Donn wrote:
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 24, 2008 at 9:52 AM, Austin Godber <godber@uberhip.com
> <mailto:godber@uberhip.com>> wrote:
>
> Kevin Faulkner wrote:
> >> I beg to differ, OS X is very different from Windows. It sells
> for a fair
> >> price and it works.
> >>
> >
> > Well its kinda hard to place a price on OS X when it comes
> bundled with the
> > machine itself. I don't even know how much it sells for. I think
> Windows works
> >
> >
> OS X is $129
>
> http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB427Z/A?mco=MTIyNzA
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> Thank you Austin. That was part of my point. OS X has ONE Price and One
> version. It also has none of the typical Windows issues with Registry
> hell, reboot after sneezing hard, corruption of basic services by
> applications (at least typically), etc.
>
> As far as 'Free' or Open Source' vs. proprietary software is concerned,
> I try to take a realistic view. It is somewhat irritating to me to hear
> 'but that is proprietary software!' as if something smelled bad. I am
> not trying to be argumentative here, I just want to make a point. I
> agree on principal in the building block theory of Open Source software,
> that is that knowledge should be shared and move us all forward without
> wasting effort in constantly recreating code to do the same things. This
> is an admirable goal. I try to support open source software that I use
> and appreciate. I generally do not use free software, since it is
> generally, but not always worth what you paid for it.
>
> What I don't agree with is the Microsoft method of market domination by
> intimidation. I have a great deal of admiration for what Apple has done
> with their products in most cases. They are not beyond draconian methods
> either, but the shear elegance of some of their hardware and software is
> difficult to argue with. No one else in consumer electronics even comes
> close, except possibly Nintendo, and very rarely Sony (believe it or
> not). I have a 24" iMac and it is the best piece of hardware (and
> software with Leopard) I have ever owned. At their core, Microsoft seems
> to be about one thing, holding on to their 'lands and titles' like the
> Nobles of old. Apple seems to aspire to something better in every
> product they sell. They don't always hit the mark, but in my mind, the
> aspiration is the thing that deserves recognition and admiration.
>
I have to agree with Donn on this one. All of us have our own reasons
for our interest in Linux. Some don't like proprietary software. I don't
care so much about that issue - if it works and has a fair price, no
problem. Proprietary, secret data formats _do_ bug me. My other
motivations are:
- I strongly dislike monopolies, and MS is pretty close to being one
(but hopefully losing ground. :-) )
- I cut my proverbial teeth on Unix, and Linux incorporates those
features I've always appreciated in that venerable OS.
BTW, I finally decided on a Dell Latitude D830 - _almost_ top-end on all
the options, for $1600. (Yes, it has XP, which I can use in conjunction
with my job.) Nice thing about getting a popular model like that, I have
found detailed instructions for installing Ubuntu on it and I know about
all the gotchas before I encounter them.
I _really_ considered the Mac this time, but just couldn't justify
spending $600 more for the equivalent machine. Maybe next time.
Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions! I knew I could get a lot of
help from you guys!
Vaughn
> These are more words than I have ever written on this list, and I
> apologize for the diatribe. Please take no offense.
>
> --
> Donn
> There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
> -- Dave Barry
>
>
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