Linux - how few know of it

[miriam_e]

When I meet people and discussion falls to computers, as it often does, I've often been surprised at how few people know of Linux. They generally think that putting up with Microsoft Windows is their only option. When told that Linux is a free operating system that can either replace, or co-exist with Microsoft Windows they tend to be either surprised or skeptical. This astounds me. How did Microsoft manage to so impoverish the computing world? Not only have they retarded computing technology by a decade or more, but they have blinded many people to even the possibility of advancement -- a very sad state of affairs.

Thank heavens it is slowly changing. Years ago Linux was something only computer geeks used. Now I know a broad range (but still a tiny minority) of people who have dropped Microsoft Windows, preferring the safety and lower cost of Linux... and in the case of Puppy Linux, the ease of use, speed, tiny size, and ability to revive old computers making them usable again. I think part of the change is coming simply from word of mouth, but also from live CDs, where people can try Linux before installing it on their machines.

On that last point, I've noticed an annoying number of computers recently that have their BIOS set up to prevent booting from a CD. It is easy to change, but most people don't even know what a BIOS is, let alone how to go into their SETUP to change the boot-device order. [sigh]

A ray of hope: lately Linux users seem to outnumber Apple Mac users on the net. (Thank heavens Apple didn't win the war for the desktop -- computer use would be even further retarded than with Microsoft. Apple are masters of propaganda.)

Comments

unKnown gnu O.S. on Linux kernel

[(Anonymous)]

try to write the same article about how many "Linux" users know they actualy are not using LinuxOS but GNU O.S...:-)

let put jokes side...

at our skillExchange linux workShop at hackLab mama I realized years ago that GNU/Linux advocacy is not a technology thing...
It s a area of psychology, sociology, culture & succecfull transFiguration of creativity inSide of close/semiClosed community...

unix & gnu/linux is not windows...nor it ever be one
it is not AmigaOS, MorphOS, Haiku (Open BeOS), MacOS, QNX, gnu/hurd nor Plan9...
It can by mimcry to emulate the concept & philosophy of those systems...

we as a community must comprehend that, only than we can expect something else from "ordinary" users...

First we should unPlug from Matrix...

power to the linux chix

drGspot

Re: unKnown gnu O.S. on Linux kernel

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

:) True. It is really Gnu/Linux, but that's more typing, and few people would know what I was talking about anyway. I know it annoys Richard Stallman and others, but that's how it goes. Language is created by the general population, no matter how much we would like to say otherwise. We still refer to the act of pushing the buttons on a phone as "dialling" even though most kids these days probably have not even seen an actual phone dial.

It will be interesting to see what the future brings. I just hope to hell it speeds up a little. It's changing far too slowly for my liking. Where are the intelligent machines? Where are the low power machines running on ambient energy? Where are the mesh networks to let anybody communicate with anybody for free? Where are the robots? Where is the ubiquitous VR? Where are the computers that require zero learning curve? Where are the replicators? Dammit, I want my future now!! :)

Corporations seem to become more and more technophobic as time goes on and at best indifferent to potential improvements, at worst the actively retard developments. Sony, a company founded by engineers, has become a corporation of thick-headed suits who do their best to subvert and delay progress. Microsoft are renown for their anti-future attitude. All the petroleum companies do their best to discourage progress into useful alternatives. I don't want a future of universal indentured serfdom -- I want utopia, and I want it now... or as soon as possible.