Five Reasons I'd Rather Run Windows 8 Than Linux

[Turk]

By David Gewirtz January 27, 2014 12:28 GMT

Summary: I'm not telling you not to run Linux. I'm not even telling you that I won't run Linux. I'm just telling you that I'd rather run Windows. It's that simple.

Many of us use Linux every day. Thankfully, most of the people using Linux don't know they're using Linux.

My octogenarian parents, for example, have been using their TiVo DVRs for years, but have no idea that there's a variant of Linux running deep inside. The guy who installed my kitchen cabinets, who loves his Android phone but insists Facebook is hard to use has no idea he's using a variant of Linux.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Chromebooks make up 20 percent of all school mobile computer purchases. I'm betting the vast majority of those K-12 students using Chromebooks have no idea (and couldn't possibly be made to care) that they're using a variant of Linux.

There is no denying that Linux, when well-hidden, has great value. I very quite enjoy all my Android devices as well as my Chromebook. I've been a very happy (well, except when they break down every two years) TiVo user for more than a decade.

But there's a difference between using Linux like a random Ford purchaser uses a carburetor (like an embedded part) and using Linux as Linux.

First off, Linux fans are crazy. Want an example? Okay, let's try this one. My wife recently installed Mint on an old Alienware laptop that was gathering dust. Which brings me to Reason #1.

Reason #1: As soon as you mention one distro, all the fanboys go insane claiming you've made the wrong choice.

You did it, didn't you? Just as soon as I mentioned Mint, a whole bunch of you started to foam at the mouth. Mint's not the distro-du-jour anymore. There's Bodhi. There's Xubuntu. There's the truly unfortunately named DouDou.

Of course, there's Red Hat, Ubuntu, and even PCLinuxOS for those who really can't decide. That's not the point.

I don't even mind that there are more than six hundred individual and different Linux distributions out there. No, it's the fanbois.

As soon as you mention one distribution, everyone just jumps all over you insisting that his or her particular pet distribution is the best.

That doesn't happen much in Windows. Sure, mention Windows 8 and someone will grumble about still running XP or Windows 7, but there's never a raised voice, there's never any real stridency, and there are certainly no threatening missives written by some forty-year-old still living in his mommy's basement.

Reason #2: For all of us who have lives, there's Windows.

I don't need to write this one in detail. I wrote it before. Back in 2011, I wrote Why I've finally had it with my Linux server and I'm moving back to Windows after one of my Linux servers crashed (and I was very, very cranky).

To be fair, since then I have spun up some Linux servers (you really can't escape them), but they're still often cranky and uncooperative. Some common software won't run with certain distros.

Back in 2012, I wrote Dropbox is everywhere, but not, apparently, on most servers after my very helpful and knowledgeable ISP and I spent days trying to get Dropbox to work on CentOS, even though it works fine on other distros.

Don't get hung up on the Dropbox example. The point is, Linux can just be plain annoying. And so can its users...

Reason #3: The aggressively nutball Linux community

Don't get me wrong here. Windows fanboys aren't exactly well-behaved. But compared to the Linux crybaby whiners, the Windows kids are little angels.

After I wrote about the server crash back in 2011, there were a whole lot -- a whole, whole lot -- of comments and emails. Many weren't exactly nice, and many were wildly internally inconsistent. I wrote about it in Mea culpa: coming clean about my n00b Linux mistakes, but the best summary of the nutball Linux community reaction was a little video I put together that helps showcase the true Linux-lover lunacy.

But let's get away from personalities, people who don't bathe, and the whole basement <airquote>Fortress of Solitude</airquote> thing.

Reason #4: Linux doesn't run many serious production applications

Linux doesn't run the Adobe Creative Cloud applications. There's no Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, After Effects, Premiere, and so forth. Sure, you can run The GIMP on Linux. Yippee. But I'm talking real applications.

Let's go one further. Microsoft Office doesn't run natively on Linux. Okay, settle down. I know what you're all going to say. But Microsoft Office is the standard for Office suites and whether or not Open Office or Libre Office or Che Guevara Office runs on Linux, it's not real Microsoft Office.

Evernote doesn't even run on Linux (and Evernote runs on everything, including WebOS and BlackBerry —and even Windows touch). But it doesn't run on Linux.

The point is, if you need to get real work done using real desktop applications, Linux is simply not a wise choice.

Reason #5: Windows is just nicer

I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know some of you like command lines and shell scripts and can't imagine using a graphical user interface. I know others of you simply hate Redmond.

Meanwhile, other Linux users have gone so far as to use a highly-customized GUI on Linux to make it seem Windows-like, in some sort of deeply sad Windows-wannabe attempt to feel like you're loved as much as the better-adjusted Windows children.

So sad.

Windows is by far the more pleasant environment. The desktop interface is battle tested and familiar to everyone (and with the addition of Start8 or the new Windows 8.1 Start button, it feels just like old-time Windows 7).

Even the touch interface for Windows 8 and 8.1 is pretty sweet. Sure, there aren't many compelling Windows 8 touch applications, but there are a whole lot more than there are for the typical Linux distribution.

If you want to run an application, you just run it. You don't have to go through days of script hacks, package fights, version hassles, distro disturbances, and all the rest. With Windows, you just get your work done.

Without a doubt, Windows is simply a more pleasant, peaceful operating system than Linux.

That's really what it's all about. Windows is far more compatible, far more accepted, far more understood, and it works. By contrast, Linux is populated by a subculture of immaturity and pseudo-rebellion that's neither welcoming to newcomers or pleasant to professionals interested more in productivity than proletarian pronouncements.

I'm not telling you not to run Linux. I'm not even telling you that I won't run Linux. I'm just telling you that I'd rather run Windows. It's that simple.

Go ahead. Comment. Rant. Prove me right.
http://www.zdnet.com/five-reasons-id-rather-run-windows-8-than-linux-7000025597

David Gewirtz, Distinguished Lecturer at CBS Interactive, is an author, U.S. policy advisor, and computer scientist. He is featured in the History Channel special The President's Book of Secrets and is a member of the National Press Club. Edited February 2, 2014 by Turk

[Chancer]

I agree with you!

I keep Ubuntu in a VM just in case I need it!

[shamu726]

Why this is news I have no idea. There's nothing newsworthy in this article, just one person's opinionated rant about how he's too stupid to do anything without Windows. Apparently only software that runs only on Windows are "real" applications. :rolleyes:

[dMog]

if you use your computer to do the real stuff of life...work related and yes, especially if you have lot of documents to send to coworkers and the business world..then linux is NOT for you,..... and also want edit all your photos and videos with high end software and not half assed stuff that will not come close to meeting your standards then yes i agree with the five reasons...

[insanedown58]

Having used both, I prefer using Windows since I like to do things easier and faster. Reason #3 is right and wrong at the same time. I've been in a lot of Linux Communities and Arch had to be the scariest. I understand that Arch is for the advanced user who knows what he/she wants exactly how he/she wants it but why do they have the beginner's guide in their wiki? Some Arch users are total douchebags but a lot of 'em are nice.

As for Windows, its a lot easier to use and a lot of the good stuff work on it. Wine simply doesn't cut it especially with big apps sometimes.

I think the 3 major desktop platforms have "real" applications that they can be proud of. Windows has Office, Linux has great programming stuff and Mac has one of the best (if not the best) video editing programs the market could offer in my opinion.

[mike.mt]

Rock on Turk.....Great post!!! :thumbsup:

As we both know that in scenarios that require a decent gateway / firewall. With apps like Untangle etc. dear old Linux leads the way.. With easy to use GUI's, a guy with a base knowledge of IP/ Tables can achieve bang on results.......Without having to go through a geeky command line or having to learn different input for each Distro. :nono:

On the desktop side I'm with you 100%%%..... I'm sure Linux Lovers would disagree..

You brought a smile to my face & injected humor in my day mate.....

[irefay]

Simple and efficient where you need it - powerful and robust when you need it too. Windows that is. However, I would say W8 is turning Windows more into a phone/tablet platform than a workstation OS (I currently run W8.1, but Metro is skipped altogether).

Linux is great too, but there is too much of a learning curve - and no pay off of having access to the applications mentioned in the article. (MS Office, Adobe Suite, ect) There are tons of other smaller, less used apps that are only available on windows too. Conversely, there are not many apps that are only Linux only - or do not have a "just as good" equivalent on Windows OS.

[ande]

I can easily dispute every reason mentioned here.

This topic only proves lack of knowledge and ignorance of author.

[geeteam]

Turk, you shouldn't have posted this in the first place - You and I know perfectly well that _ Linux has great Advantage over Windows in all other means.

[jackieo]

BUT WAIT! LINUX Is made by woodland creatures in the forest and is filled with flowers and love! LOL :lol: :lol: :lol:

[maddoxx]

ReactOS.

[MidnightDistortions]

The fact that Microsoft/W8 doesn't deserve support is a good reason why i prefer to switch to Linux. If Windows 9 is better i will only get it if i absolutely need to, i got better things to spend my money on than a company that thinks they have the ability to shove new UI's down people's throats. I don't and have no use for W8. I'd rather go back to W95 than use W8, that's how much i hate W8. :thumbsdown:

[demoneye]

PPL , lets face it , LinuX is good for just knowing other playground than the safe and great windows has to offer.

linux is for special tasks , and it cant use at home user , like post says no SERIOUS apps for it (and so games!)

what linux does at the end of the day , is taking your pc and convert it to something like smartPhone , where u can browse the new , listen to music , watching movies and send email ... and run small apps :D.... NO games NO heavy software (autocad , adobe software , qbase etc) so :wtf:

Edited January 31, 2014 by demoneye

[calguyhunk]

Why this is news I have no idea. There's nothing newsworthy in this article, just one person's opinionated rant about how he's too stupid to do anything without Windows. Apparently only software that runs only on Windows are "real" applications. :rolleyes:

I can easily dispute every reason mentioned here.

This topic only proves lack of knowledge and ignorance of author.

I stopped reading the 'article' - if you can call it that - once his rant included servers. The rant about Linux on desktops was bad enough, but when somebody *actually* tries to promote Windows server over RHEL/CentOS/SUSE/Debian, I think we all know who's lining that idiot's pockets. :mad2:

Better to just ignore such pricks. ;)

[demoneye]

you got a point mate , i also was shocked he said linux server sux and fail him and he switch back to window server ?? wtf !

[DKA]

This is not even a "article"...

[calguyhunk]

you got a point mate , i also was shocked he said linux server sux and fail him and he switch back to window server ?? wtf !

This is not even a "article"...

Point 5 takes the cake: "Windows is just nicer". :lmao: I don't know whether to laugh or be flabbergasted. I've heard more knowledgeable arguments from middle-schoolers. :wtf:

Make no mistake, I'm posting this from the Windows installation on my PC (I triple boot with W7, 8.1 and Ubuntu 12.10), but when somebody says you should have Windows because it's "nicer", she better be a really hot, clueless supermodel, in which case her 'opinion' will be respected. :tehe:

Else, if you're a male tech blogger, GTFO my internetz. :mad2: No self respecting tech journo should be so clueless and/or so blatantly biased against FOSS, including, but not limited to Linux based Server/Desktop distros, as this blatant Redmond stooge. :angry:

Edited February 2, 2014 by calguyhunk

[nasernori]

I'm mainly a windows user and i use linux for repair/maintenance. i don't find linux any harder than windows.
what i like about linux is that it's evolving a lot faster than windows in many ways and different directions
and you have so many options (although half-assed or with less capabilities). the problem of linux is the
funding which is nowhere near windows and M$ with all that funding and developers working day and night

on windows 8.x and still got it wrong. i mean they could have made two flavors of windows one for
mobile/touch and one for desktop. but they did a half-a$$ed job in windows 8.x i don't know about others
but the transition between the desktop and metro just makes me nutz!

Edited February 1, 2014 by nasernori

[SnakeMasteR]

Jokes & Funny Stuff, i'm in. :P

[x3r0]

This should be moved into Opinion News :P

Anyway, most web servers in the world are running in Linux, that the facts - and now Android, OS based also on Linux, is taking over Windows position, slowly but surely. The only reasons why Windows still alive is, it is historical (LOL), office capability, has good support from devices manufactures (a.k.a. drivers) and gaming support.

[mosaji]

For an average user like me, i find linux difficult to navigate

Moreover, microsoft office and endnote does not run on linux and this makes me difficult to shift

[demoneye]

For an average user like me, i find linux difficult to navigate

Moreover, microsoft office and endnote does not run on linux and this makes me difficult to shift

i agree with you on that , to go deeper in that , i suggest to linux fun to open the windows (hehe) and realize that the days of "terminal" in order to obtain action is long over !!!! we love GUI we will use ONLY gui !!..... imagine you need to run terminal command on smartphone ... who will use them ??? NOONE

[NOP-X4]

This topic only proves lack of knowledge and ignorance of author.

Bold and Red: :P

This topic only proves lack of knowledge and ignorance of author. :yes:

Edited February 1, 2014 by NOP-X4

[badrobot]

This person lacks common sense. Not everyone uses photoshop or whatever windows program he uses to compliment his narrow mind. One primary use of computer that has true to life relevance is the convenience of online transactions and banking. And that is where Linux outperforms windows OS in terms of online security. Other basic but important tasks such google searching, email and document processing is what most of us need.

MS office, a standard? Does it matter? You can open Libre office files with MS office right? Just because it is more popular does not necessarily mean it's a standard. Your level of intelligence is definitely below standard.

Desktop navigation is just a matter of getting used to it. It's like drinking beer for the very first time. Do it everyday and before you know it, you are an alcoholic.

Linux is not for technology challenged people like you. So yeah, use what you think is easier for you.

I use both but I don't have reasons to compare. Both OSes are unique in their own way. And it's FREE, so I don't see a reason to rant on something you are not getting charged for. If you don't like it, just uninstall it and quit being a baby.

Edited February 1, 2014 by badrobot

[House_maniac]

i agree with the author except about the server issue,anyways linux would have been great if they kills all those edition and started working as one big team!anyways linux mint is nice but many of our daily software don't work on linux! lets take for example i use idm i would love to use idm without having to use wine etc!