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The author is delusional. Linux kernel hardware support was garbage in the 90s. Linux UX was garbage in the 90s (not much has changed). Yeah, I remember how T

The author is delusional. Linux kernel hardware support was garbage in the 90s. Linux UX was garbage in the 90s (not much has changed). Yeah, I remember how TUIs were the “friendly” way to install distros. Or configuring X11 for my specific CRT and video card… Sure, Microsoft did illegal things to keep competing OSes off of OEM desktops, but Linux was never a contender in the 90s. Note how the author blames the user for any and all faults with Linux. That’s poor form.

kazinator 2y ago
90s was a long decade. In 1990, Linux didn't exist. Between around 1993 and 1999, there were huge improvements on all fronts. You can't really generalize about 90s Linux.
- nullindividual 2y ago
  I'm speaking from 1997-1999. TUI was still the way to install Slack/RH. X11 manual conf editing was still the way to configure X. HW support was still garbage.
  - kazinator 2y ago
    All sorts of hardware worked. Video cards, storage controllers, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, network cards, sound cards, keyboards, mice, ... People had good experiences,l running Linux. What's true is that you could not just shop for hardware, especially new model hardware without first checking that it would work. All the HW support was done by reverse-engineering volunteer coders. Garbage is not really a word that fits.
    - nullindividual 2y ago
      > What's true is that you could not just shop for hardware, especially new model hardware without first checking that it would work. And yes, while video cards certainly did work, often they were restricted to non-accelerated modes. Hence, "hardware support was garbage". If we're gate keeping because the drivers were developed by volunteers, please keep me out of the gate. You speak as if I have zero experience of Linux back in the dark ages. Please don't do that. I was there. I configured these things. It was not "easy" relative to other contemporary operating systems. And I enjoyed it!
orionblastar 2y ago
Plus he forgot IBM OS/2 and how Microsoft stabbed them in the back. Look up the DOJ investigation of Microsoft to see the violations. Microsoft used to bundle Windows with Office for OEMs and force Internet Explorer to be the default web browser. Microsoft stopped offering free Office OEM licenses and now installs a trial of Office and the user has to pay for a key to Office or a Microsoft 365 subscription. You didn't get that nonsense in IBM OS/2 or GNU/Linux.
stop50 2y ago
They sabotaged Linux, not because it was already an alternative, but because it had a strong potential to drive them out of the market.
- nullindividual 2y ago
  Expand on that thought, in terms of Linux for the contemporary desktop of the era.

kazinator 2y ago

90s was a long decade. In 1990, Linux didn't exist. Between around 1993 and 1999, there were huge improvements on all fronts. You can't really generalize about 90s Linux.

nullindividual 2y ago
I'm speaking from 1997-1999. TUI was still the way to install Slack/RH. X11 manual conf editing was still the way to configure X. HW support was still garbage.
- kazinator 2y ago
  All sorts of hardware worked. Video cards, storage controllers, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, network cards, sound cards, keyboards, mice, ... People had good experiences,l running Linux. What's true is that you could not just shop for hardware, especially new model hardware without first checking that it would work. All the HW support was done by reverse-engineering volunteer coders. Garbage is not really a word that fits.
  - nullindividual 2y ago
    > What's true is that you could not just shop for hardware, especially new model hardware without first checking that it would work. And yes, while video cards certainly did work, often they were restricted to non-accelerated modes. Hence, "hardware support was garbage". If we're gate keeping because the drivers were developed by volunteers, please keep me out of the gate. You speak as if I have zero experience of Linux back in the dark ages. Please don't do that. I was there. I configured these things. It was not "easy" relative to other contemporary operating systems. And I enjoyed it!

orionblastar 2y ago

Plus he forgot IBM OS/2 and how Microsoft stabbed them in the back. Look up the DOJ investigation of Microsoft to see the violations. Microsoft used to bundle Windows with Office for OEMs and force Internet Explorer to be the default web browser. Microsoft stopped offering free Office OEM licenses and now installs a trial of Office and the user has to pay for a key to Office or a Microsoft 365 subscription. You didn't get that nonsense in IBM OS/2 or GNU/Linux.

stop50 2y ago

They sabotaged Linux, not because it was already an alternative, but because it had a strong potential to drive them out of the market.

nullindividual 2y ago
Expand on that thought, in terms of Linux for the contemporary desktop of the era.