3 ms·
> What confuses me is why anyone would switch from Linux to Windows if they do anything where Linux had the upper hand? Makes as much sense as switching to OS
by Niten 15y ago
> What confuses me is why anyone would switch from Linux to Windows if they do anything where Linux had the upper hand?
Makes as much sense as switching to OS X. The Mac OS is not Linux.
If you're developing for Linux, or using something like GHC where the OS X version is a least-favorite stepchild, or if you need package management as capable as APT or the FreeBSD Ports Collection – then if you aren't running Linux as your desktop OS, you're most likely running it in a VM, regardless of whether your host OS is OS X or Windows. In fact the author explicitly says he's doing as much.
So "somewhat but not quite like Linux" isn't something the author would strictly need to look for in his host OS. Intead he can take other factors into account, such as reliability, performance, available applications, and hardware choice, quality, and cost.
- wmoxam 15y agoMacports is a decent enough package manager. My only real gripe is the lack of binary packages.
- lawnchair_larry 15y agoI took someone's recommendation to abandon Macports for Homebrew. Worth it. But, still no binary packages.
- zerd 15y agoHave you tried homebrew?
- wmoxam 15y agoYup, I have. Don't really see any distinct advantage, though writing new formulas (and contributing) is comparatively easier.
- petercooper 15y agoMakes as much sense as switching to OS X. The Mac OS is not Linux. Sure, but it's much closer than Windows. OS X is a Unix and things written for Linux will often compile on OS X without significant hassles. Windows has some optional layers to do this but it's not the same as running a Unix through and through. The VM route is an appealing one though and one I use myself from OS X. From what I've seen virtualizing Linux under OS X is a more seamless and pleasant experience than on Windows but perhaps things have come along there since I last looked.