Operating system fanatics are annoying - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

suviko · 06-07-2003, 10:27 AM

I study CS in the university of Helsinki, which takes pride in being the alma mater of Linus Torvalds and the "birth place" of Linux so most of my geek friends are fanatical Linux/Unix users. My bf is a CS student, but works for company doing stuff on MS systems & programs so his home desktop is also Win XP. He wants to decide what stuff is installed on his computer and I don't find this strange. But every so often I whine about something at Irc or wonder what would be a good program to do something and people suggest me to download a Linux program. I tell them this computer is my bf's and runs Windows. They start saying "well put Linux in it!" What would you feel if your gf just changed your operating system or started to try make it run both without asking you??

Today I wanted see a .mpeg my friend had (2003 MTV movie awards Matrix spoof) and he suggests this and installing a p2p-program for Linux to get it from him. He could just put it on his own web server for me(!) or tell me the file name so I can find it with KaZaa. Grrrrrrrr!!! I am really tired with the whole Linux-Windows war. I use Linux (Classic fvwm or Gnome) at univ and Windows at home *shrug* and can't care less about the fanatics screaming "My OS is more reliable than yours!"

SecretMethod70 · 06-07-2003, 10:34 AM

hehe, that's what you get for being in Helsinki studying CS

Either way though, I agree - telling you to just "change your OS" is pretty rediculous - even moreso when it's not your computer. It's one thing to suggest open source tools for the OS a person is using, but what you're describing is pretty silly.

EDIT: Linux-Windows war. Heh. I love how Linus doesn't see things like that at all - that's why he's my hero

A lot more sensible than a lot of Linux zealots out there.

Empty_One · 06-07-2003, 03:29 PM

emacs!

seretogis · 06-07-2003, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Empty_One
emacs!

*shudder*

madsenj37 · 06-07-2003, 05:29 PM

Each OS has its own ups and downs. I personally prefer Apple but its not just a software thing. As for trying to convert people, I do my best not to. I realize that some people want to run games, some want servers etc. I like technologies like Java b/c we can all use teh same programs no matter the platform.

rogue49 · 06-07-2003, 11:02 PM

I've worked with all of them...

UNIX (and many flavors)
Linux (and a variety of flavors)
Windows (through different versions)
Apple (through different versions)
and other OS's too. (remember OS/2, Dr-DOS, Tandy..and even more)

And through 20 years of using all of these...
They ALL have their strengths & weaknesses.
They ALL have quirks & issues.

And I too hate fanatics.
I use them for what I use them,
who gives a crap?

bullgoose · 06-08-2003, 07:42 AM

True believers of any kind are a pain in the ass; I use Linux exclusively, but only because I think Bill Gates is an absolute shit of a human being; some times I wish that I could just run something mindless like Windows; I wish I wasn't such a self-rightious prick.

twister002 · 06-08-2003, 09:38 AM

That sounds like something a M$ WinBlows lover would say suviko!

That's hilarious Bullgoose, I find it funny that most Linux advocates actually hate Bill Gates. Like he's responsible for setting the direction of a company as large as Microsoft. Personally I think that Scott McNeely, Steve Jobs, and Larry Ellison and WAY bigger pricks than Gates.

My opinion is that ALL OSs, Linux included, are getting progressively worse and less stable. I miss my Commodore 64.

bullgoose · 06-08-2003, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by twister002
That sounds like something a M$ WinBlows lover would say suviko!

That's hilarious Bullgoose, I find it funny that most Linux advocates actually hate Bill Gates. Like he's responsible for setting the direction of a company as large as Microsoft. Personally I think that Scott McNeely, Steve Jobs, and Larry Ellison and WAY bigger pricks than Gates.

My opinion is that ALL OSs, Linux included, are getting progressively worse and less stable. I miss my Commodore 64.

I have to agree with you about the operating systems; NONE of the current crop is as stable as they should be; I think it has something to do with the ape-like instinct of humans to try to make everything bright and shiny; functional just isn't good enough, we've gotta have the eye candy. To an extent, I also agree with you about Bill Gates; it's just that he's the poster boy for the Greedy Fuck association; all the rest of the names you mentioned are charter members. If the whole crew burst into flames, I wouldn't piss on any of them to put him out.

ChipX86 · 06-08-2003, 10:38 PM

An OS is a choice. It's a choice that should be based off of one's needs. The factors to consider are the types of data one needs to work with (Word documents? Certain database formats?), whether or not you want to play games that aren't available for alternative operating systems, your work style, and just basically what the computer will be used for. Linux is GREAT for so many purposes, but so is Windows, MacOS X... You can't just choose because everybody says to use something. The choice should be based off an assessment of one's needs.

chodarama · 06-08-2003, 11:12 PM

(yes, those fanatics suck...)

LINUX RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oblar · 06-08-2003, 11:38 PM

I find certain uses for certain OS's.. And when someone is setting up a new computer for a purpose, then I usually suggest an OS (server box; linux almost everytime, but for games and general nonsense, windows)..

but I must agree, when someone tells you to get rid of an OS for a simple problem that can be done in the OS you are currently running is a bit silly.. I was going to setup a mail server on my linux box and I actually had one of our MS fanatical teachers tell me I should just wipe the drive and put windows on it because windows will do everything... :P

suviko · 06-09-2003, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by twister002
That sounds like something a M$ WinBlows lover would say suviko!

No, really, seriously: I know people who were there in the beginning the develop the Linux and by gosh oh golly, I just have gotten A Bit Fed Up with the extreme purism. Try to get this: I have no passion to any direction with operating systems. I just couldn't. Care. Less.

Motry Latchman · 06-09-2003, 02:04 AM

I think you're right on suviko! You could pretty much add OS's to the list of: religion, politics and maybe even pro sports - when people get too carried away in a conversation on any of the above, it's time to change the subject.

06-07-2003, 10:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
suviko Banned	Operating system fanatics are annoying I study CS in the university of Helsinki, which takes pride in being the alma mater of Linus Torvalds and the "birth place" of Linux so most of my geek friends are fanatical Linux/Unix users. My bf is a CS student, but works for company doing stuff on MS systems & programs so his home desktop is also Win XP. He wants to decide what stuff is installed on his computer and I don't find this strange. But every so often I whine about something at Irc or wonder what would be a good program to do something and people suggest me to download a Linux program. I tell them this computer is my bf's and runs Windows. They start saying "well put Linux in it!" What would you feel if your gf just changed your operating system or started to try make it run both without asking you?? Today I wanted see a .mpeg my friend had (2003 MTV movie awards Matrix spoof) and he suggests this and installing a p2p-program for Linux to get it from him. He could just put it on his own web server for me(!) or tell me the file name so I can find it with KaZaa. Grrrrrrrr!!! I am really tired with the whole Linux-Windows war. I use Linux (Classic fvwm or Gnome) at univ and Windows at home shrug and can't care less about the fanatics screaming "My OS is more reliable than yours!"

06-07-2003, 10:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	hehe, that's what you get for being in Helsinki studying CS Either way though, I agree - telling you to just "change your OS" is pretty rediculous - even moreso when it's not your computer. It's one thing to suggest open source tools for the OS a person is using, but what you're describing is pretty silly. EDIT: Linux-Windows war. Heh. I love how Linus doesn't see things like that at all - that's why he's my hero A lot more sensible than a lot of Linux zealots out there. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 06-07-2003 at 10:37 AM..

06-07-2003, 05:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
madsenj37 Still searching... Location: NorCal For Life	Each OS has its own ups and downs. I personally prefer Apple but its not just a software thing. As for trying to convert people, I do my best not to. I realize that some people want to run games, some want servers etc. I like technologies like Java b/c we can all use teh same programs no matter the platform. __________________ "Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe." -- Albert Einstein

06-08-2003, 07:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
bullgoose Insane Location: Central N.Y.	True believers of any kind are a pain in the ass; I use Linux exclusively, but only because I think Bill Gates is an absolute shit of a human being; some times I wish that I could just run something mindless like Windows; I wish I wasn't such a self-rightious prick. __________________ "If I had it to do all over, I'd do it all over you."

06-08-2003, 11:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
oblar Über-Rookie Location: No longer, D.C	I find certain uses for certain OS's.. And when someone is setting up a new computer for a purpose, then I usually suggest an OS (server box; linux almost everytime, but for games and general nonsense, windows).. but I must agree, when someone tells you to get rid of an OS for a simple problem that can be done in the OS you are currently running is a bit silly.. I was going to setup a mail server on my linux box and I actually had one of our MS fanatical teachers tell me I should just wipe the drive and put windows on it because windows will do everything... :P __________________ "All that we can do is just survive. .All that we can do to help ourselves is stay alive." - Rush

06-07-2003, 03:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Empty_One Addict Location: Milwaukee, WI	emacs!

06-07-2003, 11:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
rogue49 Loser	I've worked with all of them... UNIX (and many flavors) Linux (and a variety of flavors) Windows (through different versions) Apple (through different versions) and other OS's too. (remember OS/2, Dr-DOS, Tandy..and even more) And through 20 years of using all of these... They ALL have their strengths & weaknesses. They ALL have quirks & issues. And I too hate fanatics. I use them for what I use them, who gives a crap?

06-08-2003, 09:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
twister002 Crazy	That sounds like something a M$ WinBlows lover would say suviko! That's hilarious Bullgoose, I find it funny that most Linux advocates actually hate Bill Gates. Like he's responsible for setting the direction of a company as large as Microsoft. Personally I think that Scott McNeely, Steve Jobs, and Larry Ellison and WAY bigger pricks than Gates. My opinion is that ALL OSs, Linux included, are getting progressively worse and less stable. I miss my Commodore 64.

06-08-2003, 10:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
ChipX86 Tilted	An OS is a choice. It's a choice that should be based off of one's needs. The factors to consider are the types of data one needs to work with (Word documents? Certain database formats?), whether or not you want to play games that aren't available for alternative operating systems, your work style, and just basically what the computer will be used for. Linux is GREAT for so many purposes, but so is Windows, MacOS X... You can't just choose because everybody says to use something. The choice should be based off an assessment of one's needs.

06-08-2003, 11:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
chodarama Insane Location: a van, down by the river	(yes, those fanatics suck...) LINUX RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

06-09-2003, 02:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
Motry Latchman Crazy Location: to the right of the Coral Sea	I think you're right on suviko! You could pretty much add OS's to the list of: religion, politics and maybe even pro sports - when people get too carried away in a conversation on any of the above, it's time to change the subject. __________________ I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it. Groucho Marx