superior;

Security
Stability
Community support
You can 'Tweak' thhe living daylights out of you system to your liking.

regards

Fenris

[SuperSonic4]

Computing is about more than games, once you get a bit older you may realise that.

If you're against hardcore gamers you'll never win.

[kernelhaxor]

Thats a never-ending debate. I see an OS as a personal choice. For a gamer, being able to play games might be the most important aspect he expects from a OS and for such a person, Windows is the winner.
Even other than games, some people just like the way things are in their respective choices for OS, so I would say its a personal preference.

[smbm]

The only winning move is not to play.

How about a nice game of chess?

[Simian Man]

Be honest. Tell them that technologically Linux is better in every way. The one disadvantage is that many developers only target Windows so you can't play some games. If they don't care about the technology, then Linux *isn't* better for them.

[Therion]

I don't really try to "convince" people to come over to Ubuntu. If they want to come over to Ubuntu I'm glad to help with what I can to ease the transition.

Arguing about which is the better OS is a fools errand in my opinion.

I do tell people, frequently, that I got sick and tired of running around in circles maintaining my computer under Windows and got back to working on my PC with Linux.

[TheAL76]

The only winning move is not to play.

How about a nice game of chess?

Oh be quiet, Joshua. :smile:

[kahlil88]

The only downsides to running a GNU/Linux are all politics oriented. People complain that GNU/Linux systems don't support MP3, AAC, DivX, etc. out of the box, but they don't realize that these formats are patented and that the decoders can't legally be distributed. Then there's the games issue. Windows runs the most and best commercial games because it's the most popular platform. Then there's hardware support. Many vendors decide not to open their hardware specifications, which leaves the community to write the drivers themselves in their precious free time.

[lukjad007]

The only winning move is not to play.

How about a nice game of chess?
+1

Don't play that game. If you want to impress people with the good points of Linux, that's one thing. Trying to cram it down their throats is just going to make them retch at the mear mention of it.

Now, if you feel the need to win, and don't want to play chess, got for a campaign in Wesnoth. :D

[donkyhotay]

The only downsides to running a GNU/Linux are all politics oriented.

But that weakness is also a strength, it's open-ness that proprietary software companies hate is the reason it's so secure and stable. Sure there are some things I can't do with linux (latest games, view certain file formats), but those are honestly minor things compared to the advantage of knowing the file formats I do use will not lock me out of anything in a year or so (DRM), or that I need to pay hundreds of dollars for the latest greatest games. While they may not have the eye candy I'm quite content with the FOSS linux native games available which I've found have great replay value quite some time later compared to commercial games which seem designed to be exciting when you first get them but boring a few months later. Even my windows user friends are more likely to play battle for wesnoth when we play together then anything else.

[MasterNetra]

+1

Don't play that game. If you want to impress people with the good points of Linux, that's one thing. Trying to cram it down their throats is just going to make them retch at the mear mention of it.

Now, if you feel the need to win, and don't want to play chess, got for a campaign in Wesnoth. :D

I never win at that game :p

Choosing a OS is like choosing a religion... Although Windows is strength is the number of products/High-End Games for it, but mostly just good for gaming. Linux..pretty much good for everything else. Mac...secure but not much for it really but if you need to use Adobe Products then it probably be a better idea to use it instead of windows.. But thats my take on it anyway :/

[Dragonbite]

Games may one day be a moot(ish) point. Mono is getting more and more acceptance in gaming engines which may help drive to cross-platform development (write once, deploy everywhere.. sounds familiar).

It's already being supported or used by Second Life I think.

Unfortunately it is going to take a LOOOOOOOONG time to make it to Linux-Nirvana, but any step in that direction is a good one! :)

[i.mehrzad]

My argument goes around the same way Therion put it.

I find it stupid to spend half of ones time in just updating an antivrirus, cause that is like one half of the problem in Windows.

And believe me i have never booted my Windows machine for reasons apart from Matlab.

[Jose Catre-Vandis]

"It's your choice, you have the freedom to choose, so choose wisely"

"As Confucius says:"

"Now, where does (such) a man derive his power and knowledge, except from himself?"

(from my personal collection of "The Worlds Greatest Put Downs" (that will probably go right over the head of the intended target!)) ;)

[Chame_Wizard]

97% of the Internet is using Unix family (mostly GNULinux,BSD)since 1969:lolflag:.

email?Unix family
WWW?Unix family
FTP?Unix family
file sharing?Unix family
online chat(IRC and IM)?Unix family
(heavy games,movies)servers/supercomputer?LINUX/BSD

FREEDOM as user/of chice?Unix family

:guitar:

[Kareeser]

You can't "win" a Windows-vs-Linux battle if they are already committed to not using Linux.

A huge part of the transition to Linux is the need or want for a new operating system. If you view Linux with a skeptical eye, it will never work for you.