5 Anti-Linux Sites You Must Follow!
Wait…what?
Ever since I read Jeremy Allison’s blog post about why we need to hear criticisms from people who dislikes Linux, I have been thinking a lot about what he said and how it hits very close to my own philosophy about life: In order to improve, you need to be open to criticisms; even from your enemies. One of the (many) things that most people dislike about Microsoft is that they don’t have any real communication between the developers and the users; so when you discover a bug or have opinions about a feature that can be improved or added, there is no real easy way to directly (or indirectly) communicate with a developer. However, recently they have showed some improvement by opening up blogs for IE8 beta and Windows 7, where product developers actively communicate with users. So why should we turn a blind eye towards Linux critics?
Here are some of the popular sites who are active critics of linux:
1) Why Linux Sucks: They are not really anti-linux, they just hate linux. :)
Quoting:
“This site’s purpose is to bring to light a lot of issues that Linux users run into that they shouldn’t run into: Issues that occur for both experienced and new Linux users. It also focuses somewhat on issues that severely need attention in order for the Linux Desktop (GNOME, KDE, etc) to become as much as it can be.
We are not against Linux - quite the contrary! - but we are over the misinformation, lies and downright idiocy that surrounds and impedes the progress of a lot of Linux’s Desktops, Applications and Subsystems.”
2) Linux Hater’s Blog: The subject of Allison’s blog post. This is a very active blog, with comments ranging from several hundred per post; most of the comments are back and forth arguments about who is right and who is wrong. The comments are rightfully named as “flames”. Most interesting of all, he has a shop selling anti-linux shirts and coffee cup. :)
Click for larger View
3) Promoting Linux: This is probably a parody site. But if you want some good laugh, this is the site for you :). Some quotes from the site:
“I tried Linux and it burned me. Badly. Now I use Windows because “it just works.”
“The freedom to write our own device drivers and recompile the kernel is no freedom at all.”
“WE kNoW WhO YOU aRe. WE ArE GoInG To kILL yOU!” — Linux Kernel Team
4) LinSux: A Forum devoted to linux suckiness. :). 92 members so far…
5) Jerry Lee Cooper: Ok this hasn’t been updated for while, but this blog, titled: “Gems from the net guru”, is full of posts on how linux sux and windows rocks. For total awesomeness (and good laughs), skip the first couple of posts and read the rests.
Ok this is all I could come up with. With all the windows hating sites out there, linux haters have a lot of catching up to do…
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)
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yeah, yeah, but we don’t need their judments and critics which can’t be usefull because biased; let them die and loose themselves in their own lies and shit (and don’t publicisise it!) Cheers, Reine.
Well, maybe Linux could improve with some tough love?
I HATED linuxhaters.blogspot.com , but now im starting to see the point in it, he doesnt really hate Linux, just the Linux zealots..
Reine, it’s that sort of stance–as well as attitude–that is going to harm the expansion of Linux as a “serious OS”. Naturally, it has a decent following all on its own, but if you want more people to see the light, Linux users cannot come across like that.
Windows may have a poor past track record of customer support to the user, but who is customer support for most Linux problems? Other users. If the support base is so hostile towards the idea of fixes and improvements, not only will Linux not progress in ways appealing to those on other OSes, it will continue to frighten people away from simply attempting Linux. In most other cases it shouldn’t matter how other users behave concerning their OS and their competition, but in Linux, it is so incredibly important.
Switching to Linux and knowing nothing more about it is like saying “I’m moving to Europe”. That’s a lot of variety under one designation, that in itself is daunting enough to someone used to only one flavor of Windows. Fortunately with the progression of Ubuntu, people seem more willing to dip their toes in the water before taking a swim, but not everyone testing Linux vehemently hates Windows despite their desire to try a new OS–I certainly don’t, and I still have a Windows machine that has its place. Those people still on Windows can understand criticisms of it, and likely have some themselves. What is going to be a big put-off is the holier-than-thou attitude that’s so popular to adopt in this day and age. To a new user, Linux can be frustrating, and when things don’t go right they’re going to go back to the OS that works as they know it should when whatever Linux they try won’t address the big criticisms the new users develop, because they can’t get a critical word in edgewise.
Linux is great, and it’s fun to use, and don’t get me wrong–there is a lot of friendly help for those who need it and are willing to let go of OS concepts they’re so comfortable with. But if people are going to plug their ears and call all criticisms ‘lies’ when those same criticisms could be the key to open up the concept of Linux to a wider array of people, Linux is doomed to continue its trend as a minority on average user desktop PCs. All it would take is for some of the more vocal Linux ‘rocks’ and ‘hard places’ to develop an open ear and some humility. Who knows, there might be some gold in those critics’ words if taken to heart.
As a personal, user friendly operating system, Windows wins out.
As a server, linux is a better and more economical solution.
It’s comments like this: “As a personal, user friendly operating system, Windows wins out.” that just make me laugh at the misinformation that’s out there. Anyone who thinks TODAY’S Linux, especially distros like Ubuntu, are not user friendly…well, it’s VERY unlikely they’ve even tried them. I’ve converted hardcore M$ people to Linux just like that once they tried Ubuntu. Up and running a full-featured, TOTALLY customizable OS in less than 20 minutes, and with full access to thousands of programs instantly. They’ve kissed the miserable world of windoze goodbye and never looked back–and they did it by themselves, without me stepping in to help. When I used to have the misfortune of administering windoze boxes at my last job, NO ONE thought they were user friendly. No indeed! But there sure was a lot of swearing at the constant freezes, reboots, crashes, NON-intuitive “features,” etc., to say nothing of multiple hours per user per month lost to the incessant freezes, reboots, crashes, etc. Ubuntu, by comparison, is OH SO EASY to install, configure, customize, and use…and all without any rebooting! Yep, Ubuntu is about as user friendly as you can get, and anyone who disagrees probably hasn’t even tried it!
In regards to #3, some idiot actually thought it was real: http://vadi-blog.com/2008/07/15/the-troll-cave/
No, the misinformation comes when Linux Users talk about how great and easy it is to use Linux. So you go to install it on your system, and spend 3 weeks trying to find drivers that will work with your hardware, or do without.
The problem with Linux is that Linux Developers, and users, can’t take the criticism and use it to improve the O.S. There’s a reason why OSX and Windows have the majority of the OS marketshare, and it’s not the DRM that’s strewn throughout both OSs. It’s the ease of use.
I haven’t read much the others, but linux hater’s blog is… not very good. It had great promise, but it’s turned into petty troll food.
If he continued to argue with a good perspective it would be great. But instead we get (let’s see… today it’s:) equating preinstalled packages with the whole Microsoft antitrust case. Who falls for that? (I think MS should be allowed to integrate IE, and even I don’t fall for it.)
Why Linux Sucks is a much better idea. While it’s still full of a lot of garbage, it’s coming from regular posters, and a lot of them can be well conceived. The important aspect is that the context makes it clear that you’re reading some random post on a forum.
So, the famous JerryLeeCooper (of ZDNet Talkback fame) has a blog. Sounds like I could get a good laugh, just like with ShelleyTheRepublican and other such sites. Nothing to take seriously anyway.
quote:As a personal, user friendly operating system, Windows wins out.
That’s actually quite interesting, because I use both Windows and Linux in equal amounts, I program in .NET (which necessitates Windows), and my experience is that Linux is a much easier to use desktop system. Where Linux tends to fall down is when there is poor hardware support for it, a problem that is relatively easily overcome with a little homework. Of course that homework should not be necessary, but there you have it.
I use Mandriva Linux (currently 2008.1), and also install Linux for new Linux users (usually Mandriva), and I’ve only had problems installing it on a a very small amount of hardware, usually when there is a problem it is badly written BIOS, or cheap video cameras, or other hardware where the manufacturer has elected, or maybe neglected, to include Linux in it’s support.
None of the people I set up Linux powered Machine for have any particular issues with Linux itself. Most of the issues they have are cross platform - they’d have the problem on Windows or Mac as well. A lot of the reason for their lack of issues is probably due to Mandriva which is a particularly easy to use Linux Distribution, as it has included a good set of tools not found in any other Linux distribution, that are designed to give the new user GUI tools for almost everything.
Random thoughts… I use Windows because I have to. Tried building a linux box with virtualized windows to run video editing apps, but didn’t perform up to par, even with a 2.66 core 2 quad and 4 gigs of RAM. I may end up dual booting even though I hoped I was past that.
If Adobe just sold their suite in an Ubuntu variant, I’d jump in a minute. Or if Linux had a stable, productive video suite that wasn’t cost prohibitive, I’d jump there as well. On Windows I use Premiere, or Final Cut on the Mac.
I just want a stable OS that isn’t tied to prohibitively expensive hardware. I’m happy with Hardy. I just wish I could do my work on it, or through virtualization on top of Hardy. Sadly, this is not the case. I honestly thought that it was time and I could get things to perform up to par. It doesn’t. And as I continued researching, I learned that video display performance is where virtualization falls flat.
So I invested in hardware, installed software, and still have an unusable platform. Dual boot is not the answer, but it appears to be the only one that actually works. I wish it were not so.
ron
Ron: Try Wubi (http://wubi-installer.org/)
No partition.
Full control over Hardware (unlike virtual).
Use it like any window application (add/remove).
Restart your computer to login to your Os of choice.
Very very very easy. You can’t go wrong with this.
Good luck!
“One of the (many) things that most people dislike about Microsoft is that they don’t have any real communication between the developers and the users; so when you discover a bug or have opinions about a feature that can be improved or added, there is no real easy way to directly (or indirectly) communicate with a developer.”
You do realize that Microsoft hosts hundreds, if not thousands, of technet blogs relating to more or less any Microsoft product in existance, do you not? Blogs where developers write articles, blogs where you can comment, and generally get in contact with the relevant teams.
The Technet forums also has sections related to any major Microsoft product, where if not the developers read, then at least the middlemen between the developers and you read.
Microsoft is a very flat company, structure wise. Getting in contact with the correct team is only as difficult as you make it.
People will like. People will hate. Glad to hear macroshaft is opening up blogs for user feedback on the new version of windows coming to be and ie8. Makes me curious if that’s all it’ll take or if the opensource part of ms will also make the next version of windows not crap.
Anyway, people will probably hate linux as a desktop platform for a long time. But, while i like linux on my desktop, the one thing i really like about linux is a whole bunch of programs going cross platform. I know windows users appreciate linux programs going cross platform. Pidgin is popular, openoffice.org, firefox (a long with a ton of other ported gtk apps)…windows users love this stuff. It’ll get even better when a whole slew of programs from the kde4 suite finishes getting ported to windows and osx also. I know windows users out there would love k3b instead of buying nero or doing the standard crack the trial version (bad bad bad). And many windows and osx users out there who have ipods and hate itunes would love amarok for putting music on their players (instead of what some do…install linux just for amarok).
People may hate the linux platform for desktop, but they do love the apps…and even games (openarena for osx, win, and lin people love). The more ported apps the better.
I applaud the efforts of these sites. Too many people gloss over Linux’s inadequacies (which although decreasing, are still numerous) simply because they like the ideas behind it. I’ve been using Linux for 13 years now and I do like it, however it is undeniable that there is a lot of work to go before it acheives its potential. We will never improve enough, if we dismiss valid criticisms of ‘the Linux experience’ as the whinings of n00bs.
Only last week I was burned by a bug while upgrading Ubuntu; this was not the first time that upgrading Ubuntu has broken my system. People *need* to know this and realise it is not acceptable. Again, I say this while still believing that Ubuntu is better for me than anything else.
Yes, there are usability issues and ‘bugs’ in the community. Pidgin autoresizing text box, anyone? (http://developer.pidgin.im/ticket/4986). Modularity is great, and choice is great; I don’t have a problem with having multiple web browsers, editors, music players, desktop environments, etc. But the integration still needs work. Why can’t I use kpdf as a plugin to firefox? Why can’t I drag an image from firefox onto my desktop?
What is our goal? Why should we hide information in order to move people to Linux now, when we could improve Linux to the point where the complaints become obsolete.
I have a lot of problems right out of the gate with brand new Ubuntu (”the most user friendly linux”) install on brand new Dell Latitude D630. Video Issues, Wireless issues, just to name the few. It blows having to fix them, and I say this as a geek. There is no way a regular person would be able to deal with it.
Linux is not ready for prime time, outside of very niche base.
This is in response to #7 comments. I think your slightly missing the point he’s making. There is more that goes into user friendliness than just being able to use a GUI and ease of installation. Yes you can get a desktop up and running in 20 mins, and yes most people have no problem with the gui. But what happens if you want to add a new piece of hardware to your system? I’m pretty confident that if I go to Best Buy 99.99% of the hardware I can purchase will work with a windows box, the same can not be said about linux. Now I understand this has a lot to do with shotty hardware and driver support by the manufacturer but it still factors into the argument of usability. Also I dare you to get a fully functional laptop working in 20 mins with linux (i’m excluding the laptops that come with linux preinstalled). I think laptops are the true test of an operating system. Laptops have so many extras that require a wide range of drivers (wireless, video, video out such has s-video hdmi etc, finger print readers, sound cards, POWER MANAGEMENT) . I believe software is also should factor into the argument as well to a degree (ease of use, ease of installation, and can the same work be completed on a linux box that was being done a windows box, whatever that work may be). Now like i said, I don’t argue with your statement about initial usability. But I think the true test comes when a user deviates from the standard course and approach. Can this be as easy as plugging in a video camera, extra monitor, hard drive, printer, etc and have it work or will the rest of your day be spent getting those devices working (if possible). BTW I am a Solaris admin of about 850 boxes and use unix almost exclusively, but I’m also realistic to the ability of “normal” computer users.
Each of those sites appears to be running a non-windows web server, albeit perhpas only one is actually running Linux (Centos), according to the HTTP headers… Now a true linux zealot would not even touch Windows, or anything close to it… obviously these guys are lacking conviction… Sam I. Am
I’d just like to make the point that although I run both Windows and Linux (debian, ubuntu, Suse, Fedora, gentoo et al). I think what most linux zealots fail to realise is that windows is still perfect for a large cross section of the population. Most of the limitations that the tech community hate just aren’t reached by your average joe soap. This leaves us with just the monetary issue, which I hate to point out is a non issue for most people outside of the tech community.
My father is a translator and is quite happy to pay for windows and office. Nero essentials is all he needs for cd/dvd burning and that came with the writer. So why would he really look at linux? For customizability that he doesn’t really want or need? For open source that he can’t understand? Please rationalize why he needs linux over windows?
Well, I will rather spend my time in Linux forums (e.g. ubuntuforums.org) where I can help other users. Most of the so called criticism just is not based on anything but prejudices.
BTW, I have a difficult time now trying to configure XP to connect to Internet. Maybe I\’ll just give it up…
I agree that some of these sites could be helpful.
But why JerryLeeCooper.com? What makes “You are kidding arent you ?Are you saying that this linux can run on a computer without windows underneath it, at all ?” worth the reading?
You guys missed this one.
Linux, Windows, MacOS? Who cares. Just give me something that works!
Is it Anti-linux or informative?
jerry lee cooper has a blog? wow. that’s something. gotta be fun.
Complex set of things going on in my head.
I use Ubuntu, so does my computer illiterate wife, because she has less ability to make a mess of it. I use both XP and Ubuntu daily, and for ease of use and customisability (and hardware compatibility) Ubuntu wins hands down on both premade and home-built systems. I watched my brother re-install XP on his acer laptop after a virus struck and I was amazed at the fact that he had to be over my place (with working computers and internet) to download a dozen drivers, just to return his system to working status (and spend the hours doing it). So yes, a lot of criticism is warranted, but a lot isn’t - at the very least, the sensible ones among us realise that the key is continued improvement and open-ness (hence the use of the term open source).
Having said that, Linux developers need some criticism, along with the fanbois, because they seem to sometimes think they are above reproach or criticism.
But in offering that forum, we end up with umpteen million Windows fanbois troll comments that are neither useful nor well informed (as rule). Just go away, trolls, you are a waste of Tb of space worldwide.
And finally, I don’t develop (just use) linux, so I’d rather spend most my time giving newb answers to newb questions on helpful forums.
Complex world we live in.
@19, ripratim dares us to “get a fully functional laptop working in 20 mins with linux”. Well that’s exactly what I did 2 weeks ago with Linux Mint 5 on my HP dv4000 laptop. Effortless! And it includes everything I need, unlike Windows, which takes hours of installing extra apps.
ungzip?!! what is this? :D
(a word on the Tshirt)
This article is about sites that are anti-linux, and instead of discussing the topic the pro windows people come in here to do nothing more than bash linux because they have an opportunity to do so because linux is in the title of the article. Maybe the article was being discussed near the beginning. But, it’s confusing to tell anymore, which says that it isn’t being discussed anymore.
I suppose I am still getting over pretending there is no code under all the skins of all the operating systems out there.
To the untrained eye, it all looks the same kind of math mess.
I have just ordered my Hardy version, with hind sight of those early days of DOS writing batch files, multiple times because I didn’t remember to thumb the control key while Asterixing & shifting while in the middle of a pirouette.
I feel some people need to get closer to their computer and say, “Why don”t we understand each other, I am sorry I am an idiot, and chose not to further my education studies so I could have a general understanding of our future relationship with each other, that my soul is shallow, which is telltale by the frustration yells emanating across a room for all to hear, how dumb I am and now everyone knows as well as me.”
Realities are more defined. Linux is free and easy to set up.
Windows costs and come with social tiers. Cheap home edition for the poor. Cheap home premium edition for the middle class and barda boom profession edition for the I have loads of dough class.
Certainly the confused will always be confused, so buy a Mac
No brain necessary.
Okay, I believe that learning from our enemies is a very good idea for developing a better Linux.
But, I also believe that this idea will be fruitful only under one condition.
That is, IF and ONLY IF, the enemies do have criticisms that make sense.
I’ve took a quick look at those five anti-Linux websites, and honestly I believe
that absolutely none of these people make sense at all.
Why is that? Will, when I was looking them, the only one that seemed like it
has something serious to say was “Why Linux Sucks”. I didn’t really check
any of the problems they posted. But still, I think that if we take a good look
the issues they have, and try to come out with effective solutions for them,
that this might just be a good way to improve Linux. But, I’m still sure that
we’re also gonna find a big bunch of these problems that are either outdated, and were solved a long time ago, or only exist in the mind of the guy who posted
them, simply because he doesn’t know how to get a certain thing done with Linux.
Now, the other four sites looked almost exactly the same to me, pointless,
illiterate, and a waste of time.
For example, the guys at promotinglinux.com was talking about how his copy of windows was stolen, and how he had no choice at all but to get involved in Ubuntu, and how he found that Ubuntu is “impossible” to install… etc. so at
the end he found himself making this stupid website and filling it with all this bull
crap about how unfriendly Linux is and… etc.
Well, first of all, this is one of the best things about Ubuntu, if your CD is stolen,
it’s not the end of the world, ‘coz you didn’t lose nearly a 100 bucks when it’s
stolen, ya know. And getting a new copy of Ubuntu won’t cost you anything.
That’s first, second, I also believe, as so does a lot of people, one of them is
Richard Stallman himself, is the term “open source” alone is not a very good idea.
But, when it’s combined with the term “free software”, which gives us
the term “Free and Open Source Software” is much more powerful and makes
more sense.
“Free” here is not as in “Free beer” as much as it is in “Freedom of speech”.
jerry lee coopers blog is wordpress which is likely running on linux? which is pretty funny with the way he seems to choke on his own spittle when he uses the word linux.
eso no vale nada pena… windows roba unos Mac X que es verdad, eso software privativos quiere decir DISCRIMIEMTO a mundo TERCERO asi si, no sabes nada que esto “anti-linux” que lastima!!!! no sabes que unos expertos de universidad y desarrollo de C++/C#, asi si software libre es modificar, copia libre, etc.. pero no es de precio, quiere decir gente donativos asi si
por cierto, yo quiero ver YA ACABA solucion antisida para tecnologia de informatica dime dime dime, vete a investigacion, NO FALTA LLAMA “anti-linux”
en fin…
It’s always the same old crap. People support Windows because they’re familiar with it and it’s got a monopoly over the OS market, so it’s no wonder it easily works with everything. Linux still operates smoother and better, though it is a pain to set up, that’s just how it is. It’s a choice, I don’t go around preaching “Linux>Windows” since I use both, but if I had to put my money on which would last longer, Linux would obviously be the choice. Windows is just fail, I mean com on, 300 dollars+ for shitty Vista vs 50 dollars for fully-featured SUSE? Give me a break.
While I’m using Linux, I don’t see why it’s important to convince anyone else to use it. People talk of the “market share” of Linux - but there *is* no real market share, since Linux is free as in beer. You can pay for distros, but you’re paying for the distro, not for Linux itself. Anyway, from everything I’ve seen, Linux comprises less than 1% of workstation use (server use is apparently more than 50%, though).
Linux rocks. But if you don’t like it, use Windows or OS/2 for all I care. Just don’t come looking for me to fix your computer if it doesn’t work right.
This isn’t a case of “don’t hate the players, hate the game”, in fact - it is exactly the opposite! I get the impression that Linux peeps would be totally bored if Windows didn’t exist, cos they wouldn’t have anything to smear or make their so-called improvements on.
Microsoft has come up with some pretty good ideas.. which Linux and other open source products have improved upon… but hey - it was still the idea behind it, the need to find a solution, not simply decide this is bullcrap we can do it better! Cos it has worked vice versa where some crackpot thought up something imba and microsoft moved in with a version of their own - but they don’t go have a hoo haa about it being better than open source, they simply offer a solution. It’s about time microsoft and it’s supporters started slamming back on open source.
When it comes to security, I always get this harp from the open source dudes about how vulnerable Windows is blah blah- thats cos half the open source world writes and distributes the malware to mess with it in the 1st place. Imagine if Microsoft developed ways of taking out open source software!
Yup yup, hate players, the game is fine! Imo..
Some open source products have been awesome, but just not so out-of-this-world-omfg-amazing that microsoft needs to get effed in the A for it. So yeah, 1st and last rant.
I’ll pay for big brother and know that he is there for me rather than be a cheapskate who stands along with all the other whiners!
Peace
006+1
I have just installed ubuntu in my computer. I’m gonna miss windoze for sure .. :)
On the whole, and I’m talking totally neutrally here, that the bickering between Linux and Windows users is getting a little old.
I’ll happily admit that Windows has its flaws, and so does Linux, and I’ve used both operating systems and I have a good understanding of them. However, I have to prefer using Linux over Windows anyway.
But being “anti-Linux” is a bit too much, and so is being “anti-Windows.” I mean, it’s okay to persist in saying that that one OS is superior to the other, but dedicating a whole website to making this conversation louder than it needs to be is really embarrassing.
Some of the stuff on these sites is down right hilarious. Good for a read, especially if you’re a linux user. Thanks for the links.