After spending most of my professional career taking care of Windows-biased systems (don’t get me wrong, Windows has given me a good life financially and technically), but in the last part of my time before heading out, I finally get to see the introduction of mass UNIX — in the form of Linux distros — desktops to the once impregnable fortress of Windows.
Windows has many strengths as well a many weaknesses, but with its overwhelming popularity it was the system of choice in which to build and run a successful 20+ year consulting/training business. However, the progress of Linux distros with the likes of Ubuntu 9.10, freeBSD, openSUSE, etc into very usable desktop environments that do not require, remember these “the UNIX install parties,” such hand holding, give my next few years some very “coming home” type feelings.
I have several contracts where I am going to introduce a small set of Linux-biased desktops to clients that are fed-up with the Redmond mindset of control, proprietary bent, and endless patches — not unlike the Macintosh world. Linux can free users from both those tyrannies.
Frequently as the experience pile up, I will come back and post the more interesting stories as my clients walk with me into this new, but not new, experiences of sans-Windows.
Back later on.
Nanouk
