Apple's 'Switch' campaign was addressed to Window users. And indeed,
according to stats, many Windows users - aided by the iPod halo effect,
Apple's reduced hardware prices, and the Mac mini - switched to Mac
OS X.
But something unpredictable happened. Even before Windows users
started switching to Macs, Linux users were coming to OS X in
masses.
That wasn't in the plan, was it? The switch campaign was focused on
Windows users.
The numerous conversions from Linux to OS X are not publicised
in the way the corresponding Windows conversions are - maybe because
Linux was never the evil enemy. Maybe because Apple's main target is
Windows users.
What does OS X provide to attract Linux users? A full-blown Unix
operating system without the distributions wars, without the desktop
manager wars, with an interface universally acknowledged as the sexiest
ever (and not a rip-off of the Windows GUI).
Mac OS X shows that it's possible to have the best of both
worlds.
Linux: Where's the Innovation?
While Linux is an important operating system for a variety of
reasons, the simple truth is that it's a step or more behind in some
areas, even when compared to Windows:
- Plug and play support
- A universal interface
- Documentation
No one blames the open source community for focusing on the
underlying code and not on the documentation or innovative concepts. Or
for not being able to write drivers for every piece of hardware that
exists, especially given the unwillingness of many companies to
disclose specifications.
The fact remains that something is lacking with Linux, and GUI
applications that are a rip-off of Windows ones are not the most
exciting things in the world.
Commercial apps are not evil when they are well-crafted and
reasonably priced. This is especially true with innovative ideas and
implementations that have no counterpart in the open source world, such
as DEVONthink.
As long as you're focused on implementing features already found in
other operating systems instead of devising new ones, cool things like
Automator will never originate on Linux.
After all , even the most hardened hacker likes the fact that in
order to have Bluetooth connectivity, for example, he just has to press
a button. That in the next revision of the operating system he can
expect things like Spotlight and not "better support for the X graphic
card and the Y hardware protocol".
And what a relief to actually have strict standards!
PowerBooks Everywhere
Actually, if you attend hackers' conventions, you'll see more and
more are coming with their PowerBooks and OS X.
Sometimes, especially after the 20-something age mark, work has to
be done. Food, housing, and clothing are not open source; they cost
money. It's one of the facts of life, and when you use a computer as
a tool, you need everything to just work - not spend time on
configuring problems.
Yes, fiddling with the computer is a hobby for a lot of people, but
what Mac OS X is great at is providing you with the ability to work
simply as a user by day and play as a geek by night. This is greatly
appreciated by people who earn their living working on their computers,
geeks or not.
Some people in the Linux community adopt a defensive and foolish
approach - fan-boys who insist that "real men do it on a keyboard" and
users who think that because they use Linux, they're "hax0rs".
Particularly amusing was an article that appeared on a well known
and respected site where the author was reporting his experience with
OS X. He wrote, "for GUI things Mac is ok but for command line,
like when I want to scp, linux is better". Just how scp on Mac
OS X is different (let alone better) from the Linux one is a
mystery to me.
Luckily, most serious Linux users are well aware of the limitations
of their system's model.
Linux Is Amazing
Linux is one of the most astonishing accomplishments of the 90s, an
amazing showcase of collective programming. It's already vital for the
technological progress of developing countries, and everyone wants it
to gain more momentum and succeed (and maybe conquer the world of
OSes).
But Linux needs to be more polished around the edges. Before the
coming and maturing of Mac OS X, Linux had many excuses. "Yes,
it's less polished, but it doesn't have viruses (or is it virii?)."
Then OS X showed that the world that Unix doesn't have to be
frightening.
OS X has set the bar higher for Linux, and the latter struggles to
catch up. Still, a stronger Linux share can only be beneficial for all
of us, so let's hope that Linux keeps improving.
