teh Linux

Okay everyone, time for a rant on computing. I might piss off a few people with this one, but I think it has some truth to it.

It seems that JWZ, formerly a pretty big figure in the Open Source community, has switched to OS X as his OS of choice. I could care less about what this guy does; the reason I bring it up is reading it pointed me to a lot of disgruntled users, and reminded myself of why I still don't use Linux exclusively, and probably never will.

I have a partition on my harddrive with Debian Linux on it. I haven't actually used it since sometime in 2004. Why? Because neither X Window or KDE wants to work. All the commands and advice I've been given... none of it works. I'm sure there is some way to fix it, but I've already spent enough time trying to figure out this problem that I don't want to spend any more.

Yet this is just an example of a problem I've had with the OS. Its not the reason I haven't been using Linux outside using Putty to get into my school servers. I've had many chances to download a new distro and burn it to a couple of blanks. But I haven't. I will eventually, but I haven't yet. Why is that?

Its simple; Linux is an incredible OS when its working right, when its fully customized for your system. Its fast stable and secure. But its a pain in the ass to get it to that point, and too many things just don't work as simply and easily as they should.

Let's begin with someone green to Linux. He's pretty good working with Windows, and has a fast and well running XP system. But now he wants to try Linux out. He'll look for a place to download it and find tons of distros to choose from, each one being praised as being the best. This makes the decision rather hard, because he can't get a straight answer on which to use. He finally makes a choice; now he has to find a place that will actually let him download it. That can be harder than it seems.

So now our guy has maneuvered his way through installation; its time to rock the Linux world. Or is it? Seems his sound isn't working, and neither is his wireless card. Uh-oh, looks like his distro doesn't support his hardware. Now he has to hunt down drivers, or find some config files to play around with. He needs some help on this one, but asking questions just brings scorn and insults from a community of Linux zealots who want more users, but refuse to help anyone with less than a certain prowess with computing. Hours spent fixing the problem: many.

At this point our user has most of his hardware issues fixed, but maybe not all of them. Now its time to get some software. How doeas that work? Is it apt-get (and if it is, is it configured properly? It wasn't for me) Should he download some tarballs? Does it install with a simple typing of "make", or must he move files himself (and where does it go? is it usr, or lib, or var, or bin? It can be confusing for our user). Again he looks for help, and finds none save for the pages of typeprint in the man files that are all boring as sin. Hours spent: many many more.

This is my problem with Linux. There is no unified front. Its just tons of factions and groups that don't work together, don't seem to care about compatibility, and are content to live in the stone age with plain text and command lines, and then squabble at each other for no reason. For computer junkies, its not a big deal, but its not so great for the average user. Even guys like me, who love everything about the science of computing, have a hard time really mastering Linux, since few of the "gurus" out there seem to care about teaching anyone, or even giving a few points in the right direction. I call BS on anyone who tells me Linux is free, because it can cost a hell of a lot of time.

And I hate the stand some guys have, that if you can't figure out how to do it yourself, you shouldn't be allowed to use a computer (because, you know, just going out and buying Windows or OS X isn't allowed). Technology is meant to benefit society as a whole, not just a few intellectuals. And the analogy of using a computer is to driving a car is just a little bit off. To actually drive a car, all you really need to know is how to turn it on, how to read a few guages, and now how to steer the thing. Unless you have a disibility, few people struggle with these things. For a computer, the equivalent is knowing how to turn it on, find your applications and navigate them with some sort of proficiency. Having to go into the guts of the system and change configuration settings, or install hardware, or tap into the BIOS is akin to opening the hood of a car and tinkering with it. Maybe we should expect Linux fans to do all their own repairs instead of taking their cars to a mechanic. No wait, that's silly. So why should anyone expect mom and pop PC user to have to do the same on their own system?

Lastly, I'd like to say that I do prefer Open Source Software. I use it a lot. But my reason for doing so is because I generally find OSS to work as well or better than commercial software. I like it because it usually makes me more productive, and I'd love to help with a current project once I learn a bit more coding. The ideaology behind it, however, the whole "we have to keep the code open so the big corporations can't control us" thing, isn't as important to me. Keeping source open seems to mean better software, and that's why I like it. But I won't use broken, poorly written software just because its "free as in speech". If I had two free downloads, one OSS and one not, and the non-open product worked better, I'd have no qualms using it.

If being able to scream "Now I'm sticking it to the man. Viva la Revolucion!" means I have to spend more time getting something to work rather than getting work done, I'll have to pass.

As soon as I can afford it (read: after graduation) I'm buying an iBook with OS X. As cute as Macs look, they're also stable, and just "work" better than the other guys.

End rant.