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Cooking With Linux 241

Posted by michael from the needs-more-salt dept.
Georg Tobin writes "LinuxWorld open source editor Kevin Bedell conducts a very interesting interview with Michael Stutz, author of the new Linux Cookbook, 2nd Edition, on the language of the Linux command line, cookbooks, economics, and what applications you absolutely need Windows for."
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Cooking With Linux More

Cooking With Linux

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  • Yep... (Score:3, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:05AM (#11440265)
    Nothing like cooking with an Athlon running Linux

  • Comment removed (Score:4, Insightful)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:06AM (#11440268)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Overstatement (Score:5, Interesting)

    by vladd_rom ( 809133 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:06AM (#11440269) Homepage
    >> Linux is loaded with applications, everything you need.

    That doesn't seem true to me. There are lots of areas where Linux applications could use improvement. Photoshop for example (GIMP, while on the good track, is still way to go in this area).

    I mainly agree with the points outlined, but not everything is perfect, and Linux still has some catch-up to do in some areas.

    • Many fields left where Linux is unsuitable (Score:5, Insightful)

      by AthenianGadfly ( 798721 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:10AM (#11440280)

      Contrary to the article, Windows is good for more than viruses and freeze-ups. In certain specialized fields, Linux is still much more difficult (or impossible) to run. The examples I am most familiar with are animation (as far as I know, no Linux program exists to create Flash animation, and the only 3d animation program I'm aware of is Blender), professional audio (fun with ALSA, anyone?), and graphics (aside from the GIMP issue, what about vector graphics and publishing?).

      Yes, some of this is because more manufacturers cater to Windows rather than Linux, but the fact remains that this makes Windows more suitable for some things. Linux is not inherently less capable of performing these functions, but the tools don't exist yet.

      • > as far as I know, no Linux program exists to create Flash
        > animation, and the only 3d animation program I'm aware of is
        > Blender)

        Have you looked at sodipodi ? or some of the other vector tools? they can all, be used to create vector based images to print as cels.

      • MOD PARENT UP!!! (Score:2, Insightful)

        by Prod_Deity ( 686460 )
        I work with professional audio at home and work.

        ALSA is a pain in the ass.

        Audacity is good for an amature, but like the parent said, until there are more professional apps, Linux will just be a good server os, and an o.k. desktop.

        If businesses cannot embrace Linux due to lack of apps, who will?

        • Re:MOD PARENT UP!!! (Score:5, Insightful)

          by joto ( 134244 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @07:11AM (#11440563)
          Huh? Alsa? What's wrong with alsa? It's a sound-driver. It makes it possible to get input and output to and from your soundcard(s). It supports hardware and software mixing. And with linux/alsa/jack you generally get lower latency and higher flexibility than with windows. It also supports several professional soundcards...

          Now audacity, I can agree. It's not in any way comparable to many professional audio tools for windows. But hey, if you wan't professional audio tools, why pick on audacity, it doesn't look like it was intended to be one. Now, if you had picked on wired, muse, ardour, rosegarden, ecasound, csound, pd, jmax, cmt, rtcmix , nyquist, sweep, jamin, or any of the other more "professional" tools, I could have understood you. But picking on audacity for not being suitable for professionals is like picking on soundrec.exe for much the same reason.

        • Could you be more specific about how alsa was a pain in the ass? My setup was fairly painless...

        • Re:MOD PARENT UP!!! (Score:2, Informative)

          by Mprx ( 82435 )
          Ardour [ardour.org] is the equal of Windows pro level apps. It might not look as flashy, but it is very powerful.
      • The examples I am most familiar with are animation (as far as I know, no Linux program exists to create Flash animation, and the only 3d animation program I'm aware of is Blender), professional audio (fun with ALSA, anyone?), and graphics (aside from the GIMP issue, what about vector graphics and publishing?).

        Flash for Linux, DrawSWF, Spalah Flash, SWF Tools gAnim8, and OpenOffice all do swf with varying degrees of utility.

        I won't even try to list the 3d tools - there are hundreds, from POVRay frontends to full-on commercial packages like Maya. I find it hard to believe anyone seriously involved with 3D animation could fail to be aware the role of Linux within the industry. It's Dreamworks, ILM, Disney, Weta and Pixar's main platform, for fuck's sake.

        There are plenty of pro level audio tools for Linux too. Just have a look on Sourceforge or Freshmeat.

        Look mate, not knowing something is not a problem, but parading your ignorance when a couple of minutes with google would have enlightened you is just FUD-spreading. Give it a break, please.

        • Re:Many fields left where Linux is unsuitable (Score:5, Insightful)

          by Tim C ( 15259 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @07:49AM (#11440633)
          all do swf with varying degrees of utility.

          So, do any of them truly compare to the Windows Flash tools? "Varying degrees of utility" covers a multitude of sins, after all; a little more detail would be appreciated.

          I find it hard to believe anyone seriously involved with 3D animation could fail to be aware the role of Linux within the industry. It's Dreamworks, ILM, Disney, Weta and Pixar's main platform, for fuck's sake.

          And how many of those places you list use off the shelf software of the type mere mortals like you and I can ever hope to use? I'm sure renderman and its ilk are truly supurb pieces of software, but at hundreds of thousands of dollars a licence, they may as well not exist from my point of view.

          There are plenty of pro level audio tools for Linux too. Just have a look on Sourceforge or Freshmeat.

          In my experience, "pro level" and sf (especially) and fm do not generally mix. For every high-quality, usable project there are a dozen or more that are a complete waste of time. Telling someone "just look on sourceforge" is next to useless without supplying a project name or two.

          parading your ignorance when a couple of minutes with google would have enlightened you is just FUD-spreading

          As far as I can see, all you've really done is said "no, there's plenty of software!!!". With the exception of the Flash stuff (and even there you're hazy), you've really not given much in the way of definite information. Just some hand-wavy "lots of people use it for that" type stuff.
          • Where are you getting the "hundreds of thousands of dollars" figure? RenderMan compliant renderers start at free, and go up to a few thousand. You may want to check out aqsis, if you are interested in renderman, but don't want to spend money on a license... As for competant modelling and animation software priced for the hobbyist, there is less that is so impressive, which is why you hear so much about Blender.

        • Re:Many fields left where Linux is unsuitable (Score:4, Insightful)

          by TheSunborn ( 68004 ) <mtilstedNO@SPAMgmail.com> on Saturday January 22, 2005 @08:02AM (#11440671)
          It's a shame that DrawSWF, Spalah Flash, SWF Tools and gAnim8 are all alpha version software which can't be used for anything except toy projects.

          And yes I looked because I need som software that can be used to develop flash files in linux. Including support for flash script.

          But none of the tools you mentioned can really be used for anything usefull.
        • Flash for Linux, DrawSWF, Spalah Flash, SWF Tools gAnim8, and OpenOffice all do swf with varying degrees of utility.

          I work as a web developer for a marketing agency, and I have the only Linux workstation in the building. I also have a Windows workstation, so it is very easy for me to compare both platforms.

          Evolution works well even for corporate email. I use GAIM on both machines, play MP3's on the Linux box, and do most of my work in vi (yet there are other editors that work well, I just like vi).
          • I have heard complaints about Photoshop 7 in WINE, relating to layer rendering, font placement and unopenable dialog boxes. I don't think I would trust it under those conditions.

            I personally have additional problems. I use a Wacom artpad, and I've been able to find no information on whether compiling X with pad support, and WINE and Photoshop will all work together, with full pressure and tilt support. It's a LOT of work to recompile and install and troubleshoot all that shit just to find out if it MIGHT
      • "no Linux program exists to create Flash animation, and the only 3d animation program I'm aware of is Blender) ... and graphics (aside from the GIMP issue, what about vector graphics and publishing?)."

        For 3D, you could get XSI or Maya. Both are very high end apps. (You'll find them both at ILM, for example.) For 2D, if you're a professional, GIMP is a pain in the ass. I've heard WINE will run Photoshop, though. For vector... no idea.

        If you're doing 3D or 2D professionally, now's not the right time

      • Re:Many fields left where Linux is unsuitable (Score:2, Funny)

        by Anonymous Coward
        "Windows is good for more than viruses and freeze-ups."

        True, but it is the market leader in those areas.

      • Re:Many fields left where Linux is unsuitable (Score:2, Insightful)

        by Anonymous Coward
        blah.

        Who cares?

        What I use Linux for, what 90% of what people use computers for work out much much better on Linux if only they would take the time to learn how to use it.

        It's a freakin tool. Linux is like fine wood carving knife. Solid yet flexible that can be made razor sharp or into a saw blade for whatever purpose you want to use Linux for.

        Windows is like a electric turkey cutter in comparision. It works realy well at cutting slices of turkey, but that is about it.

        Of course you have to realise that
      • I would say this: if you need these things, buy a Mac. For this sort of thing, macs are down right affordable. I have heard some complaints about them, but overall the creative types seem to like them and use them. All the software you need is there, it's pretty, and it is loosely based on UNIX. I think that Linux should stop feeling threatened by Apple/OS X and act more like multiplatform OS X-lite (now, don't flame me, I'm a linux user, and it hurts to admit that Linux isn't perfect). Macs are close

    • Re:Overstatement (Score:2, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward

      I mainly agree with the points outlined, but not everything is perfect, and Linux still has some catch-up to do in some areas.

      Oh yeah, tell me about it. Have you ever tried to find a Ukrainian pr0n dialer for Linux? Or a good pop-up injector? How about a program that reports web usage to advertisers? It's almost impossible! I will admit, Linux does have some good key-loggers, but what good are key-loggers without a browser exploit to install them?

      I'm sorry, but until the OSS community steps forward to fi

    • well.. maybe the point is that linux distributions tend to be usable for usual home-work staright out of the box, with no need to buy photoshop & other software for 1000$ dollars.

      if there was a PERFECT copyprotection system linux would gain instant popularity.

    • Re:Overstatement (Score:3, Interesting)

      by gmuslera ( 3436 )
      See the list of bundled applications in the average Linux distribution as someone that just installed Windows (and/or don't want to spend a penny more) and that phrase will have a lot of sense.

  • Anyone else.. (Score:4, Funny)

    by Turn-X Alphonse ( 789240 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:07AM (#11440270) Journal
    Anyone else thinking that he over clocked his machine and got out a frying pan? I know students are cheap but thats a new low..

  • Stock Exchange Trading (Score:3, Informative)

    by essence ( 812715 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:09AM (#11440279) Homepage Journal
    I haven't found a broker that has software that runs on linux, unless its a web based interface.

    I use Market Maker from CMC Group [cmcgroup.com.au] for trading CFD's and FXCM [fxcm.com] Trading Station for forex trading. They are far superior to any web based app I've seen.

    ....but I use linux for everything else!!
  • find it annoying how he alway throws fragments of his failed creative writing into technical articles?

    I don't know how many articles of his I've tried slogging through only to give up in discust with his French waiter schtick.
  • Entertainment - XMMS, xine tvtime
    Office work - Open Office
    Surf the net and an email - Firefox and buddies
    Chat - no comments ;)
    Games - Only thing I miss couple of games apart from Doom

    No need to install drivers, for example for some wired reason my tv tunner card always stuck under all edition of Windows but it works great on 2.6 kernel

    Hey Linux makes great desktop for me I don't need graphics application just use it as computer for above and I'm done :D
    • "Chat - no comments ;)"
      Why ? Are you Gaim ?
    • "Games - Only thing I miss couple of games apart from Doom"

      Ever notice how some Linux users turn into minimalists when the whole games thing is mentioned? Heh.
      • Can't speak for everyone ... but even way back when I was using windows I only had 5 or 6 games. They are all sitting next to me, and half of them run better under wine than natively on windows. Dont laugh, its true. The only one that doesnt run is Age Of Empires. Although I am sure if I wanted to fiddle with it ..... I could make it work.

        At this point I would guess that 50% of all major PC games run fine either natively (ID games, UT etc) or through wine. Given the target market and the other advantage
    • Chat - no comments ;)

      Try Kopete [kde.org]. From the webpage:
      Kopete is an instant messenger supporting AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, IRC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, Lotus SameTime*, and more. It is designed as a flexible and extensible multi-protocol system using plugins. (* in CVS)
      It has always worked great for me.

    • The one application that I would like to see on linux is
      Chinese handwriting recognition

      (there are plenty for windows and a few for mac for example see worldlanguage.com [worldlanguage.com] but NONE for linux)

      There are keyboard input methods that works under linux, and i use emacs for keyboard entry, which is a partial solution for me but not perfect.

      obviously i would prefer to see some software like this under gpl but i am prepared to pay for a commercial offering

      i think that such software would have the potentia

  • Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)

    by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:18AM (#11440303)
    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Interesting (Score:4, Insightful)

    by RobertTaylor ( 444958 ) <roberttaylor1234.gmail@com> on Saturday January 22, 2005 @05:21AM (#11440312) Homepage Journal
    "Kevin Bedell conducts a very interesting interview with Michael Stutz"

    Interesting? Long term Linux user has book to sell.

    EOF.

  • "very interesting" (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward
    It's not. Don't bother reading it. Really.
    • If you stand by your decision then come out of ac - or are you just trolling knowing that you'll get modded down?
      • /* for the record: I never post AC and I don't know who that was - and yes, I'm on my monthly trolling spree, treat it as such */

        So let's see:
        - has used Linux exclusively for over a decade. He was the first to apply the open source methodology of Linux to non-software works
        - My background is literature and philosophy, which has brought the advantage of perspective
        - Forty years ago the United States was the greatest producer society in the world. What happened in that interval and how does it relate t
  • This must be the most content-free interview I've read this year.

  • you absolutely need Windows for (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Gator
    Bonzi Buddy
    Cydoor
    • Adobe Photoshop
      Macromedia Studio
        • Adobe Photoshop
          Macromedia Studio

        I suppose 100% of the Windows market uses these programs? Yeah right. For a small group of people, these apps might be the sticking point. That's fine if they really are a requirement, but for what most people do with their computers, Linux is not only adequate - it's better. The sad part is, people just don't know it. The internet experience on Linux may have it's annoyances (e.g., IE only sites), but then again, viruses, worms, etc. - I don't even care.

        • ### but for what most people do with their computers, Linux is not only adequate - it's better

          No, its still worse. Linux might be better for a bit of mail and internet or some business uses with limited application requirements, but thats as far as it goes, people do a lot of other things on their computers beside mail and internet browsing (games, tax programms, house planing, custom software from @work, etc.). And simply getting a video from the net is already a pain in the ass under Linux, yes I can use

          • Re:you absolutely need Windows for (Score:4, Insightful)

            by anagama ( 611277 ) <obamaisaneocon@nothingchanged.org> on Saturday January 22, 2005 @08:13AM (#11440705) Homepage
            Re: Linux and gaming

            You hear no end to the gaming argument. Fine. I'm still willing to bet that not 100% of computer users are gamers. When I was a kid, I played with my Atari, then my CoCo, and finally PC games. But at some point, at least for some users, there comes a time when games are just dull. Then, what do you use a computer for? Keeping data, analyzing data, email, internet -- stuff like that. There are lots of users who don't game and don't do photoshop. As for movies on the computer - I'm not that interested. I have a very nice TV/DVD setup - why would I want to look at video on a comparatively tiny monitor while sitting at a desk when I can sit back in true comfort (and no fan noise)?

            I'm not saying Linux is perfect for everyone. But all these "it won't run photoshop or play games" arguments only prove that it isn't ready for a subset of users. For middle aged farts like me who want to graph data from my kiln firings, surf the net, check my email, and write a few letters, Linux isn't missing anything at all. Subtract viruses and worms from the mix, and Linux is far better. For now though, you gamers and graphic artists will just have to suffer with windows, but for crying out loud, enough already with the "Linux isn't ready" baloney. Although it doesn't meet your particular needs - there are lots of people for whom it would be perfect - they just don't know it.

  • I managed to read that as "Cooking with Linus"

    That would have made a great article.

  • About Michael Stutz Michael Stutz has used Linux exclusively for over a decade. He was the first to apply the open source methodology of Linux to non-software works

    This is utter BS. The open source methodology is basically the scientific method, which has been used for at least hundreds of years. Other kinds of OS analogies, like folk music, go back way more.

  • Recipe for Linux (Score:2, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    You will need:

    500 g of prime, lean penguin meat
    2 kg of Finnish Human soaked in Swedish wine
    1 tablespoon of Stallman stock

    Instructions

    1. Combine the ingredients in a rough manner but ensure that they bind well
    2. Simmer slowly over 10 years or so on a low heat
    3. Add some more Stallman stock and bring to the boil
    4. Quickly place the lid on to avoid boilover, or alternatively add 2 litres of Redmond FUD to cool things off
    5. Add 1 kg of the secret ingredient (rock cocaine) to keep the diners happy
    6. Present

  • Right tool for the right job (Score:4, Interesting)

    by syousef ( 465911 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @06:33AM (#11440477) Journal
    Linux is good for:
    - Scientific apps (I know Astronomy best but as I understand it there are other areas where Analysis tools are all written to run under Un*x)
    - Running as a web/ftp/mail etc. etc. internet server
    - Teaching developers to code in a number of languages without forking out tens of dollars on costly development environments
    - Generally running in places where otherwise licensing costs would be prohibitive.
    - Users who want more control over the environment, and can afford the time configuring it correctly.

    Windows is good for:
    - Writing documents (Word, Excel etc. suck but they're still better than anything else I've seen)
    - Presentations, Graphics, Video editing (though plenty would argue Mac's better still).
    - The many tasks where there isn't equivalent software under Linux. Can you beat Chessmaster, Fritz, Chessbase, Shredder, Tasc Tutor for chess on Linux? Certainly not. And I'm sorry but gimp is a poor replacement for Photoshop/Paintshop pro.

    Why the hell would anyone want to use one OS where another works better? Until there are a LOT more feature rich easy to use applications and more variety under Linux than Windows that's the way it is. Using Linux for running office software is like using a saw to hammer in a nail. Using Windows as a high volume web server is similarly absurd. Don't let Linux zealots or Windows money hungry corporate sales people fool you into throwing away this common sense principle.
    • Have you ever used openoffice ? Given my personal experience OOo performs just about the same as MO.

      Can't speak about Gimp vs paint/photoshop since I am about has graphic savvy as a brick. Linux is clearly the worst for end-user graphic/video stuff although there are tons of high end packages availible for it. OSX is clearly tops in this catagory (I assume we are talking 'home user' here ?)

      "can afford the time configuring it correctly."

      The average person doesnt spend any time configuring their w
      • Have you ever used openoffice ? Given my personal experience OOo performs just about the same as MO.

        I agree that OOo is a good replacement for MS Office, but the whole WYSIWYG idea sucks for writing anything more than a few pages. For longer, structured documents LaTeX or something similar is much better. It runs on Windows as well.

        In my opinion, word processors are just glorified drawing programs, with a few special features added to make text processing easier. They tend to make the user more focus

        • I agree that OOo is a good replacement for MS Office, but the whole WYSIWYG idea sucks for writing anything more than a few pages. For longer, structured documents LaTeX or something similar is much better. It runs on Windows as well.

          There's so much wrong with this sentence I don't know where to begin. Non-WYSIWYG solutions are awful if presentation matters to you and it can matter for a lot of reasons (eg. your document has to conform to a standard for legal purposes, your technical illustrations work be
      • Have you ever used openoffice ? Given my personal experience OOo performs just about the same as MO.

        Yes I have. I wonder just how people who think its just as good as Microsoft Office use Microsoft Office, because I've found it to be useless.

        I have switched probably 2 dozen friends/family over to linux in the past 2 years. The vast majority were your standard "web, email, IM" users.

        Yes if all you do is web, email and IM, Linux will do just fine. For office use I totally disagree.
        • "I wonder just how people who think its just as good as Microsoft Office use Microsoft Office, because I've found it to be useless."

          Well I am going to take a stab in the dark here .... Perhaps they use MS office the same way that you use OOo. Without knowing how to use it.

          I have never had any need to use either on a regular basis but given the limited experience with both they seem eerily similar in function and form.
          • I have never had any need to use either on a regular basis but given the limited experience with both they seem eerily similar in function and form.

            Well I've had to use MS Office extensively throughout my career where as you're saying you've never had to use either. Tell me again how this makes you more qualified to decide if Open Office is a replacement for MS Office than I?

            I tried Open Office for long enough to see that key features were laking. I also had problems (especially with layout) opening Open
            • Pull your head out of your ass you self indulgent jackass. I was merely making a recomendation. I know nothing more about your needs than you know about anyone else's yet you were making the EXACT same type of recomendation.

              You claim features are lacking ? Like what ? I have had to use both, not extensivly (ie day to day) but I most certainly have had to deal with them repeatedly. Both of them are bloated pieces of shit. Neither one is cross-compatible, at least not as much as they should be.

              If you
              • I love your attitude. Paraphrased it is: I don't use the software and don't need features, but I'll make a recommendation anyway. If you need a certain set of features, or you need to do something accurately in your job it is uselss and you are too.

                And I'm the self indulgent jackass huh? Oh yeah I'll take your recommendation.

                You'd last all of 2 minutes in any job I've held.

    • The many tasks where there isn't equivalent software under Linux. Can you beat Chessmaster, Fritz, Chessbase, Shredder, Tasc Tutor for chess on Linux? Certainly not.

      xboard is an x11 front end to professional-quality chess engines such as Crafty and GNU Chess as well as some of the chess servers that attract the best players.

      Yes, xboard might not have feature X of the software you listed, but you did say "there just isn't equivalent software". In the hands of a good chess player xboard is more than adaquate.

  • Rule of thumb, don't listen to Linux users when you want to know how good or bad it compares to Windows or other operating systems. I mean when I read:

    "Michael Stutz has used Linux exclusively for over a decade."

    and then:

    "Q: Do you think that Linux has enough applications that people can completely leave Windows behind?

    A: Absolutely"

    and then

    "Q: Is there anything you need to run Windows for?

    A: ..I refer to the area of e-mail viruses - they just don't make them for Linux like they do for Windows...."

    I
  • From TFA:

    Our cities are decaying and dangerous. The implications for the younger generation are terrifying. But with Linux, we could turn all of that around!

    Hey, I'm a big fan of Linux, I'm writing this from Konqueror, but I think he is stretching just a bit, don't you?

  • Loved the first edition (Score:4, Informative)

    by falkryn ( 715775 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @08:12AM (#11440702)
    I've read a good chunk of the first one, and felt it's really one of the better Linux titles out there, bonus that it's based off of Debian GNU/Linux. Strong emphasis on doing things via command line, but well written even for someone who might usually shy away from that type of thing (not me though har, har!! ;-)

    Anyhow, if I remember right the author had even released the first edition under a free license, and you were able to find it published online as well. (http://www.dsl.org/cookbook/cookbook_toc.html)
    I wonder about this one...

  • No pro sound apps for Linux (Score:4, Informative)

    by blueworm ( 425290 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @08:26AM (#11440750) Homepage
    Barely any commercial vendors write VST plugins or multitrack host environments for them.

    Examples of things you can only find on Windows/Mac:

    Cubase (www.steinberg.net)
    Logic (www.apple.com/logic)
    ReFX (www.refx.net)
    Albino2 (www.linplug.com)
    NI: (www.native-instruments.com)

    And these are just a few major examples. You have to convince these types of companies to port to Linux before you'll draw the professional audio crowd. I wish it could happen!

  • From the article.. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by matt-fu ( 96262 ) on Saturday January 22, 2005 @10:02AM (#11441080)
    Is there anything you need to run Windows for?

    Yes, there is an area affecting business and home use where Linux is greatly deficient, and I see no solution coming at all. I refer to the area of e-mail viruses - they just don't make them for Linux like they do for Windows. Same with a lot of those crippling meltdowns and system errors. If you want a blue screen of death freeze-up, you pretty much have to run Windows to get it.

    Way to promote your book. I reluctantly have a Windows box, but it does none of the things described above.

    If this is any indication of how the book is going to read, I'm almost embarassed to have my Windows user friends run across it. The author could have parlayed this question into a useful answer, but his FUD tells me absolutely nothing about how Linux is able to get over some of the other hurdles which keep Unix lovers from dumping our Windows platforms altogether, such as driver issues, games, and out of the box media playing.

    I hate to write the book off entirely based on an interview, but this platform bashing Linux evangelism is of no use to anyone who is past high school age.

  • After having read the interview and a few reviews on Amazon about the book, I have to say it sounds like something I'd buy.

    I should say "despite the interview", though. LW needs to vet their questions more closely. If "Do you think that Linux is just for home users?" slips through the process, it really cheapens the article in the eyes of knowledgeable readers. I've read some of Kevin Bedell's other work, and this just isn't up to his usual standards.

    What I find most objectionable, though, is the author

  • And we're back to this fundamental need on Linux:

    I still can't do tax software on linux. Heck, I'd be happy if someone managed to create tex or pdf forms I could fill in. But no-oo!

    Web interfaces don't work, because I have a consulting S-Corp form or three, but last time I checked, even the 1040 long form and schedule C's (which I couldn't live without) aren't handled by the web-based tax tools. Besides, I'm utterly freaked about a website hosting my tax data.

    Since I'm pretty sick of perpetually nursi
  • I find penguins to be rather tough and greasy... ;-)

  • Take the interview with a grain of salt (Score:3, Interesting)

    by serutan ( 259622 ) <snoopdoug AT geekazon DOT com> on Saturday January 22, 2005 @02:13PM (#11442683) Homepage
    The United States is no longer a world leader in art and culture. The most popular word to describe its citizens today is "consumer." Our cities are decaying and dangerous. The implications for the younger generation are terrifying. But with Linux, we could turn all of that around!

    Hell-loo?

    Fortunately you can benefit from this book even if you don't share the author's view that Linux is the key to the survival of American civilization. I found the 1st ed very helpful in my transition to using Linux as my main system (although I still keep Windows around for reasons other than downloading viruses and worms).

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