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Can't afford xp, should I try linux?
elvis:
--- Quote from: NightGod on August 07, 2006, 03:20:08 am ---others may prefer the freedom of not having to worry about where to find support and lack of accountability.
--- End quote ---
No software has accountability. This is the silliest argument EVER for choosing software.
Read the Microsoft licensing terms. Microsoft have no accountability for anything their software does EVER. Same goes for any software on the planet, free or non-free.
By all means, excercise your right to choice. I am 100% for anyone choosing a software package because THEY want it, and not because they were told to use it (by myself or anyone else). But in the same breath, please use reasonable criteria. "Accountability" is a term that does not apply to software in any circumstance ever. And if you don't believe me, I challenge you to show me a license clause that says otherwise. I've read quite a few, and still haven't found one.
--- Quote from: NightGod on August 07, 2006, 03:58:00 pm ---Honestly, I'm a "computer guy" and Linux still isn't worth my time. SO many other things I can be doing besides learning a new OS that has such a small market penetration and is generally used by enthusiasts, so the market for support isn't there, since those are exactly the kind of people who do all their own support.
--- End quote ---
You are grossly misinformed. Linux and GNU software has a massive market share in the server, embedded and internet device markets (larger than all Microsoft products combined). Don't assume that just because you deal primarily with desktops and low-end corporate setups that there is no other type of setup in the ludicrously large industry that is IT.
Again, by all means excercise your choice to use or not use a product. But please, do your research before regurgitating the above common misconceptions.
rackoon:
From the sounds of it Linux seems real flexable and tweakable. I know thare are lots of computer guys as members of this forum.
Why hasnt someone come up with a tweaked version of Linux just for MAME cabs. They could even sell it (for cheap) to pay for their time. :soapbox:
AtomSmasher:
--- Quote from: rackoon on August 13, 2006, 07:32:56 pm ---Why hasnt someone come up with a tweaked version of Linux just for MAME cabs. They could even sell it (for cheap) to pay for their time.
--- End quote ---
Someone already has: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56385.0
Linux is pretty cool, but its definately not for a novice. I tried linux a few years ago, but it doesn't support software I prefer or need to use (including most games) and the ones it does support I'd have to buy the linux versions in order to use them and I'm not going to spend that much money just to use linux. Windows is the way to go for me.
NightGod:
--- Quote from: elvis on August 13, 2006, 04:21:32 am ---"Accountability" is a term that does not apply to software in any circumstance ever. And if you don't believe me, I challenge you to show me a license clause that says otherwise. I've read quite a few, and still haven't found one.
You are grossly misinformed. Linux and GNU software has a massive market share in the server, embedded and internet device markets (larger than all Microsoft products combined). Don't assume that just because you deal primarily with desktops and low-end corporate setups that there is no other type of setup in the ludicrously large industry that is IT.
--- End quote ---
I mean accountability for the products you use on the system-while there are some hardware manufacturers who release drivers for Linux, the vast majority still do not. The same goes for software. Try buying a manufactured PC from most major companies and then calling up to ask for warranty support after you install Linux. When your downloaded free version of Linux install goes tits up, who do you call for support? There is accountability in things like manufacturer warranties-if nothing else, there is a contract for them to provide support for a set period of time.
Yes, because I was obviously talking about the entirety of the IT industry rather than the desktop world that the rest of this thread dealt with-I must have missed the multi-page offshoot where we went into statistics on imbeded controllers and their use in the MAME world. Next you'll be saying that we should investigate running our MAME cabs on AS/400 boxes and using Cisco switches to somehow facilitate swappable control panels. Maybe we could look up statistics to compare MAME usage to other forms of gaming software and manage to maginalize the entire board out of existance.
Or maybe we can stick to the scope that was being discussed in the thread.
But honestly, past experience has taught me that arguing with Linux devotees is as positive an experience as arguing with Mac devotees-all different OSes have their place, much of the time one or two of them will truly shine in one area or the other-the time still has not come where anyone will convince me that Linux's place is on the average user's desktop, however.
jwb:
--- Quote ---Try buying a manufactured PC from most major companies and then calling up to ask for warranty support after you install Linux. When your downloaded free version of Linux install goes tits up, who do you call for support? There is accountability in things like manufacturer warranties-if nothing else, there is a contract for them to provide support for a set period of time.
--- End quote ---
I'd like to give some praise to Gateway here. I bought a new Gateway computer from Office Depot, and installed Linux on it. Ran into a bit of trouble, and used their online support chat function to talk to them. I explained what I was doing, and they spent the next 30 minutes helping me out. They mentioned right up front that Linux wasn't "officially" supported, but then they proceeded to help me anyway. Now, it dual boots into WindowsXP and Linux just fine.
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