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8/10/2010

If it's Tuesday, it must be ...

... time to talk about some techie stuff.

Those of you who have read me for a while know that I do computers for a living. In fact, I've been making at least some of my income from computers since 1982, although I really got started with PC's in 1979. So I've been at this for a while.

Over the years I have seen software, hardware and operating systems come and go. When I think about where the Personal Computer was 31 years ago, and where it is now, I am amazed at the progress that has been made - in hardware, software, and operating systems. And their prices.

But.

I have never been a fan of the software mega monster known as Microsoft. And since 1994 I have evangelized the Linux operating system when and where the opportunity has presented itself.

But.

Linux, like everything else, has its failures and disappointments.

My real and ongoing disappointment with Linux has been the failure of the Linux community to develop a usable, intuitive, stable Desktop System that just ANYBODY could install and be immediately productive. ESPECIALLY since Apple has been able to port its operating environment over to BSD Unix (an older operating system from which Linux took some of its inspiration) and IT WORKS. The MacBook I'm composing this post on is PROOF of the efficacy of their system.

But. (last one, promise) Linux is sneaking up on you whether you're ready for it or not. And the distribution's name is Android. Soon, Android based phones are going to outsell Apple's iPhone. Because every phone network in the country is going to be able to sell an Android based phone and Apple's is only available on AT&T. Motorola, HTC and Samsung, among others, sell Android based phones. Only Apple makes and sells iPhone. And Android (Linux) phones WORK. Now, if we could just get the people working on the Linux Desktop to take their lessons from Google and their Android development team. Because their stuff works like an operating system SHOULD work. And you don't have to be a unix expert to run it. Which is the way it should be.

Maybe Google will port Android to the Desktop. Maybe. We should be so lucky.

Ndinombethe.

9 comments:

Big Mark 243 said...

I was going to shrug this off to the hour, but that would be false. It is Greek to me because it is Greek to me!!

Computing has never held any fascination for me, even though I had good friends as a child who were tech geeks.

Knowing the difference between the phones ability and what they are compatible with would not matter as much to me, unless it came with a substantial reduction in cost. I would not have a need (yet) to further complicate my life and have some Best Buy snot sneer at me!!

Myst_72 said...

Yes....umm...definitely....

I know there are arguments here about Apples and Mac's and not and what have you - I never know what they are on about, or who wins though :)
But I'm glad you get it all Lou :)

G
xx

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

I'm not well-versed in Linux/Unix systems but I've always threatened to convert if both Microsoft and Apple suck. Microsoft is already there and Apple's problem is that they're exclusionary.

Holly said...

And I can say I heard it here first. You're so smart!

Loraine said...

I have an Android based phone. It kind of drives me nuts because the keyboard is touch- screen and sometimes it takes a full minute to wake up, but other than that I love it.

Tara R. said...

Every time I see Linux I think Linus and Peanuts. I have no clue how any of this works and it hurts my brain to even try.

Joyce-Anne said...

My husband is a big fan of Linux, but I think you already knew that. He runs Linux on a few (yes, I said a few) of our home computers.

PattiKen said...

I got my first computer in 1985, an opportunity afforded me because I worked in software training and support(see there it is again, sort of). It was leading edge. In fact, it was a Leading Edge. So cool: 20MB hard drive, DOS operating system with a multicolor monitor screen (green print on a black screen).

How far we've come.

Gretchen said...

Um... blah blah blah Mac blah blah phone... blah blah...

So, basically, dont' buy an iphone?

I don't have one anyway. My phone makes and receives calls. That's it.

I only half-understood that whole thing, but I am tech-illiterate.