the less informed said
1) X gui is bloated 2) most of the world uses windoze 3) users want something that works 4) u cant make money on free software
Seems that the issues were mixed and arguments against linux were not in context.
1) X was designed with networking in mind. It is ideal for a thin client environment and will outperform the windows gui (which in fact cannot operate as a thin client) by miles not to mention issues of maintainence and upgradation. 2) HE HE. total number of non i386 processors sold is higher by several orders of magnitude. They run customised software which makes it possible for crap like windows to exist in the first place. (Power, railways, mining, communications, manufacturing, medical tecnology). 3) If u think that windows works ur idea of "works" needs corrective education (a stint at gulag microsoft might be in order). If u are an engineer please dont mention the two in the same breath. 4) Refer 2. One single contract in one of the above fields will provide you enough work to last a life time. If u so much as mention windows in these circiles u would be thrown out pronto (presuming you managed to worm ur way in in the first place).
But the above completely misses out on something very basic "what is good for u and ur business" U may be a business end user or a professional in the computer industry, the basics are the same. Lets talk only of a business providing software to another business. Basic principles are 1) reduce the cost of your input raw material (best if free) 2) deploy your manpower effeciently (debug your code instead of M$ code) 3) Focus 4) Reuse (possible in the above industries only if complete processor cross compatability exists)
So what would you do fatten microsoft and waste time finding uncorrectable bugs or use GNU/Linux With the advent of the latest Open office suite, the last hurdle has vanished (a very small number of issues remain with some complex M$ documents).
So IMHO stop thinking about windows. It is irrelevant in 99% of microprocessors.
rgds jtdsouza@softhome.net