life after Windows....

In message , Mxsmanic
writes
Chris H writes:

Then Windows is NOT proprietary by that measure.

Remember that the next time someone accuses Microsoft of monopolistic
practices.

Not quite the same thing.
Redhat does similar things to MS

And almost everyone knows at least two people who can do informal
windows support.

Also, yes. I sometimes do impromptu Windows support for people at work, since
I'm more competent than the so-called IT staff.

Exactly windows support is "everywhere" where as Linux support (or MAC
for that matter) is not in the same way.

Generally yes but it does have the main group of program people need (I
use MS Office on my PPC Macs. However in certain areas the MACS have
extremely good software support. In a few areas better than the PC

Which areas?

Graphics, photography, music etc. The arts in general I think

I've considered using a Mac many times, but the price always puts me off.

Now you can pick up some very good MAC deals. The Intel Macs are
comparatively not as expensive and the PPC MACs are a bargain as the
"serious" MAC users move from the PPc MACS to the Intel MACS

The design and Engineering in the PPC MACS is way above most PC's

Not
only that, but after being beholden to Microsoft for an operating system for
so many years, I'm not sure I wish to tighten the yoke further with a vendor
that controls both hardware and software.

Now that is a good point. It is the reason the MACS are "better" than
PC's complete control of all the HW and OS SW from start to finish.
This ensures it all works very reliably BUT it is a monopoly.


Linux is a mess. OK for Geeks but not for the average punter.
Agreed.

Now you are bringing reality into it... :-)
I prefer reality to emotion and religion.

Me too. But the minute you mention "Linux" you get the FOSS religion!

The Kernel is not the problem it is all the boat ware that is added on
top of most OS. That tends to be where the problems lie. There are only
a few OS kernel models (Refer to the Tananbaum/torviolds debate) and
they are well understood. It is what the whole OS does that is the
problem

Or the solution, depending on the merits of the overall design.

Quite so
--
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\/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/
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Chris H writes:

Exactly windows support is "everywhere" where as Linux support (or MAC
for that matter) is not in the same way.

Linux also requires vastly more support than Windows, unless the entire
population using it is made up of computer geeks (and even then, they spend
their time asking each other questions).

Graphics, photography, music etc. The arts in general I think

That has traditionally been the case, and still is. Inertia at work. The
options for Windows are better than they used to be, but for someone used to
the Mac, there is little reason to change. For someone just starting out, the
choice is more difficult: if the software available on Windows is good enough
for his purposes, he may be better off with Windows (as long as his ambitions
in the domains for which the Mac is best known do not expand). If he requires
specific applications or is very dedicated to the domains best handled by the
Mac, a Mac might be a better choice.

Linux isn't really a good choice for anything on the desktop.

Now you can pick up some very good MAC deals. The Intel Macs are
comparatively not as expensive and the PPC MACs are a bargain as the
"serious" MAC users move from the PPc MACS to the Intel MACS

I shouldn't have to buy something obsolete just to match the price point of a
brand-new Windows PC.

The design and Engineering in the PPC MACS is way above most PC's

It should be, given the prices.

Now that is a good point. It is the reason the MACS are "better" than
PC's complete control of all the HW and OS SW from start to finish.
This ensures it all works very reliably BUT it is a monopoly.

Yes. Apple's way or the highway. And I don't like Apple's attitude and don't
want to become a victim of it.

Me too. But the minute you mention "Linux" you get the FOSS religion!

That happens with Macs, too, and in fact with any minority computer or
operating system.

In article ,
Mxsmanic wrote:

Yes. Apple's way or the highway. And I don't like Apple's attitude and don't
want to become a victim of it.

Macs can use Windoze software. Windoze machines can't use Mac softwore.
Whose attitude is more exclusive here?

--
Mary Loomer Oliver (aka Erilar)

You can't reason with someone whose first line of argument is
that reason doesn't count. --Isaac Asimov

Erilar's Cave Annex: http://www.chibardun.net/~erilarlo

erilar writes:

Macs can use Windoze software. Windoze machines can't use Mac softwore.
Whose attitude is more exclusive here?

Macs are a niche product; they have to make provisions for some support of
mainstream products.

Most applications are for Windows, so Windows doesn't have to support Mac
applications.