Ubuntu vs. Apple [WAS: Re: Novel and Microsoft]

[Darrin Chandler]

On Mon, Nov 13, 2006 at 10:16:52PM -0700, der.hans wrote:
> 
> Hmmm, I find that there are lots of intersections.
> 
> The local OS X group started off with several Free Software enthusiasts
> from PLUG. I know lots of sysadms who use a multitude of operating
> systems. Many of them are even Free Software enthusiasts.
> 
> To some extent they use OSen other than GNU/Linux or *BSD due to job
> requirements, but some also just prefer to use them for one reason or
> another.

One should always use the best tool for the job at hand. If you're not,
then you're not doing your job properly. Free software is increasingly
the best tool, but it's nowhere near 100% yet.

> I think promoting Free Software due to the freedoms is how Free Software
> will succeed. I also think the restrictiveness of proprietary software is
> how it will fail.

The philosophical ideals often turn out to have meaning in the real
world. The OpenBSD 3.9 theme was "Stop Blob!" and was scoffed at and
downplayed to a large degree by other open source projects/users. Then
came the Wifi driver exploits, and the nvidia driver exploits. Windows,
OSX, Linux, FreeBSD issued patches. OpenBSD didn't need to, due to
sticking to their guns. Freedom matters, and it matters in everyday life
on our laptops and desktops. From a practical stance, open is better.

> Trying to make it a duel about "we're better" or "we're spiffier" or
> "we're $whatever" or "they suck" is the wrong way to go. True or not, it
> just turns into a fight.
> 
> Does this mean I disagree with Shuttleworth's recent call to make
> GNU/Linux prettier? No, of course not.
> 
> In fact, he's hitting on what Free Software developers have been working
> on for years, continue making Free Software the best around and keep
> working on the areas that need help. Mark just pointed out that, in his
> opinion, the attractiveness of Free Software is something he thinks needs
> help.

He's right. Most free software is not as spiffy looking as commercial
software (Ubuntu included), and it seems to matter to people. Especially
to non-techy users who make up the vast majority.

-- 
Darrin Chandler            |  Phoenix BSD Users Group
dwchandler at stilyagin.com   |  http://bsd.phoenix.az.us/
http://www.stilyagin.com/  |