Ubuntu safer than Windows according to Dell

Discussion in 'all things UNIX' started by linuxforall, Jun 13, 2010.

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  1. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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  2. CogitoTesting

    CogitoTesting Registered Member

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  3. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Well, Dell are the security specialists of this world.
     
  4. NoIos

    NoIos Registered Member

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    I guess Dell has discovered that Microsoft treats better other manufacturers...so they had to hit back.
     
  5. snowdrift

    snowdrift Registered Member

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    Unfortunately, there are Windows apps that I need to run, otherwise I might use Ubuntu; it’s a solid OS, but doesn’t have the app base. I’m not going to use WINE, either. The facts of the matter is that an OS choice is made typically by the apps the owner needs to use. Furthermore, those who run Linux have a much higher knowledge of what computers do and how to protect one’s computer than your typical Windows or Mac user. The experience factor does come into play when you’re talking about security. How many average users are going to think about something as basic as a complex password, or not running as administrator? I’ll agree that *nix distros, BDS, Unix, etc., is more secure than Windows, but how much of that is due to user experience and following even the most basic of security procedures, procedures that the average Windows or Mac user may not know? Until that question can be quantified, we’ll have to wonder exactly how much that question factors into the “superiority” of Linux.
     
  6. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    There are 80 year old users of Ubuntu and Linux who are not what you call your average tech savvy persons, they don't get infected and it runs day in and out doing what they want it to do.

    Also with 10,000 apps in its repos, I am sure if one is willing, one can find majority of the replacement for Windows apps but then, its the attitude that matters here.

    You are repeating that obscurity line when the fact is to the contrary, Linux is secure by design and not by any other magic.
     
  7. Kerodo

    Kerodo Registered Member

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    Very true linuxforall.....
     
  8. lordbest

    lordbest Registered Member

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    Fact is I know 50 year olds who find Windows easier to understand than Linux. Why? Because they are used to it. To use Linux properly and smoothly, they would have to learn a lot of processes again. And in today's busy world, not many are willing or choose not to do so.

    Fact is, there are plenty of apps that Linux does not have that Windows does. Also, what about gaming and utilising your full hardware specs? Do you think there are many people out there who are willing to learn about WINE etc? Fact is, many people out there know how to install a game from a DVD. Most people out there don't know how to WINE.

    As for security, fact is, most people out there don't care about this. :p

    But I hear your pain.
     
  9. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    No pain here, just pittance. :)

    If gaming was all that PC was invented for, it would be a sad world indeed but yes, for now till Steam etc. is released, if games is all you need, Windows is it.

    Almost all apps from Windows have Linux equivalent, just needs dexterity and correct attitude to get one and learn. Sad part is that because its all free, the learn part doesn't come, OTOH, if it was paid, they would pay others to learn.

    As for most not caring about security, so very true and thats why a large industry thrives on it under Windows, some of them using nice good old scare tactics as well :D
     
  10. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    Thanks Kerodo, as one of the most experienced Linux distro hopper, you can well relate to this.
     
  11. lordbest

    lordbest Registered Member

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    No, only general apps are available. Obscure and specific apps like physics programs simply do not exist on Linux because not enough people use it!

    That's just the way it is :)
     
  12. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    So all those labs using Linux are just fools, every major universities across the globe run various modeling programs based on Linux. Exactly which physics program are you looking for btw. Also tell me, what does Joe Q. Public have the need for an obscure physics program anyways or is this just to add some bragging rights.

    Ever heard of PAW++, debian science-physics package?

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuScience/Physics

    Please take a look here and see if this is enough physics for you, I teach post grad math at the univ and for my needs, the math and science programs suffice well but I guess, they are really not that significant compared to others.
     
  13. lordbest

    lordbest Registered Member

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    Clearly you are very sensitive about Linux and it's good to see.

    The point is that most corporate facilities still use Windows and the point is that not all apps that are available in Windows are available in Linux. I used Physics as an example, but the ones I am missing are Pharmacological. I just thought people would understand Physics more than Pharmacology.

    Don't get me wrong, I agree that a lot of apps have Linux equivalents. But certainly not all. Ask BlueZannetti. Ask about 20 of my colleagues etc.

    Fact is, the gaming world is huge and many computer enthusiasts are also keen gamers.

    Sure, Linux can work for many people. What's new? If it was so straight forward, why is the market share for Linux so small and for Windows so big? And yes, life isn't fair. :p
     
  14. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    Ha ha ha now attack the market share factor. Clearly you are Windows fanboi but thats fine, if it works for you, by all means use it. The market share factor has been discussed to death so no point in going over tired lines. Why do I have to ask your colleagues or Blue about Linux apps and how are you so sure that your colleagues know it all about Linux apps anyways.

    The fact that M$ spends billions on marketing and forming a hardware nexus makes it a moot point to discuss why Linux's desktop share is not that big but in the same line, let me ask you? Why is Windows share in mission critical server so small, why do supercomps use Linux and not Windows? There is no feasibility in argument like this. Definitely life isn't fair for windows as it spends $430 million a year to counter Linux. This year MS set up a Win7 stall directly opposite to ever major Linux meet including the one in Tokyo. I really don't understand why MS is so concerned about something with such a small 1% minuscule share anyways. ;)
     
  15. lordbest

    lordbest Registered Member

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    No I enjoy Linux actually and wish that Linux could be more main-stream. I am just speaking for why objectively-minded people still use Windows. :)

    You appear to be a Linux fanboi though :p

    Trust me, Linux does not have all the apps that Windows has. Many many people have found this. This is why I referenced my colleagues and Blue. I was merely giving examples.

    Sorry for bringing up the market share. I couldn't help it :p
     
  16. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    Now this is another tired line, I enjoy Linux but it can't compete with Windows, this is classic Windows fanboi route. So those who use Linux are not objective minded, I guess Google, NYSE, all big labs, many famous scientists and major corps are all constricted fools really. Linux has all the apps you can desire and thats because its an open source collaborative effort and if you don't have one, just make one, no need to go out and buy $$$$$$ VS. If you can't make one, ask and many of the so called geeks, they would gladly make one for you.

    To defend Windows, please don't take the tired old I use Linux but Windows is superior with majority market share routine. If you use Windows, be proud of it and use it with impunity, no need to defend it. If at all you need to defend it, tell it to Dell who is responsible for this. Btw, Mac also has way less share than Windows so I guess its a poor offering as well. ;)

    Btw, speaking of science, find me anything close to qalculate for free in Win world or convertall or many more.

    If you do audio video editing, how do you find a real time kernel for Windows, please tell me.
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2010
  17. chronomatic

    chronomatic Registered Member

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    Besides AutoCAD and Photoshop (both of which have less powerful but very capable Linux alternatives) name some.

    You can utilize your full hardware specs with linux.
     
  18. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    Very true, actually Linux makes upgrading hardware a non-requisite.
     
  19. Eice

    Eice Registered Member

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    Office. OOo doesn't even come close - at least not for equations-heavy documents and monster spreadsheets. Doesn't work properly in Wine.

    A tabbed PDF reader, like Foxit.

    MATLAB, or at least Simulink.

    Something that supports MSN voice/video chat. I think I haven't tried Empathy for about a month now though, does it do that now?

    AutoHotkey. Is there a Linux equivalent? I'd really like to know.

    Opera. I know it's available for Linux as well, but damn it just looks so gorgeous with the Z1-Glass theme, which isn't supported in Linux.
     
  20. wat0114

    wat0114 Guest

    Absolutely agreed. Just try to "sell" OO to anyone who's versed in and routinely uses MS Office. Good luck.
     
  21. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    OO handles huge spreadsheets far better with its x64 structure, for equations nothing comes close to Latex. Adobe PDF reader is the best reader out there for Win and Lin and its in the repos.

    Scilab, Sage are excellent alternatives to Matlab.

    Skype works wonderfully in Linux for av chat, for video only there is aMSN and Gyachi, both handle MSN and Yahoo respectively and does it well. As for glass theme, thats Opera's headache and not Linux's.
     
  22. lordbest

    lordbest Registered Member

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    You keep trying to make it that I am attacking Linux users. The fact is that I use Linux more often than I use Windows. I feel sorry that you feel the need to defend people who use Linux. We don't need to be defended. :)

    And Windows is not superior in every department. Sure, PC gaming platforms support Windows better than Linux (when my mates get together, we use Windows to play games). But Linux is superior in many departments.

    That's interesting that you can fully use the full power of your hardware with Linux and PC games. I didn't realise that. Which games do you play?

    Anyway I've already made my point. People use Windows because some apps simply don't exist on Linux. Eice has mentioned a few, but I've got some specific Pharmacology programs that simply don't exist on Windows.

    Also I have already said that people use Windows because that is what they are used to. Some people can't be bothered learning another OS. Just like some people can't be bothered learning about Windows security. People have different priorities in life.

    Be proud that you use Linux. :) People like us don't need to be defended, nor do we need to think we are being criticised all the time. :p
     
  23. lordbest

    lordbest Registered Member

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    Far better for who? For every single person out there? And for what? For every purpose? Fact is, some people have different purposes for different programs and different needs. Some of these needs are not met with Linux.

    By the way, have you checked out Microsoft Office 2010? :)
     
  24. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    Use what you need, no need to evangelize or justify it. Thats all.
     
  25. linuxforall

    linuxforall Registered Member

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    Yes I have and it sucks with its ribbon, in same way, better for who. OO downloads are in millions and therefore its perfectly fine for those who are happy with it. Same goes for MS Office except one is free and the other is $$$$. Some needs are not met with Windows either, find me a real time kernel for my audio editing with Jack support in Win world.
     
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