So far I haven't seen one single intelligent and objective response about
this issue (like, ok, lets improve the SMP abilities of the kernel) neither
here nor in slashdot and such.
However, I did read an excellent report written by Paul Thurrott (who also
reported about the original test) which more-or-less summarizes what I
personally think about the possible future of Linux. Guys, the choice is up
to you. You can delete this mail and move on, read it and flame me back, or
read it and think about it for a while. The original column follows:
Of Linux advocacy in the real world
For those of you who are unfamiliar with such a thing, there are people that
feel really strongly about their computers. Since you're reading this, I
assume you feel pretty strongly about Windows. I do. However, I try not to
see the world through Redmond-colored glasses. That's why WinInfo is
critical of Microsoft when they deserve it. However, there are always going
to be those who religiously back their favorite system, regardless of the
logic. Back over the years, we've seen this with the Amiga, OS/2, and the
Macintosh (heck, there's probably still a guy out there somewhere who thinks
his 68K-based Amiga 500 with 2 floppies can out-multitask a today's
Pentiums. You go boy!). And for those who are interested in this sort of
mindless cheerleading, the sites and newsletters are out there too. I won't
name names. They're pretty obvious.
Today, however, the Linux community wears that championship belt of crazed
advocacy.
And no, I don't mean all of the Linux community. Many people on WinInfo are
Linux fans and most of them are very reasoned in their defense of Linux. I'm
not criticizing Linux, so put that poison email down for a second. In case
you're missing the point here, I've actually been using Linux since the fall
of 1995. I think it's important to understand that this OS is, indeed, a
real threat to Windows, both on the server and the desktop. It really is
that good, and its only getting better. So there, now you know how *I* feel
about Linux.
But that's not important, or at least it shouldn't be. Linux has now
progressed/regressed to the point where a member of the media will get
attacked--and this is guaranteed--any time they publish an article that is
critical of Linux. Even one that is deserved.
So yesterday's story, "OS survey: Linux not ready, tests show NT outperforms
it," generated the expected onslaught of email. Two important points that
came out of this:
· Microsoft sponsored the Mindcraft study, presumably because they
did their own tests and figured (correctly) that publishing them would
generate a collective yawn from the computer industry.
· This was the first test that shown NT positively killing Linux
head-to-head. Many Linux vs. NT tests have been conducted, most showing
Linux beating NT at least some of the time.
So what do we conclude from this information? The sarcastic among us simply
laugh off the Microsoft sponsorship and move on. In fact that's how
Slashdot.org handled the story: Rather than report on this study, they
simply mentioned the results, asked whether anyone had any criticism of the
test, and let the floodgates open. Within hours, hundreds of pro-Linux users
had flung their opinions onto the Web site conference boards. But who cares
about opinion? What really happened here?
The fact that Microsoft sponsored such a test doesn't invalidate it. I mean,
the test did happen, right? Those hardware setups are pretty standard,
aren't they?
As for the whole Linux vs. NT thing, I'd also mention that it's possible to
create charts and graphs that show anything you'd like. Previous tests, like
this one, should fall under the same scrutiny. No one seemed surprised when
Linux beat NT earlier, but why? Isn't that a little surprising? I think it
is.
Perhaps most importantly, I was simply reporting on this phenomenon, not
endorsing it. If you take the time to actually read what it is that I say
about this situation ("the sudden rise of Linux as a media darling" and "a
variety of reports [now suggest] that Linux may not be all that it's cracked
up to be", etc.) you'll see that I was simply struck by the fact that these
three critical reports of Linux--from D. H. Brown Associates, Fortune, and
Mindcraft--all appeared within a few days of each other. In case you're
wondering, I had the D. H. Brown and Fortune reports sitting on the
sidelines for a few days and wasn't sure they were worth it until the
Mindcraft report came in. Then it all clicked: This is the inevitable
backlash that accompanies anything successful. Now that's a story.
A few weeks ago, I reported on Bill Gates' comments about Linux. I didn't
add my own opinion to this story, but simply reported what he said. I
received over 100 emails from Linux fans and a story in Slashdot as thanks
(and that mention generated about 1000 responses on their Web site, some of
which were unnecessary personal attacks on me, go figure). Folks, I'm
reporting the news here, not inventing it. I'm just asking for the standard
"don't shoot the messenger" qualification here.
The Linux community is in a dangerous spot right now. A few years ago, rabid
"Team OS/2" members were almost single-handedly responsible for ruining the
reputation of their favorite OS, as IBM did everything it could to
"unmarket" the product. And the Macintosh community, with its Mac Marines
and "Rumors" Web sites, knows the perils of fanatical advocacy all too well.
Hopefully, the Linux community will realize the problems with this approach
and just fight the good fight: They've got a great OS going for them. I only
hope its more fanatical users don't screw it up for everyone.
If you wrote in about the Linux article, consider this your response. There
is no way I can get to all of the email I received about this and get any
work done, I'm sorry.
--Paul
-------------------------
Aviram Jenik
"Addicted to Chaos"
-------------------------
Today's quote:
Conservative, n: a statesman who is enamoured of existing evils, as
distinguished from a Liberal who wishes to replace them with others.
- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary" 1911
