[LBo] Linux vs. Windows

[Lynn Gallup]

Thanks to all of you for helping me with Linux command line entries, jargon=
, etc. You have caused me to come to a realization about Linux versus Windo=
ws which I believe is essential for any newbie to appreciate if he or she h=
opes to make progress with Linux.

The design approach of Linux is philosophically different from that of Wind=
ows. The gole of Linux is to leave as much control as possible in the hands=
 of the user by retaining a rich command line interface but at the same tim=
e making available a few graphical packages to facillitate everyday use.

The goal of Microsoft with Windows is to isolate the user from the command =
line interface to every extent possible by making use of a graphical interf=
ace essential. In this respect Microsoft retains control over the configura=
tion of Windows. This, of course, is all at the expense of eliminating conf=
iguration control over the operating system by the user.

The Microsoft philosophy is to gear Windows to the mass market - Somewhere =
on a wall at Microsoft must be a picture of the user they are reaching for,=
 a little old grandmother who puts down her knitting with one hand while re=
aching for her laptop with the other.

The Linux philosophy is geared to a very much smaller population of users, =
those who enjoy the technical challenge presented by the computer for its o=
wn sake and for being able to do whatever they wish with the operating syst=
em limited only by their experience and ability.

For the Linux newbie, the proper mental attitude for approaching a switch f=
rom Windows to Linux is to understand that he or she is moving into an oper=
ating system which, in this context, is philosophically like that of MSDOS =
but lightyears more advanced.

Thanks again, I'll be calling on you soon to help with yet another problem.

Regards,
Lynn
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