[ILUG] Naive ADSL/WiFi questions (long (sorry!))?

[John Madden]

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On (22/06/07 11:02), Ian O'Connell said:
> >> Despite the extreme unpopularity of Tim's view, for the average
> >> scenario he's quite correct, and in all my systems which came
> >> pre-installed with windows that partition is re-sized down and left
> >> alone.
> >
> >There are at least a few list members who have no use for windows and
> >use some flavour of Unix. Not out of zealotry, but because of
> >preference, habit, employment and other such sensible reasons.
> 
> A use for windows is irrelevent. if the machine came with windows
> there is no sensible reason to just delete it unless you've several
> machines to hand.
> 
So, what do the engineers do when they go to do an install in a
completely non-Windows house or business? Eg., if they were to come to
my house to install something, they'd have a choice of Mac OSX, Ubuntu
or Debian (deliberately omitting my partner's Vista laptop here for
illustrative purposes).

> >> Whether its right or not is irrelevant, 99% of the worlds pc
> >> computers are running windows, when it comes to on site technicians
> >> or dealing with phone support regarding hardware faults its only
> >> sensible if the machine came with windows then keep it about and
> >> don't go causing agro that benefits no one......
> >
> >So what are you suggesting exactly?
> >
> >That all non-windows users must keep a windows partition around?
> 
> on one of their machines to hand yes, i don't see why not. you've
> already paid for it in the purchase.
> 
This is utter bullsh*t, and is the reason so many hardware manufacturers
have encumbered us (us == those of us with _no_ requirement or wish to
have Windows) with the extra cost of a Windows licence on top of the
hardware.

> If an installer comes onsite and wants to configure a windows machine
> to use service or do x y z, and wants windows, i'll let him off
> configure and get the windows working. Thats fine, it'll test the
> networking aspect by doing it. I can come back later with no hassle
> and port any settings to linux and go back to not using windows. I
> don't need for him to leave early cause he doesn't know what he's
> doing to just discover that there is some problem out of my control
> but he's now gone since he couldn't test it.....
> 
If he wants to configure it, he can leave the settings with me and I'll
configure my own choice of OS if he can't. If he wants to test it, then
he should have the relevant equipment necessary to test it with him, and
not be dependant on me for it.

> >The desire that it continue to remain possible to have a choice in
> >what OS to run is not zealotry.
> 
> No but you seem to be suggesting one should limit ones choices not
> increase them. Having windows and linux does not limit your choices...
> Tim can refresh me here its a year since i finished but 1 + 1 = 2
> right which is > 1?
> 
Nobody is saying someone should limit their choices, but those of us who
choose not to keep Windows around, or who don't have it to keep around
in the first place, should not be required to have it to configure or
use a particular service. And if said service cannot be done with your
choice of OS, then vote with your wallet and look elsewhere for a
similar service that can.

> >Your view however is a sort of awful, false pragmatism. One which
> >would eventually lead to a situation that only zealots could agree is
> >desireable: a monoculture. Ironic.
> 
> Huh what now? a monoculture? not deleting something you paid for
> incase you need it some day is a form of being a zealot?
> 
I think what he means here is that you'll enforce the Windows
monoculture that most businesses focus on. Your choice of OS is your own
obviously, but you shouldn't be forced into having to keep one around
just to keep service providers happy.

- -- 
John Madden -- john at jmadden.eu
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