"Beauregard T. Shagnasty" <a.nony.mous@example.invalid> wrote in
news:ij7h3c$u2v$1@news.eternal-september.org:

> Dustin wrote:
>
>> "Beauregard T. Shagnasty" wrote:
>>> Anonymous wrote:
>>>> A few years ago, I got sick and tired of worrying about all this
>>>> spyware crapola.
>>>
>>> Me too! So I backed up all my data and installed Linux.
>>
>> You're not a technological idiot either, tho. Certainly not what I'd
>> call a typical home user.
>>
>>> It was so refreshing not to have to worry about getting "updates" and
>>> running "scans" all the time...
>>
>> So tell me something.. What can you do with linux that I can't do
>> with windows XP vlk edition (so no product activation nonsense) and
>> the millions of freeware apps out there? I'm going to play typical
>> home user for a moment...
>
> I can 'not bother' to install/update/scan with anti-this&that apps all
> the time. There are just as many Linux freeware apps, too. Heh, all of
> 'em.


<<chuckle>>

For someone who knows what they are doing, it takes all of 5 minutes each
to install and configure a good antivirus program and a good antimalware
program. After that, they run unattended in the background for the next
year or so until they are due for a renewal.

Now, let's match that against the amount of time I would lose learning how
to use an entirely new OS and find and install an acceptable set of
replacement apps (if possible - while Gimp is getting better it is still
not up to snuff). By the time I got "up to speed" with all of that, I would
have wasted enough time to have installed and configured thousands of
antivirus/antimalware programs.


>> I want to goto the nearest gamestop and get the latest 1st person
>> shooter for my pc. How do I know linux?!? is going to run my video
>> game? It says made for windows on the box! all my friends computers
>> run windows. What the hell is linux?
>
> If they feel the need to run Windows-only software, I'll wish them well
> and remind them to keep their anti- apps up to date and run the scans
> frequently. Or, if they aren't complete idiots, I might suggest to
> install a flavor of Linux, then run their Windows software in a VM.


Personally, I do things the other way around. I have two flavors of Linux
installed in VM's on this Windows box. I keep tinkering with them from time
to time to try and see what it is that Linux proponents are so ecstatic
over. I haven't found anything yet to make me want to move to Linux on a
day to day basis.


>> If the typical home user does more with the computer than say a
>> little web surfing and/or office work; what benefit does linux vs
>> windows provide those individuals? How would you convince one of
>> those types to give linux a try?
>
> I'd bring a LiveCD over to their house and give them a demo. It usually
> works to convince them, and we install it on the spot. And they all seem
> to be very happy with the price.



You're welcome to come by and "demonstrate" Linux but I don't think you
will convince me. I'm afraid I do a bit more than just simple web surfing
and office work. I'm also familiar enough with this stuff to NOT gloss over
the hidden costs involved in lack of tech support, lost productivity from
workflow disruption, retraining on new OS/apps, etc.

As far as I'm concerned, the virus/malware argument is not a convincing
reason to switch to Linux (or a Mac for that matter). While it is a
problem, it is also somewhat overblown. The vast majority of infected
systems that are brought in to me are a) running an outdated/non-
updated/inferior antivirus program, b) show evidence of various P2P
downloaders, and/or c) have a user that is click-happy and gullible. A
decent AV program and some education often takes care of the problem. In
some cases, I also add in a good antimalware program to beef up the AV
software.

Just my $0.02 worth....


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