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Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
10/16/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
When was the last time a new Windows virus was created? Probably right about now...and now...and now...
09/09/09
09/09/09
(guy in suit): Hi. I'm a PC.
(smelly wino): Hi. I'm Linux....where's your kids?
(PC): I surf the net and keep kids safe!
(Linux) : I lost my crack pipe...anyone seen my crack pipe?
(PC): Software is easy to use with me!
(Linux): Hey lady! Gimme dollar for a sammich?
I can't wait!!!
09/09/09
A random guy comes in and says that he heard about linux and wants to know more...
Will it work with his iPod/iPhone? No.
Will it work with photoshop? No.
Does it have a decent video editor? No.
Does it have a stable x64 which doesnt hiccup on the desktop? No. (claim it all you want, but it still isnt stable in a GUI)
Do his main stream games play? Some do some dont, but require extra software.
When he buys a printer or camera will the linux driver come on a cd w/ the windows driver? unlikely...
Is it safe? Somewhat, unless he reads online somewhere a way to boot into a Root User since he doesnt know proper security protocol.
Is it usable as a desktop? Yes.
Is it free? Yes (but so is windows when it comes bundles.. well bundled with the cost).
For the average user the cons far outweigh the pros. As for dualbooting, it is pointless for most as they will just boot into Windows anyways and save linux when they want to explore something exciting and different.
Most people I met tried linux, found it cool and raved about it to their friends and said it was the best thing on earth for about 6 months to a year and then just went "eh" and reverted back to windows. I personally have been using Linux since 2002 and love it for development. But unless major software vendors cater to Linux, it is pretty much useless except for fun for 95% of the people who walk into a store to buy a new computer.
09/09/09
If you arent paid by Microsoft for all that propaganda, gotta head there right about now, you're missing a paycheck.
09/09/09
While Windows on the other hand handles 32bit software transparently. so go take your crap elsewhere unless you actually want to read my post and comment then.
09/09/09
I mean, yeah, most of the information is skewed to MSFT, as opposed to an outright lie. But frankly, the idea that Microsoft feels a need to offer the course at all seems to imply they feel it's something worth addressing. Or do they have a Windows vs. FreeBSD course I don't know about?
Amusing, at the least.
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
It is a partial truth, because unlike Windows, when a *nix box is compromised it takes days to wade through the mess to ensure that nothing else was exploited, tempered with, or replaced.
It is a very long and arduous process or you do what everyone else does. Find the cause, restore the box from a backup before the exploit, patch the exploit(s), and then put it back online (or plug it back into the net, whatever). Oh, but wait... We are talking about an end user aren’t we? Yea, they have to format and reload it...
09/09/09
As with OSX, sure you are less likely to pick up a baddie if you click on something you shouldn’t, but you are not immune and I would even argue that you are more susceptible to it on Linux as compared to OSX simply due to the install base. Most large data centers run Linux boxes for hosting and they make fantastic targets for the bot owners who regularly attack them.
"Safer" to me means that the user should know when something has gone wrong. Be it through AV/Trojan/Spy warnings, a screwed up desktop, or crashing. That is better than using your computer for months or even years never knowing that you are actually part of a botnet.
Security aside, the people who shop at Best Buy are better of with Windows. If they were to go with Linux they would on an island all by themselves and if they shop at Best Buy, the last thing they need is a computer that no one can help them with.
09/09/09
"The fact of the matter is that if you don’t know what you’re doing sooner or later you will become host to a trojan, zombie, or the like."
Absolutely untrue. I'm sorry, but how many people's Linux desktops or netbooks are zombie bots compared to people running XP or Vista without service packs 1-3?
Most people have dynamic IP addresses behind a router with a hardware firewall.
Sorry pal, I ain't buying it.
09/09/09
Wake up, this isn't the 90's. Linux has been a major target since LAMP took off ages ago.
09/09/09
Congratulations on blowing this out of proportion Gizmodo, just like Engadget did yesterday.
09/09/09
09/09/09
You definitely did a much better job than Engadget's article which made it sound like Best Buy was forcing their employees to take this training and therefore brainwashing them.
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
She had an old Gateway with a busted AC port and was talking about going to Geek Squad to get it fixed. She asked me about Linux because of its cost (free) and immunity to viruses without the need for AV programs. Having a spare 12" laptop with Ubuntu 9.04 laying around, she was a convert (I put Linux Mint on it)
I'm not a fan of FUD - not when Apple does it and not when Microsoft does it. I've switched two people to Linux because they are NOT savvy enough to not download suspicious crap.
For the user who has very limited needs (web, email, word processing), a very limited budget or older hardware, or does not have good computing practices, Linux IS better than Windows.
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
When you have hundreds of thousands of Linux boxes sitting on gig-e links like they are candy it does make them (and Linux in general) an appealing target.
09/09/09
[en.wikipedia.org]
EDIT: I just realized you said "she" asked about that. Still... it shouldn't have been repeated as if it was true.
09/09/09
They kept coming to me because their PC was filled with adware and viruses, and even though I installed everything possible to prevent this, they somehow managed to mess it all up just a couple of months later.
Since I installed and configured opensuse for them I haven't had to fix their PCs a single time (it's been more than a year now).
Of course, letting a computer iliterate try and install linux would be stupid. There's just too much stuff to configure after the initial install.
09/09/09
And yes, my kid sister Rachel did ask for Linux. She is a 21 year-old SCA geek whose summer project was building a 1:1 scale Companion Cube (not yet finished).
Sorry boys - she's taken.
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/10/09
09/09/09
No one wants to have to spend countless hours trying to find drivers and software to get their devices and programs to work.
That and who goes to BB to get a linux pc?
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
Linux is a great OS, but like Windows and OSX, it's not without it's fauilts.
MSFT capitalized on them in this chart.
Then again they neglected to mention:
Windows 7 Ultimate: $299
Ubuntu Ultimate++: FREEDIZZLEDIZZLE
Regardless what platform you choose to use: Win7, OS X, Linux, it's a good time right now. All three have very solid products out there.
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
I started out as a WM fan (Window Maker not Window Manager), moved on to E and then to gnome (once they implemented their own WM), but moved back to Sawfish... Now, I never use a Linux desktop anymore as it was too annoying. I did it for years and years, but it just doesn't make that much sense when you spend most of your time in a terminal anyways.
09/11/09
The difference of course, is that you can hella slimline your Linux install *if* you have the desire and knowledge, from the basics (packagemanagement) to the hardcore (streamlined custom kernel).
To me, the best thing about Linux is that it's and OS that lets you turn your computer into any device imaginable (router, PVR, Arcade, web, pr0n, file server, etc).
Apple's OS is completely worthless for that, and Windows is just barely tolerable for somethings, and extremely horrible for others.
09/09/09
I work at Office Depot an i'm getting Window 7 for $10 also. :)
09/09/09
BTW, you guys suck, but Staples sucks harder, amirite? ;)
09/09/09
@whiteknight89 still plays DiabloII:
OfficeMax only takes OfficeMax coupons.
OfficeDepot takes OfficeMax and
OfficeDepot coupons, but doesn't allow OfficeDepot coupons on 'technology' items (i.e. more than half the store).
Staples takes OfficeMax, OfficeDepot & Staples coupons and allows you to use them on anything.
Plus Staples has EasyRebates, so you can a buy a gift and not have to rip the UPC code off for the rebate...just process online.
09/11/09
God, I'm sick of myself here... I am not just a BILLBOARD! ;)
09/09/09