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and that equally goes from our (Windows devs) perspective. It's hard to find the time to research and learn the toolset of another environment. Both environment

and that equally goes from our (Windows devs) perspective. It's hard to find the time to research and learn the toolset of another environment. Both environments have their advantages and disadvantages. If you have a hacker mindset that doesn't mind negotiating the perils of configuration files and the command line, perhaps Linux is the better choice. If however you prefer to spend more time just getting stuff done... ;) In all seriousness though, having attempted to learn Linux on a number of occasions, trying to make the leap from one O/S to another isn't a cakewalk. They're structured differently, operate differently, configured differently, have different UI paradigms - it takes a big mental effort and a bunch of time few of us have to spare to cross that chasm. If you grew up in a Windows environment, it's not hard to see why you'd think Linux sucks. But equally, I find it hard to argue with the reasons Linux die-hards complain about Windows - given their lack of experience and/or patience with the Windows toolset.

mreiland 12y ago
As someone who leaps in and out of both Operating Systems on a daily basis, it really isn't that difficult. The thing you have to watch out for is how well your tech stack is supported. If I know I'm supporting Windows I will not write the software in Ruby as their Windows support is atrocious (honestly Python isn't much better imo, but I have less personal experience with it). If I'm developing .Net/C# I'll use Windows for Visual Studio, even if I"m supporting Mono because the environment is just better. If I'm working on a PHP project I'll do it Linux even if it's meant to run on Windows because, again, the environment there is just better for the development. It isn't about the OS itself. There is some friction there in terms of familiarity with editors, etc, but most of the friction is about the technology you're using.
- walljm 12y ago
  I think balabaster's point still stands, and your points (though good) only serve to illustrate. also, its important to keep in mind that not everyone is as good at switching. this could be because only some people have the time and inclination to do what balabaster suggested and dig in and learn the ins and outs of both systems, after which its "really isn't that difficult". i've worked in both (Win/Nix) on a daily basis for a while doing dev in perl. as long as i was active in both switching wasn't hard, though i found myself feeling out of water in nix whenever i ventured outside the boundaries i was used to. i'd run into a situation and just not know where to even start looking in nix for a problem, whereas in windows i could usually guess at the right place to start investigating. also, the transition and learning was made easier because i had really smart and helpful people right next to me to answer my questions. I had the same problem with Mac/Win when doing photo/video editing. I could get around in a mac fine, but found certain ui and organisational decisions frustrating.

mreiland 12y ago

As someone who leaps in and out of both Operating Systems on a daily basis, it really isn't that difficult. The thing you have to watch out for is how well your tech stack is supported. If I know I'm supporting Windows I will not write the software in Ruby as their Windows support is atrocious (honestly Python isn't much better imo, but I have less personal experience with it). If I'm developing .Net/C# I'll use Windows for Visual Studio, even if I"m supporting Mono because the environment is just better. If I'm working on a PHP project I'll do it Linux even if it's meant to run on Windows because, again, the environment there is just better for the development. It isn't about the OS itself. There is some friction there in terms of familiarity with editors, etc, but most of the friction is about the technology you're using.

walljm 12y ago
I think balabaster's point still stands, and your points (though good) only serve to illustrate. also, its important to keep in mind that not everyone is as good at switching. this could be because only some people have the time and inclination to do what balabaster suggested and dig in and learn the ins and outs of both systems, after which its "really isn't that difficult". i've worked in both (Win/Nix) on a daily basis for a while doing dev in perl. as long as i was active in both switching wasn't hard, though i found myself feeling out of water in nix whenever i ventured outside the boundaries i was used to. i'd run into a situation and just not know where to even start looking in nix for a problem, whereas in windows i could usually guess at the right place to start investigating. also, the transition and learning was made easier because i had really smart and helpful people right next to me to answer my questions. I had the same problem with Mac/Win when doing photo/video editing. I could get around in a mac fine, but found certain ui and organisational decisions frustrating.