On Thu, Dec 21, 2006 at 02:38:03AM -0800, Les wrote: > This will displace windows quite easily especially due to the hassels > of getting windows, the support costs, and the licensing fees and so > forth that cause windows to be one of the most hated OS's ever produced. Advocatus Diaboli time. I really don't think Fedora is a Windows- displacement option either at home or in business; and it's not any of the technical issues. Simply put, neither home nor business users can deal with a six-month replacement cycle that obsoletes their base software in a year or so. We're not just talking about "there's something newer"; we're talking about "you stop getting updates and patches." Fedora Legacy mitigated that; without legacy updates that at least offer the option of not having to do forced updates every year, I think you're optimistic to see Fedora as a Windows-killer. I had no problems with my last upgrade--but that was one laptop. Look at the problems reported on the list with every new release of Fedora--and imagine you're in IT, and have to support maybe 4-5 variants of workstations, not to mention servers (if you decide to try Fedora there); and not just one of each, but maybe dozens, hundreds, or even thousands. Or you're a home user, with one to several machines--but you're NOT a tech, just want the computer to balance the checkbook and browse the Internet, with one for your spouse and a kid's homework machine. Face it-- most such users get the OS with the computer, and throw out the computer and OS when it's time to change. Few home users who were stuck with Windows ME or Windows XP Home ever have upgraded (and they usually find-- especially the former--that the hardware can't hack the upgrade.) So if the OS isn't going to remain patched and stable for the 2-3 years or more these people keep their machine, it ain't gonna fly. So Fedora isn't the Linux Windows Killer. And maybe that's not bad. It is a place for the avant-garde to test the edge; problems are accepted as part of the process, and there is community support and individual efforts to resolve issues. $0.02, YMMV. -- Dave Ihnat President, DMINET Consulting, Inc. dihnat@xxxxxxxxxx
