Tech Vues

UNIX vs Windows vs Linux OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-17T10:41:00.001-08:00

Ok so one of the biggest tech debates I get into is which OS is better Unix, Linux or Windows. Well, my position on the argument is that the OS doesnt matter its what you use it for. Its like hunting for example, I wont go hunting bear with a .22 pistol. Its just not gonna work. Zemlin, the CEO of the Linux foundation proclaimed that they won, that they have displaced Microsoft in everything from Mobile phones to the server to high performance computing. But, they havent won the desktop. Which I think is a peculiar statement. Microsoft on HPC and Server side never really had huge numbers, they shared with UNIX all the way around. If anything Linux has displaced UNIX but have they really tapped into Microsofts bread and butter? No. As for the Mobile space Apple currently rules the mobile and tablet market. Both in sheer numbers of netbooks, yes I consider the MacBook Air a netbook, and the iPad, all the way to the iPhone. Apple rules in every category. So when he says bashing Microsoft is like kicking a puppy I think his statement is like the puppy kicking the puppy its kind of retarded to say the least a nd proclaiming victory in a space where Microsoft never really had any strong lead is apples and oranges.

Now dont get me wrong, I love Linux. I market my own distribution, I use it daily its one of the best Operating systems for what I do, but on the desktop it needs major work. Thats where myself and several others come into play but even then, drivers are an issue and the applications that people find interesting and want to use are non existant and the KDE guys are the only ones that really pay attention to integration and actually make Applications that are as elegant as the Mac and Windows counterparts. But, KDE is not as popular as say Gnome 3, which I think is horrible on a mouse driven system. Can Linux displace Windows on the desktop, its possible but I doubt we will see any significant penetration for the forseeable future.

Now for the fallen king, UNIX. UNIX used to be one of the most popular OS's for HPC, for servers and it even had a small, acknowledged sliver of the desktop. Considering Solaris isnt dead, and AIX is the only defacto standard OS for the PowerPC which is huge in the HPC market. The one thing about UNIX is that its never had a clearly defined roadmap and considering most of the Unix companys that produced distributions of UNIX always thought it was good enough and didnt bother innovating it was only a matter of time before displacement was going to take place but now with Solaris making a comeback, the PowerPC market pretty much abandoned by every distribution of Linux. Dont count UNIX out for the count.

Microsoft Kin and this week in tech

2010-04-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

Some interesting things have happened this week. For all of you being procrastinating like me, do your taxes. Dont join me tomorrow night.

Well, now that thats outta the way. QNX get acquired by RIM, Research in Motion. QNX is a specialty shop in Real time OS's, so it will be interesting to see what RIM has planned for QNX. Hopefully they dont kill it, but we never know. QNX used to release a desktop OS that was probably the best I had ever seen in terms of usability. Either way, it'll be interesting to see how things turn out.

Microsoft released its two Kin phones. These are Microsofts replacements for the Sidekick produced by Danger Inc. that Microsoft acquired. From the releases and everything else I have seen, I actually like the design of these phones. They are targetted at people who want to the social experience but dont want the overkill of the smartphone. Think of these as a cut down release of Windows Phone. They released two models, the KIN 1 which reminds me of a Motorola Phone that AT&T carries and the KIN 2 which I think will be the most popular of the two. I can see the reason for the KIN 1, they wanted a budget phone that pretty much anyone could afford, like those kids who bag groceries or power wash the local convenience store parking lot. Either way, I think these phones will be popular.

The most interesting is this piece that OSNews did where they interviewed this lady who works in Canada for an energy company. It was a fantastic interview and reflects the mindset of most people who work corporate IT. Then the inevitable hit. While yes, this lady is attractive I was thinking before I get to the comments "Please god, dont let the first comment poster reflect on her looks and make a comment on what a hottie this lady is." Sure enough, the very first poster commented on her looks arrrrgh. C'mon now, lets be professional. I dont care if the chick looks like Megan Fox or Taylor Swift lets focus on her mind and what she was saying about corporate IT rather than her looks.

Smartphones

2010-03-15T01:23:00.000-07:00

So smartphones, Blackberry, iPhone, Android Phones and the numerous other models out there, which one is the best? Smartphones are increasingly getting difficult to decide on. I personally like Blackberry's. One that I have grown to like is the Motorola i465 Clutch. The more I use it I like it. It has some good features, the UI needs some love it looks clunky. I absolutely hate the iPhone. I think its a beautiful device but when it comes to support AT&T and Apple cant seem to figure out who is going to fix the damn thing. The problem I have with the iPhone as well is I dislike how Apple controls everything from device defaults to content and application delivery. The fact that if I want my own personal app, I have to submit it to the App store before I can download it to my own non-emulated device is kind of ridiculous. I do have an iPod Touch and I love that damn thing, I also have an iPad coming my way. The Android I am biased on, I worked on Android so that would be asking me if I think my kid is ugly. I hated the old Palms but I think the Pre is OK.

So of all the phones out there which one am I looking forward too? Which one do I think is going to make the most impact? Windows Phone 7. It definately looks like Microsoft got its act together.

So what should you look for when you buy a smartphone? Its all in personal choice. I have four criteria. It has to have a qwerty keyboard. So I would rather, eat a handful of tacks, wash them down with gasoline and repeatedly get struck in the face by a rattlesnake before I use a T-9 layout. Its got to have a Calendar app, camera and a web browser. I can hear the masses now, what about an e-mail client? I use Gmail so the client while nice, not necessary. So what about music? I have an iPod touch. What about document editing? I have a netbook. Dont get me wrong, I have tried all these features with a Blackberry. While listening to music with a berry the damn thing would result in a battery pull because the speaker kept mucking up. I dare you to try editing a document with the blackberry then you walk around all day with your fingers in ninja claw position because its locked that way. the most important thing you want to remember. Dont buy it because it looks cool. Thats the worst buy you can make, buy it because it provides you with the features that you need and want.

Ubuntus new design policy

2010-03-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

The Ubuntu team has designed new layouts, new artwork and refreshed the branding. While some like the changes, others hated it. I for one like it and we decided to use something similar in PC/OS 11. Refreshing default themes and branding is necessary. Do you wear the same clothes day after day? Do you have the same hairstyle you had 20 years ago? No you dont and there is a reason for that and the Ubuntu team decided it was time to add a new paintjob.

Now with the default windowing themes the placement of the buttons seems to be a big deal. With the new default window borders I see where they are coming from. How many times in Windows did you want to maximize the window but accidentily closed it by accident? The Amiga group did something different they added the close button to the left side of titlebar and the maximize and close to the right side. By putting the close button on the right side and the window controls on the left the users have more control. While it doesnt seem that way, as Ubuntu changes it and users get used to it I think people will see it is actually better.