Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Farewell to Tux on the desktop - for now As of today, I'm through using Linux at work for a while. I've really enjoyed banging around in Linux and thumbing my nose at the Microsoft world. But, I have to work with the front end of the web app we are developing, and unfortunately that means using IE. So be it. I thought I would at least share my observations. I've got two lists about my most recent Linux on the desktop experience: the good and the bad. The Good: Super-human control over my environment. ROOT, real process control, total control over services, etc. Multiiple virtual desktops that really work Network connectivity speed. Jon and I actually observed my Linux desktop beating the pants off his Windows desktop on the same download. Studly screensavers The Bad: Gnome/Bluecurve graphics performance. Probably due to X video driver, but still disappointing compared to Windows. Java GUI performance - getting there. Still not quite up to Windows snuff. Pace of commercial vendor releases. We use tools like Hyperion Essbase, Business Objects, etc. Linux versions may be in the works, but they are definitely not in a hurry to release them. I bid a fond farewell to Tux. However, he will remain in my dreams and perhaps one day our paths will cross on the desktop again. 10:04:28 PM    comment []

iPod and Volkswagen Beetle unite. Volkswagen has announced that it is pairing with Apple to provide 2003 New Beetle sedan buyers with a complimentary iPod, the world's top-selling digital music player, according to the press release... [MacMinute.com: Up-to-the-Minute Apple Mac News] I wish that VW had an offer like this when I bought my Passat six weeks ago! [Jon Israelson's Blog] It's finally happened. The formal marriage of Volkswagen and Apple. Now all that needs to happen is for Birkenstock to start offering a pair of sandals with a VW... 2:39:09 PM    comment []

Microsoft Office and Virtual PC. Microsoft to integrate Virtual PC with Office [MacRumors] EH? I guess it makes sense, though. Keep the users running Microsoft products, even on Mac hardware. 2:34:12 PM    comment []

Some folks are working on a replacement for CVS called Subversion. Sounds promising. Better performance, actual diffing of binary files, and WebDAV support. Nice. 8:53:29 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2004 Tom Pierce.