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Common Linux myths dispelled
Fanboy FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt), it comes from all sides of the computing landscape. The three most well known operating systems, Microsoft Windows, Apple's OSX and the open source Linux have been called everything and accused of almost anything you can imagine in one press outlet or another. Linux is lousy for games, Windows is a memory hog, OSX will force you get a Liberal Arts degree and recycle... but, I digress. We're here to dispel the myths, not spread them.
Linux is great, too bad there aren't any good applications
-or-
On Linux, you can't open files other people send
False. Linux applications are plentiful, well written and widely compatible with their OSX or Windows counterparts. Microsoft Office files are easily opened by Open Office. Photoshop's functionality can be found in The Gimp, or better yet with GimpShop. Audio editing, maintaining your mp3 library, file management, databases, instant messaging, personal information management, etc... They're all available and, in the vast majority of situations they're free.
Linux won't allow you to watch your favorite video files.
False. Out of the box many Linux distributions have so-so support for common video formats but, did you know there are open source players which can handle almost anything you can throw at them? It's true. Due to patent restrictions you may have to install them yourself but, fear not, there are great forums for popular Linux distributions and, installing an application under Linux is usually a snap. For Ubuntu or Debian users, check out Automatix, which will help you install a whole host of useful but patent restricted applictions and add-ons which make Linux a force to reckon with.
Linux doesn't have a modern 3d desktop like Vista's Aero or OSX's Aqua
False. Beryl has emerged as a strong contender for taking the Linux desktop to the next generation. Check out this video to see exactly how cool your Linux desktop can be.
But, if I use Linux I won't be able to run Word/Photoshop/Internet Explorer/____.
False. Crossover Linux (formerly Crossover Office) allows even the most neophyte of users to install their favorite Windows Applications and run them at full speed, right in Linux. That one application you need for work, school or, just as a matter of preference can be easily installed and working in minutes. For less than half the cost of a Windows license, you can have Corssover Office with a year of helpful support. Just check out the list of applications Crossover fully supports.
I can't play Half Life 2, Prey, or World of Warcraft on Linux
False. Recent updates to Crossover Linux allow you to play your favorite Steam engine based games on Linux. So, fire up HL2, WoW or Prey and try to forget that you ever used Windows.
Comments
52
Subscribe to commentsOktyabrFeb 1st 2007 1:35PM
Limited CMYK support exists for Gimp as a plugin and a version of Gimp called FilmGimp (now actually known as CinePaint) has CMYK support as does Krita from the Koffice suit but most of the linux users that actually need it know that Scribus probably has the best color separation in the linux desktop publishing world.
If you want to say that Gimp does not 100% match Photoshop you would be correct but implying there is no CMYK support in linux (for FREE even!) is simply FUD. Try http://wikipixel.com/index.php/GIMP for the facts on what Gimp doesn't have compared to Photoshop.
The majority of Photoshop users are NOT graphics professionals and rarely use a fraction of the capabilities that Photoshop (or any other high end bit pusher) have to offer. That means that they either risk their morals and legal standing by using a pirated version of Photoshop or they spend a ton of money for a piece of software they don't really need. For the majority of desktop users Gimp is a perfectly good replacement and in many ways (if you take the time to adjust to the interface) superior. I actually prefer the smaller, scalable, modular GIMP's interface to PS and right-click menus *anywhere* that you can tear off so the menus you use the most are always available (yes, even in Windows!) are awesome once you get used to using them. So yes, in terms of pure functionality Gimp is well worth using for the majority of potential users. Features? http://www.gimp.org/about/introduction.html
Another good Gimp vs Photoshop article: http://grimthing.com/archives/2007/01/11/Gimp_vs_Photoshop/
The *only* thing I still use Windows for is gaming.
glaciaFeb 1st 2007 5:03PM
I like Linux for what it does well, I like windows for what it does well and I can run them both inexpensively on any off the shelf machine. And I don't have to wake up in the morning and decide what kind of fanboy I am and I don't have to trash one just to make myself feel secure about my choice.
AoEFeb 1st 2007 5:31PM
@Oktyabr. Sorry, I guess instead of saying it has no CMYK support, I should have stated that it has experimental CMYK support; but the fact that it's experimental is a deal-breaker. Do you think it would be a wise idea to bet the quality of a $10,000 or more print job on fairly recently added experimental support in an open-source app? No, I don't think it's a good idea either; which brings me to my next point. Yes, only a fraction of photoshop's users are pro; can the same be said of PAYING users though? I don't have hard data, but I'm guessing the answer is no. So is this guide for pirates? If so, yeah, gimp is great for making forum sigs. woo. Or is it for legitimate users? If so, gimp is crap, it doesn't do what we (that is to say, those of us that actually own photoshop and make a living using it) need from a graphics app, even some of the most basic functionality one would expect is missing. Hell, even the article you point to mentions that gimp is garbage for the pro user.
Andrew FongFeb 1st 2007 6:12PM
I have both Ubuntu and XP installed dual-boot on this machine, and I find myself still using Windows XP for quite a bit. The idea that Linux is usable by the average person isn't quite accurate. People can be retrained to use Ubuntu, but most people don't WANT to.
If, at any time, you require users to learn how to use a terminal or go into root in order to do something, it's far too complicated. Considering that most people don't even know what a tarball is, if you have to download third party apps to enable first party functionality, it's already too complicated. Yes, Windows often requires third-party downloads, but they're all known quantities. If I have to do constant Google searches to find an equivalent for something I've trusted for years, it's a pain in the ass.
Sure, you have a similar amount of pain-in-the-ass in Windows, but it's pain-in-the-ass that people are used to. If you want people to start using Linux, start with kids (Yay OLPC!).
OktyabrFeb 1st 2007 7:33PM
@AoE Thanks for the clarifications. At least you try ;)
The article I linked didn't exactly say "gimp for pro use is garbage". In fact Industrial Light and Magic uses a hybrid Gimp (Cinepaint) for major motion picture work so I guess I would say that's "pro", wouldn't you? I'm sure Photoshop is just as handy at animation and video work... isn't it?
I would agree with you that for now and the immediate future Photoshop is better than gimp for professional *printing* and pre-press but like I stated, those in the "know" wouldn't use Gimp for that sort of work anyway. That's sort of like using a standard screwdriver when you really need a phillips! Printers and pre-press using open source software are much better off making use of apps like Krita, which I mentioned, and/or Scribus which I also mentioned. Here is a short list of some of the success stories on a more "pro" level:
http://wiki.scribus.net/index.php/Success_stories
All in all Krita, Gimp, Scribus, Inkscape, Blender and others are all components in my collection of tools that give me an incredible range of function at zero monetary cost, which is one of the reasons I favored them over yet-another-upgrade for PS. Another reason is that I like the Gimp's UI better.
Gimp itself is not "as good as" Photoshop on a few levels, at least the current version, but gegl ( http://www.gegl.org/ ) as the heart of a future version should narrow that gap considerably, as far pro use in the printing world goes. As for home use? Read that article again. In fact away from the pro-press realm Gimp surpasses Photoshop in my opinion in many areas not the least of which would have to be it's insanely flexible support for several scripting languages (there are even gimp powered apps you can use on the web! Try that with PS)
Maybe not apples vs oranges but rather perhaps Red Delicious apples vs. the decidedly *not red* Granny Smith. Just because they aren't red doesn't mean they aren't good apples.
alex danteFeb 2nd 2007 1:36AM
It's also amazing what you can do these days with an XP box and an Ubuntu box in the house, like running Reason remotely via RDP and StreamLess Windows:
http://mundane-divine.blogspot.com/2007/02/running-reason-30-under-edgy-eft.html
Apparently works a treat with VMs too.
Sometimes the limitation isn't the operating system, it's in you.
JonnoCFeb 2nd 2007 7:41AM
For all those people that say, "you can't do gaming on linux"..he.he..
I bet most of you already are gaming on linux!!
Don't forget the Sony PlayStation3 is running Linux.
So in the near future, who knows, porting a playstation game to a linux Desktop distro will be easier for the game developers to do than to Windows.
And therefore we may see more "blockbuster" games appearing for linux.
NicklasFeb 2nd 2007 10:47AM
Sad to say but Beryl/XGL still have a long way to go before it can be moved out of the lab. I tried to install in on a box running a common Radeon 9200 card and during just a nights experimentation Linux crashed more times than Windows XP has during the _last_five_ years. It free - but why even try it when a XP OEM-license cost less then three hours work will bring in and it will take much more time than that to make Linux usable.
SteveFeb 2nd 2007 12:30PM
I would recommend Virtual PC for anyone who doesn't want to risk breaking their Windows partition. It gives you a good taste without diving in head first.
Brian MFeb 2nd 2007 8:41PM
How bout the myth that Linux is more secure? that also needs to be dispelled!
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/facts/topics/security.mspx
All sorts of idiots configure operating systems regardless of the technology, and if you do not patch linux you are just as vulnerable to attack as if you do not patch windows. If you configure it like an idiot (look at the stats for web defacements and you will more linux than windows being defaced) then you will be compromised. I guess what I am saying if you are a lazy administrator and do not do your due dilligence then you can be sucessfully attacked, if you do then it does not matter what OS you are running. Windows Admins are notoriously lazy, and that lack of due dilligence has earned the OS a unjust reputation. as a former pen tester it really did not matter what OS what mattered was the configuration and management, Windows gives you the management tools to manage across an enterprise where Linux is more difficult to manage. Lets not even bring up Apple...
Buddha-gFeb 3rd 2007 11:33AM
Oh, pleeeese! I've tried very hard many times to use Linux as a day-to-day productivity machine and failed and gave up on it each and every time. Yeah, maybe I'm stupid. I REALLY want to like Linux. Honest!! I DO! Oh, sure, the applications are out there, if you want to spend hours searching for them (and any related libraries oddly not included), downloading them, loading them with command line statements that require more typing than a thesis (or using GUI's that don't seem to load all the pieces - WTF??), rebuilding the kernel and so on. Sheesh, I have work to do! I don't TIME for all that!! I have yet to use a Linux distro that made anything really "easy". After hours fighting it, thinking, "Okay, once I get this working I'll be good!" only to find something ELSE that doesn't work. If it's still this hard, this cryptic, this arcane, it isn't worth the trouble and certainly not something Granny can use. Hay, just try loading video codecs sometime and tell me I'm wrong here. Please. Tell me!
Grant RobertsonFeb 3rd 2007 11:39AM
You're wrong.. Installing Ubuntu and then Automatix is everything you need to have video codecs, openoffice, gimp, etc.. It's actually really easy.
As far as all that command line tinkering you speak of, I don't buy it. Maybe 5 years ago, sure.. I've been using linux since 1994 and, I certainly remember frustrating package management and compiling crap from scratch but, I've not done any of that in a long time.