[ubuntu-uk] Are we missing the point with an OS ?

[bodsda at googlemail.com]

I somewhat disagree. The OS stability and configurability is very important to me. As are the applications; I need to know that if something doesn't work properly or has a feature missing that I need, I can download the source and modify it.

The problem for me is not specifically with the OS but with the applications. Windows and Mac (and iOS) attract many non-commercial apps varying in quality and many high quality commercial apps. Unfortunately because the large majority of these are closed source, if they don't provide what you need, the only option is to look for other free/paid software, there is no 'file a bug or write the function yourself' type approach available. For example, I couldn't file a bug/feature request with microsoft to allow me to have custom deck pictures in solitaire, my only option is to look for another solitaire program that provides this feature. Whereas, if I wanted to do this with an open source platform I could fairly painlessly edit the source to provide this feature and then file the patch for inclusion if the developers wish.

So my point is, its not so much the OS but the mentality and licenses of the apps the developers create for the chosen OS. A closed source OS 'generally' lures closed source apps, whereas an open source OS lures open source apps.

Bodsda 
------Original Message------
From: John Davis
Sender: ubuntu-uk-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
To: Ubuntu-Uk
ReplyTo: Ubuntu-Uk
Subject: [ubuntu-uk] Are we missing the point with an OS ?
Sent: 3 Dec 2011 17:33


I am an experienced Linux/Ubuntu user, I went to night school to learn it.
I use Ubuntu and Windows 7 on a daily basis and think that the OS is 
just somewhere to store the programmes I need to work with.

  In Windows, it is the Apps that have to perform properly, like 
Office,Photoshop, email  etc.

It seems that with Ubuntu et al, effort is put into the OS but it does 
not seem the same with the applications,  there developers seem to be 
left to their own devices. Without applications,  the OS is useless.

I think this is why cloud computing is becoming more popular,

Or am I missing the point,

John Davis

-- 
ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device