Fanaticism As A Lifestyle
When I started using Linux back in the mid-1990s, Macintosh computers were crap. The machines were expensive, the OS was unstable and there weren’t much in the way of applications outside of some stuff for publishers and artists. Windows wasn’t much better but at least the hardware was cheaper and people were building applications like they were going out of style.
I chose Linux because for me, it was the best tool for the job at the time. And as a programmer it was exciting to be a part of this growing, viral movement called open source. And it was even more exciting to help out, whether it was actual coding or tracking down bugs or in the case of the more complex stuff, simply reporting bugs and feeding other developers more information. Sure, at times it was a struggle but the world needs people willing to dig in an help out. The problem with today’s world, no matter what the realm? Everyone wants to take the easy route.
Linux is the near-perfect operating system for me. Everything I need works. Yes, there have been hiccups, issues, and various other struggles. And if I hadn’t been using this particular laptop, Linux would be THE perfect operating system. But I like the portability of a laptop and it’s nice to be able to work on various projects no matter where you are, rather than working on business stuff on a business computer and personal stuff on a home computer. But since I was using a laptop for it’s portability not for it’s suspend/resume, the fact that ACPI-driven sleep modes didn’t work really didn’t matter; it was simply a ’nice to have’. So did I mind? No. Was I able to build a 10 employee business on top of Linux and then sell it? Yes. Was I able to build a handful of personal and side projects on top of Linux? Yes. Do I regret my choice of Linux? Not for a second.
And why would I switch to OSX now? Because some stuff works? I’m sure some of it does, but not everything, as I wrote last year. Every product, whether it’s a car, an aeroplane, a MP3 player or an operating system has it’s good side and it’s bad side. The grass is always greener somewhere else and in the case of Macintosh, that grass looks like every neighbourhood dog has done it’s business on it. No that’s okay, I’ll stick with what’s best for me, not what some Jehovah’s Witness like evangelist tells me I should switch to.
Now, ten years later after starting out with Linux, what’s changed? Well, Macintosh machines are still more expensive. The operating system is more stable, though that’s only because Apple built their OSX ontop of BSD. And although some people are quick to critisize open source software, Linux and BSD are basically fancy kernels with open source software built around them. In fact, Safari is built using KDE’s KHTML code. And the biggest change of all is that under Apple’s executives “great” leadership, Apple has seen it’s Macintosh market share eroded down to a handful of people who buy machines because they’re pretty looking and because Apple makes them. Instead of buying something that suits their needs, they buy something because the product name starts with a styled, italic letter ’i’.
But I won’t tell you to switch to a different OS. What you decide to use should be a personal choice and/or an informed decision based on various factors. And how presumptuous of me to know what you, the reader, might want? That said however, personally, I can’t wait to see all those suckers lay down their money for iCrap.
Mon, 24 Jul 2006 14:56 Posted in Technology
