Selling Linux to Windows Users

[H.S.]

Knapp wrote:

> 
> Anyway this is getting off topic. I just thought that it was
> interesting to see where Linux is better and it would be interesting
> to see where MS is better.

I have one point in which I believe linux is far better than Windows for
an average Joe. And that is remote administration. Let me explain.

I find it much easier to help my friends and family remotely when they
have a problem on their Linux machines. Some have Windows and in those
cases I use Cygwin+SSH+vncserver for security. Internet connections
being flaky, screen is one great application. Comparing Linux and
Windows, I find tweaking Linux remotely much more easier (shell is used
hence low bandwidth, never had to worry about updates and system
changes, sudo is an exceptional feature while in Windows the user needs
to be logged in as an admin). Remotely administering a windows box is a
headache if I have been teaching all the users to be logged in as
restricted users.

Now I think that all the remotely administration features and multiple
users are also possible in Windows (correct me if I am wrong), but these
cost money! In Linux, these are included in the basic philosophy.

Having said that, Windows has its place though. For example, MS has done
to ubiquity of computers that no other company did. Their consistent
interface has been a great advantage in its popularity and attraction to
novice users. And, ironically, MS seems to be a big reason we have nice
GUI interfaces in Linux these days! In early days (90's), command line
ruled and whoever was not comfortable with it was commanded to RTFM and
considered an outcast. Ah, those days of self-styled Linux gurus who
matured in age but not in social faculties! Some still exist, btw.

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