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twitter.com/dmdzine

I've seen a lot of comments here debating the legitimacy of Linux as an operating system as compared to Mac OS X and Windows. Neither of these systems is inherently a "better" system for the world, Linux is great for servers and high-end workstation computing, Windows is the platform for most business activities and gaming, and Mac is for media creation and home use.

That said, I use all three operating systems on a regular basis, and I really cannot justify not using a Mac as my main machine (I do a lot of media stuff though). Windows can really be a pain, even when you know what you are doing, but it is really the platform to use for games. And Linux... well, that's a different story.

A lot of people have mentioned that it's not the fault of Linux for having trouble with certain hardware, saying that it is the fault of device manufacturers for not providing Linux drivers. True as this may be in theory, this explanation does nothing to help the less computer-savvy part of the market that can't tell the difference between Google and the internet. They are simply going to want their computer to work. They are not going to find solace in blaming device manufacturers for their computer not working. They are not going to use a complicated string of terminal commands to enable their wireless card. They are not going to buy a machine based on how Linux compatible it is. And they sure as heck are going to be pissed off when they find that they can't run any of their applications without a crazy amount of hackery/magic/good luck. Linux is fine for those who know what they are doing, unfortunately, we are the small minority. Until either device manufacturers decide it is economically feasible to develop Linux drivers, or the Linux community makes it much easier to find the exact driver for your device and install it without a hassle, Linux will remain a tool for geeks only.

As much as I would like to see more people using Linux, there are just a few too many issues for most people to deal with right now.

Things have gone fairly smoothly, and I am really enjoying the many similarities in functionality between Linux and OS X, though I do miss some of the ease of use that Windows and Mac still have a bit of an edge on. But altogether, this seems much more stable, safer, and more powerful than the previous XP system.