Quote:Original post by DeadXorAliveQuote:Original post by OluseyiQuote:Original post by Roots
The other freedom is in the ability to tweak the system the way you want it, which I already explained.
While Linux is considerably more configurable than Windows, the overwhelming majority of Linux users are unaware of the actual level of configurability of Windows, which they underestimate. Further, OS X is almost as configurable as Linux, but provides many of Windows' benefits as well.
I'm often surprised how tweakable windows is. Yet, this is exactly the problem, it's not so discoverable. Most useful tweaks are done in the registry or by some third party app that does that for you.
Er, Linux is formed almost entirely of third-party applications, many of which are flagrantly unfriendly and precious few of which are even remotely consistent with each other. "Discoverable" isn't a term I'd apply to something like BASH, as nobody types something like "ls -?" by accident.
This is one of the core criticisms of Linux: it's not an end-user operating system, it's a kit of parts for building an operating system. Comparing Linux with Windows is akin to comparing a Caterham 7 kit car to a Ford Mondeo.
Granted, some people like putting their own kit together. It's a puzzle. It's a challenge. It can be fun, if you're inclined that way. But it also takes time, which is itself a valuable commodity -- yesterday was a special edition one-off, just like every other day; they're not releasing another 8th of October 2008, no matter how great the demand.
99.999% of end users do not care for such challenges and puzzles. They have their own, equally valid, hobbies. Linux's strengths therefore have no relevance to these people. Windows is the Ford of operating systems; it gets the job done, finding parts and mechanics who know how to fix it is trivial, it's fairly cheap to run and, while far from perfect, it's hard to argue with "Bundled 'free' with every PC!" (Even if that plastic panelling does tend to rattle a bit whenever you're doing over 60mph.)
(I see OS X as a Rolls-Royce. It's hard not to feel more than a little bit smug while driving one. Sure, it's not going to do 200mph around Silverstone, but -- by god! -- does it have class! And just look at all that shiny, hand-polished wood... the solid platinum gear stick...)