Re: [OS:N:] OSN - what are the best desktop systemsforeducational use?

[<markjensen charter net>]

On Wed, 5 Nov 2003 13:01:58 -0600
 "Brian E. Adams" <briana jeffneddie com> wrote:
> Can you clarify 'linux is far superior to Windows' for 
> me?

My definition would be that in licensing freedoms, 
up-front price, long-term maintainability and 
networking/multi-user capability, Linux has Windows 
beaten.  Hands down.

The long-term costs are constantly argued, and may each be 
valid with the *conditions stated* in each report.  You 
will find that most reports favoring a lower TCO for 
Microsoft have strange assumptions being made.

Windows has the advantage of being the dominant player, 
and beign in such a position, they wield a lot of 
power/influence over hardware and software vendors. 
Influence that the Linux community isn't large enough to 
have at this point.  This advantage has given them the 
luxury of being pre-installed almost to the point of 
ubiquity.  The perception is that Windows is just 'how 
computers are supposed to work', and anything different 
(Linux, BSD, Mac, etc.) is somehow 'wrong' or 'inferior'.

As Linux continues to build the TREMENDOUS momentum that 
it is just now coming to see, there will be a turning 
point in popular perception.  At this point, Windows will 
be just another OS.  It may still have its place on some 
PCs.  It may not.  The only thing certain is that they 
will be less significant to the overall computing world.

Just my 3 cents...  ;)

Mark