jim wrote:
> "caver1" <caver1@inthemud.org> wrote in message
> news:485084a4$0$4250$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>> jim wrote:
>>> I have been chatting with people about my frustration with getting simple
>>> stuff to work "out-of-the-box" with Linux.
>>>
>>> Things like simply plugging into a network and being able to browse XP
>>> folders on a peer to peer XP network (that means no server and no
>>> authentication needed) that are not password protected. Still don't have
>>> an answer to that one....
>>>
>>> But, yesterday, I ran into a shining example of one reason that FOSS will
>>> never work for small business (which is MUST to be able to legitimately
>>> challenge Microsoft's monopoly).
>>>
>>> While I was testing some software in a Linux environment, I came across
>>> an area in which it would not work as advertised by the authors. I
>>> raised some polite concern (really...I was polite) about the problem in a
>>> user forum specific to this software, only to be told politely to rtfm.
>>>
>>> I re-rtfm. The problem persisted, so I raised my concerns again. Again
>>> I was told to rtfm. Again I re-rtfm and returned with the same questions
>>> that were unanswered by the manual.
>>>
>>> This time I was politely informed where I could reach the authors of the
>>> software. I went there and we went through the whole rtfm, re-rtfm loop
>>> another 2 or three times until they finally asked to see my data. I sent
>>> them my data files.
>>>
>>> In about an hour, they confirmed that there was a problem. Great! Now
>>> they'll jump right on it - because everyone wants their code to work like
>>> they say it will, right?
>>>
>>> Well, not really. I offered to help where I could (sacrificing a goat,
>>> providing beer or money) but was told that the only help needed was to
>>> fix the code. Unfortunately for me, I don't know C coding - so I am SOL.
>>>
>>> Small businesses (which are 90+% of all businesses) are called "small
>>> businesses" because they are small. This generally means no in-house
>>> programmers. So, small businesses are at the mercy of the coders that
>>> provide the software that they run on.
>>>
>>> In this instance, I am at the mercy of these coders.
>>>
>>> As nice as they are, this "I'll get to it when I can" attitude is just
>>> not acceptable to small businesses. They lose market share. They lose
>>> customers and they lose money when software doesn't work as advertised in
>>> tfm.
>>>
>>> This is why FOSS just doesn't work for the majority of businesses (which
>>> are small businesses).
>>>
>>> While I move on to look for proprietary sources to replace the broken
>>> open sourced software, I am again reminded that the FOSS movement still
>>> "just doesn't get it" where small business is concerned.
>>>
>>> If it doesn't affect your earning a living or some other important aspect
>>> of your life, FOSS may be just fine. But, if its important, its
>>> important enough to pay to have it done right and supported.
>>>
>>> jim
>>
>>
>> Why don't you preach to you're believers. After all you really don't want
>> the truth.
>> I have no problem with Linux cooperating with MS. But try to get MS to
>> cooperate with Linux that's another story.I really think you need to talk
>> to Dennis, Hadron, and Jeff Glatt.
>> I do have my own "small business" and have had for 30 years.
>> Go some where where someone wants to listen to you.
>> caver1
>
> I'm willing to listen and I have tried everything I have been told to try.
>
> Do YOU have the answer to getting a clean install of Linux to connect to XP
> shares (that are not passworded) on a peer to peer XP network?
>
> I'm listening.....
>
> jim
>
>



Why don't you ask MS why they won't cooperate with Linux. The only times
I had problems was with MS sharing with Linux not Linux sharing with MS.
I have always found it easier to share between Linux machines than
between MS machines. Connect a MS machine to a Linux network and Linux
lets MS see the network. Connect a Linux machine to a MS network and you
have to work to get the MS network to let the Linux machine in.
So is it Linux or MS?
Go preach to your own believers. :Q
caver1
caver1