Operating Systems suck. All of them. Lately, I've been hearing a bit too much of the following, and would like to state my opinion for discussion.
I've heard a lot of, "Windows suck, due to <problem fixed since Win98>," and "Linux/Ubuntu sucks because it's not familiar," and "Mac's are the best, they can do ANYTHING!"
Well, first of all, Windows has a lot of issues that just don't crop up in Unix-based OSes. Unfortunately, people are used to these problems as just the baggage that come with a PC. This is definitely a problem, and although I won't use Windows for personal reasons, I hope they can turn around and start to fix some of their problems.
Saying that Linux sucks due to a lack of familiarity compared to a completely different system is also a null argument. That's like saying that, since you just bought a Mac, they should rework the interface to look like Windows. It's simply short-sightedness.
And, just because Macs come with a useful set of programs, that certainly doesn't mean it can do ANYTHING. Just means you're a bit delusional and you have a narrow understanding of 'anything'. All three of these OSes can do the basics.
And that brings up my main point- just as Mark has stated, Windows getting better and more dependable is GOOD. It means that modern computing has a better chance of evolving and going somewhere, and it will give better exposure to the true benefits to each system, instead of a raging cynicism.
I personally believe that, due to portability and extensibility, Linux will easily and quickly be able to support any feature within a reasonable timeframe. Along with increasingly cross-platform solutions and an open-minded software industry, this means that eventually all Operatings Systems will just be trying to come up with the innovation Linux has always found natural.
This is already happening. So, rather than lauding the benefits of Linux over another option, or insulting the past faults of any company, I think it is important to Ubuntu, as the most popular Linux distribution, to be humble.
It is important for the community to have an introspective view of the operating system, not an elitist view. Let people who do marketing do the comparisons- the happy users should be heading to Brainstorm and thinking of additional features that could improve usability and productivity. That is, unless you really don't care XD.
We have a chance to see technology reform itself into our digital lifestyles with open source software, and as with any blessing in our lives, we should try to nurture and cultivate it, rather than simply proclaim it as awesome.
That said, I do believe that Linux is the most advanced and extensible operating system to date, and I can't imagine how any proprietary operating system can match it at the root level, with customizability and personalization.
Sure, we might have all the same open source applications and abilities on all operating systems, but why not have all that for free, and with stability and speed? The choice is obvious, and whether we become the majority or not, we should act as if Ubuntu has the majority of the market and focus on really improving the experience.
Any comments? Disputation? Agreement? What do you think about current OSes, the responsibilities of the community, the future, etc?
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