Discussion
Zumbruk, I think ATG's comment on the last thread hit the nail on the head. 
Linux/*BSD/Mac OSX/other Unices are only safe from malware/worms/etc., because they are rarely used. <10% (?)
As soon as there would be a standard *nix environment, and the masses would be using it; it would be in a similar focus for malware as Windows desktops are today.
If it would be as easy to exploit as Windows desktops remains to bee seen.
More interesting is what the LINUX kernel stands for:
open-source software.
Stepping forward and claiming one of both, open- or closed source software, is absolutely better than the other, appears zealot-esque to me. Both strategies produced excellent software products, and bears great opportunities for businesses.
The model of the open source code however, is interesting to watch since it is similar to a centuries-old practice of publishing knowledge, and making it available for everybody: Mathematics
How would mankind have developed, if use of the theorem of Pythagoras or binominal series (for example) would not have been available for everybody?
ATG said:
anyone want to discuss football? ... better chance of less partisan and irrational opinions
Linux/*BSD/Mac OSX/other Unices are only safe from malware/worms/etc., because they are rarely used. <10% (?)
As soon as there would be a standard *nix environment, and the masses would be using it; it would be in a similar focus for malware as Windows desktops are today.
If it would be as easy to exploit as Windows desktops remains to bee seen.
More interesting is what the LINUX kernel stands for:
open-source software.
Stepping forward and claiming one of both, open- or closed source software, is absolutely better than the other, appears zealot-esque to me. Both strategies produced excellent software products, and bears great opportunities for businesses.
The model of the open source code however, is interesting to watch since it is similar to a centuries-old practice of publishing knowledge, and making it available for everybody: Mathematics
How would mankind have developed, if use of the theorem of Pythagoras or binominal series (for example) would not have been available for everybody?
zumbruk said:
If Linux is so crap, how come it is entirely unaffected by some 7 of the 10 top complaints here about spyware, popups, crashing, etc., and does remote desktops "built in"?
Because it only has about 1% of the desktop market. Windows has had built in remote desktop for 3 years now, by the way. It's slighly more effective over DSL than VNC or TightVNC too. Although they are a good substitute.
steve-p said:
Windows has had built in remote desktop for 3 years now, by the way. It's slighly more effective over DSL than VNC or TightVNC too. Although they are a good substitute.
A whole 3 years eh? Wonderful. *nix systems have had remote access for, oh yes, about the last 20-30 years. Starting with telnet, things moved forward and got more secure (when needed) and now we have ssh, and remote X desktop over the ssh connection you have to the box.
TheHobbit said:
A whole 3 years eh? Wonderful. *nix systems have had remote access for, oh yes, about the last 20-30 years. Starting with telnet, things moved forward and got more secure (when needed) and now we have ssh, and remote X desktop over the ssh connection you have to the box.
Well, duh. I have been a unix developer for most of that time. Thanks for that. I didn't realise
steve-p said:
Well, duh. I have been a unix developer for most of that time. Thanks for that. I didn't realise
Sorry, but that wasn't at all apparent in your reply. I could not possibly have gathered that from :
you said:
Windows has had built in remote desktop for 3 years now, by the way. It's slighly more effective over DSL than VNC or TightVNC too. Although they are a good substitute.
steve-p said:
Ok, it was probably an overreaction. As a long time unix *and* win32 developer, I am well aware of the weaknesses and strengths of both platforms. As time goes on, I get increasingly less tolerant of the linux zealots who generally have little knowledge of Windows, and just blindly dismiss it out of hand, feeling smug about how they are in some way smarter than Windows users. They aren't (usually) any smarter, just a hell of a lot more anal.
Yep I agree. No worries. I used to support Windows networks, servers and workstations, but now support 1500+ Linux servers and the network/infrastructure they sit on and use.
Windows is still dominant on the desktop (IMHO) because as good as Linux is, the UI simply isn't friendly enough for the "normal" user. I don't mean any offence or disrespect by that comment.
I have a windows machine at home for my wife to use, because making Linux do things as easily as Windows for her was simply more work than keeping windows patched up to date.... however, I use Linux (Gentoo) on my laptop, and find it does everything I want without fuss.
Horses for courses and all that......
Cheers,
Karl
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