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Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy

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On Sun, 15 Mar 2015 21:58:02 +0000 (UTC), Rich <rich@example.invalid>
wrote:

>http://opensource.com/business/14/12/linux-philosophy
>
>Quoting from the URL above:
>
>   All operating systems have a philosophy. And, the philosophy of an
>   operating system matters. What is the Linux philosophy and how does it
>   affect the community? How has it changed software development for the
>   ages?
>
>   Whether we know it or not, most of us have some sort of philosophy of
>   life. It may be as simple as, "Be kind to others," or it might be a very
>   complex life philosophy.
>
>   Many companies have some sort of philosophy as well. They may be
>   unwritten or well-documented. When I worked at IBM, from 1974 through
>   1995, the IBM philosophy was well-documented and strongly ingrained in
>   the culture. IBM's philosophy covered its business practices and how
>   employees, customers, and suppliers were to be treated. The IBM prime
>   directive, as it were, was to treat everyone fairly, with respect and
>   dignity.
>
>   Before I started working with Linux in some depth, I had never known
>   that it had a philosophy. I mean, what could a philosophy actually do
>   for an operating system? After a bit of research, I discovered that all
>   operating systems have a philosophy. I also learned that the philosophy
>   of an operating system matters.
>
>   For example, the philosophy of Windows is very similar to that of
>   Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC) VMS operating system. It amounts
>   to "shield the users from everything that might get them into trouble."
>   Of course, the reason for this similarity is that the prime developer of
>   Windows NT is the same person who developed VMS. The philosophy of both
>   operating systems is based on the underlying belief that users are
>   afraid of computers and need to be shielded from their complexity.
>
> 

 A laudible enough aim in itself until this 'Philosophy of Protection'
is extended to cover the consumers' needs at the expense of usability
by actual "Computer Users"(tm).

 In Microsoft's case, I have the supreme example in mind of how they
swiftly sacrificed the usablity of windows 2000 Professional with
obscene haste on the altar of consumer demand for a consumer-centric
"Magic Box" when it was morphed into that festering PoS known as
windows XP.
-- 
J B Good

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The impact of the Linux philosophy Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2015-03-15 21:58 +0000
  Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Dario Niedermann <dnied@tiscali.it> - 2015-03-16 16:02 +0100
  Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2015-03-16 14:45 -0400
    Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Marko Rauhamaa <marko@pacujo.net> - 2015-03-16 23:58 +0200
      Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy DD <usenet.xyzzyx@spamgourmet.com> - 2015-03-16 17:56 -0700
        Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Marko Rauhamaa <marko@pacujo.net> - 2015-03-17 08:25 +0200
          Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> - 2015-03-17 23:12 -0300
            Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Chuck Martin <cmartin+usenet@nyx.net> - 2015-03-18 08:32 +0000
              Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Mike Spencer <mds@bogus.nodomain.nowhere> - 2015-03-18 11:41 -0300
      Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy RS Wood <rsw@therandymon.com> - 2015-03-18 16:19 +0000
        Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Paul Sture <nospam@sture.ch> - 2015-03-18 20:58 +0100
        Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Marko Rauhamaa <marko@pacujo.net> - 2015-03-19 06:25 +0200
  Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy Johny B Good <johnny-b-good@invalid.ntlworld.com> - 2015-03-16 23:34 +0000
  Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2015-04-23 16:36 +0000
    Re: The impact of the Linux philosophy wetdaemon@bsd.box - 2015-04-23 18:31 +0000

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