Not happy with Linux 7
So at work I’ve been using Ubuntu on my desktop as my primary computer. I have primarily been a Windows user at work (because I have been forced to) and an OS X user at home because I prefer it. At first I kinda liked it, at least a little better than Windows. Then I began to hate it for the following reasons:
- It works just like Windows (and looks almost like Windows)
- Except when it doesn’t - then it sucks because it doesn’t work in a predictable manner
Here are some key problems I’ve had with Ubuntu:
- It can never quite remember my monitor settings properly - every time I remove a monitor or want to switch a display it loses everything or goes extremely flakey
- We play Unreal here afterhours and the audio just “disappears” - if I futz with the monitor settings then I lose Audio, hunh? Reboot required to get audio back
- No common UI - dialog boxes behave differently, things just feel “off” depending on which program I’m using
- Katapult is a poor replacement for LaunchBar or QuickSilver (which started crashing repeatedly on me on the last update so switched to LaunchBar)
- Installing an application takes command-line work - blech
The are a few good things, but not enough for me to love it:
- Wow, a real terminal - but I have this in OS X
- Updates are painless - again I already have this on OS X
- It’s stable - again I already have this on OS X
- That’s about it - otherwise, eh
This isn’t to say I don’t use Linux, I use it for my server, but I can’t see using it as a desktop replacement, not by a long shot. In order to win me over they have to really be thinking out of the box and not just duplicating what Windows or OS X has done - which they really haven’t yet (yes I know about things like Compiz Fusion - but that isn’t the whole user experience that’s just one small part - yes I said small).
So, I’m using a G4 machine right now to VNC into my work machine for specific apps I can’t install (or don’t want to) and will be upgrading the laptop to either a MacBook or MacBook Pro in the next few months. Then I’ll be really happy.
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All points are valid. I just like having the OS to myself and not closed off by either dictator.
Oh and another thing, I am done blaming Linux for user-experience. Most of the issues that anyone has are the drivers. If manufacturers for peripherals provided the drivers that they do for Windows and OS X, there is no doubt in my mind that Linux would end up a preferred OS for millions more people.
Ubuntu doesn't need command-line work to install programs. There's a GUI that is pretty cool. It's not as easy as "drag-n-drop your program into Applications," but if there's a program out there, you can get it.
About your Unreal issues...Linux is not a very good gaming platform. I don't want it to be either. That would suck.
This wasn't in response to your post, but it hits close-to-home. http://www.u.arizona.edu/~przybyls/2008/03/gnul-v.html
I'm going to go out on a limb here and compare OS X and Linux to the Guitar Hero guitar and a Gibson Stratocaster (don't want to get too extreme.) OS X is simple to use, nice and colorful, with good integration with peripherals and it's really just a toy. Then you've got your stratocaster. If you take someone used to the guitar hero guitar and give him a stratocaster, he's going to feel like it's too difficult to use, doesn't do enough for you, and all the ever comes out is noise.
What am I saying? Of course, you don't like Linux. It's because it's too much OS for you. It's a freaking hot rod and you since you can't even chew solid food yet, it's not likely for you to reach the pedals and see over the steering column even standing up.
For me, the user interface for Linux has made it so much easier for me to develop. Windows and OS X have been so sluggish for me. To work the same way I do on Linux, but on Windows or OS X, I need 3 guitar hero guitars at once. Do you know what it's like to play guitar hero with 3 guitars? It's clumsy, frustrating, and you're never going to get a high score that way. You have to conform to using a toy, or mod your stratocaster to work with a video game.
I just need the agility I get from Linux. Being able to move and resize my window without a titlebar or anchors?! Why doesn't anyone else do that!? Why is Linux the only one to handle window groups intuitively? Why do I need hide and minimize? Why is video/audio library support so difficult on Windows and OS X, but I install libraries on Linux and it just works?
Hope that wasn't too inflammatory for you, Warner.
I develop Java GUI application so I have contact with all 3 OS's every day. I use Ubuntu as primary development computer. (Funny enough I'm writing this text now on MacBook as my wife took my primary Linux/Win laptop to play a game, and I'm left with my testing computer.)
Yes there are some limitations for Linux, and it definitely is not a gaming platform. However for me Mac is a worse OS at a moment (yes after Vista). Even for most simple tasks like editing text file you need to use terminal and vi. Maybe it is user friendly for some old Darwin/FreeBSD users, but not for me. (I was searching long but could not find any editor which will create simple txt (ASCII) file for me - task which is straightforward on any Linux or Windows even you use this operating system first time in your life).
Not only simple everyday tasks like resizing application window to full screen are extremely difficult. Also hardware is made in a way to complicate life. For example I cannot connect external monitor to my MacBook because Apple decided to use some exotic plug (so I will pay them few extra £).
As I'm Java developer also situation with JVM on this platform is not acceptable. There is still not Java 6 and Apple refuse to give any date.
Mac is maybe the pretest of them all, but for sure not the most useful. It is OK for searching web, but not for any serious work.
It also looks like Mac is not safe even it is UNIX: http://osnews.com/story/19541/Apple-Is-Loser-in-Three-Way-Hacking-Contest
@Arek
Hmm, have to disagree with you there, I love my Mac and it is definitely my preferred development platform (especially for Java).
As for text editing I've always used the basic TextEdit that comes with Mac and has a simple ascii text output option (go to Format -> Make Plain Text). Recently I've been using TextMate which I absolutely love as an editor. So, that's always been straightforward for me as well.
As far as Java 6 goes there is currently a developer preview of it available (which you can get by going to Apple's developer site - free signup). Having this available means that it's coming soon, probably in less than a month. I agree that the delay with Java releases is annoying but I tend to wait for stuff to get fixed and libraries to be upgraded anyways so it doesn't hamper my development at all, the IDEs do that for me ;-).
As far as the Zero Day hack goes it doesn't really worry me, there have been worse exploits out there for Linux and Windows and I know that Apple will fix this just as quickly as the Linux platform does.
It's funny. I have been using a Unix at home and at work since 1996 and haven't run Windows since. I usually have the same complaints but about Windows and Mac.
I would just point out that if you are a Java developer, Steve Jobs doesn't understand why you torture yourself with a platform that is useless. You should take a look at moving to Objective-C because it will support your Mac better.
I get paid to write web applications in Java that run on Linux servers so I spend all my time on Linux. I know the "Linux Way" and for me it's any other OS that surprises and disappoints because all my expectations are with the Penguin.
@Warner You mentioned that there are worse exploits on Linux. I'm not sure what those might be. I'm finding that difficult to understand because outside of Aqua, Quartz, etc... OS X runs much of the same software (apache, cron, bash, openssh, etc...) which is where you would exploit Linux.
That's a good lead-in to another point. I think a lot of people have issues with the IU in Linux not being consistent. I blame the guys at trolltech (now Nokia.) j/k. I don't really blame anyone for it, but I do have to say I picked a side in the matter. I think that's important. It doesn't really matter which one. If you want a consistent UI, that's what you have to do.
I don't think OS X has any advantage here for this reason. If you want to run X apps, it does not fix the look-and-feel issues. The X apps are still gtk, qt, et al. It's just that most people find what they want in Aqua and don't use X. Honestly, that's what I do. My wife runs OS X, and I use her computer from time-to-time. I use X for the gimp, and that's pretty much it.
Things are pretty similar on Linux. I like my consistent look-and-feel, and I'm lucky that I haven't had to crossover at all to get all the apps I need.
The hardware is outstanding though. I can't wait to get my macbook pro and install Linux on it. ^_^
If Apple could make it easier on the customer and have it preinstalled, I'd give them more props.