[plug] Fwd: Open source

[Christian]

On Thu, Mar 28, 2002 at 08:56:17AM +0800, skribe wrote:
 
> First of all I just want to say this is not a question digging at LINUX.
> I actually think LINUX is quite good. I would like to ask though; with
> LINUX being open source that means all different companies can get hold
> of the LINUX kernel and build around it. However with so many variations
> then, that kind of mish mash would end up confusing more people then
> attracting them.

Sure, makes sense.  Except it hasn't happened in reality.  It's great to
have a theory about how things are but there's no point sticking to it
when actual events contradict it.  There *are* different versions of the
Linux kernel but they're all compatible.  In 11 years there is still no
"mish mash".

> I guess what I am saying is, Microsoft's success was gained not from any
> great O/S (we all know that) but rather the uniformity and compatibility
> of it. If some of these companies would pool their resources (Red Hat
> etc), they might come up with an excellent O/S that would topple or at
> least shake up old Mr Gates. I for one would convert.

This guy is just lazy.  He's happy with mediocrity and doesn't want to
know anything that might give him reason to change.  In first paragraph
he indicates that "Linux is quite good" and how he indicates that
Microsoft hasn't made a particularly good OS.  So why doesn't he change?
This is a classic case of someone who fancies that they know how it all
works.  They have their little theories: Linux is good but there's too
much incompatibility while Windows is very average ("we all know that")
but its uniform and compatible.  Of course this is complete nonsense
since Linux isn't incompatible and Windows isn't uniform.  But it's a
happy illusion because it allows him to avoid disturbing his rest by
having to change operating systems.  After all, if he couldn't come up
with a reason why Linux is inferior then he would have no excuse but to
change.  Just laziness.

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