You know the type. The technical reporter that tries to do something on GNU/Linux, cannot figure it out and thus states to the planet the equivalent of Chicken Little saying, “The sky is falling!”, regarding GNU/Linux. We see them over and over coming back to the same point, “Until ‘Linux’ solves [insert the technical reporter's failure to do something here], it won’t be ready for prime time.” What a crock of compost.
In this case the technical reporter in question is Preston Gralla over at Computerworld Blogs. Specifically his recent article I just finished reading titled, Installing Firefox 3.6: One more reason Linux isn’t ready for the prime-time mass market. The problem here is that Mr. Gralla and those like him seem to think it is absolutely necessary to have the latest release of [insert software here] on [insert Linux distribution here]. When that is absolutely not the case in the majority of situations.
I run Mandriva 2010 at the moment on my desktop system here at the ERACC Intergalactic Spaceport and Karaoke Bar, otherwise known as my home office. I have been running releases of Mandriva for several years now. At first I too wanted to always have the latest, cutting edge release of every package out there. After a while I came to understand that if Mandriva package maintainers saw that a patch was necessary for an application I run then they would patch the version in the distribution and release the patched version in the update repository. If there were a new version of a software application that had security implications for a desktop user, then after testing the new version it would be included as an update for the life of that desktop release, usually 12 to 18 months. Long term desktop releases would get these updates if needed for their lifetime as well, usually 3 years. Then the next time I install updates I get the patched or new version.
I have come to appreciate and accept this. After all, it is highly unlikely that a zero day exploit would be found that could crack my Mandriva system from a user-space application, like we see happen so often on Microsoft systems. The default security in a GNU/Linux system makes creating a zero day exploit that can “pwn” a GNU/Linux desktop system slightly less difficult than a single person being the first to find the next Mersenne Prime[1][2] with pencil, paper and an abacus. Is it possible? Maybe, by a long shot. Is it likely? Not really. As a result, I can just be patient and wait for the new or patched software to appear in my update list. If I really want to be on the cutting edge, along with all the problems that may imply, I can install Mandriva’s Cooker version. This is the untested, it may break, it may slap you around with a large trout, developer version of Mandriva. Not recommended for the faint of heart and those who like their system to “just work”. Or I can go with a distribution like Gentoo Linux.
Honestly, I do not really want to be on the cutting edge. I want stable, known to be working with my distribution, software packages. For that I can wait for the updates or the next major Mandriva release. Regarding Firefox versions, I just updated to Firefox 3.5.7 a week or two ago using Mandriva’s updates. I do not see a pressing need to get Firefox 3.6 Right Now. I can wait for it. Mr. Gralla and his ilk can too, once they figure out how this GNU/Linux thing really works. Of course they can also stick with Microsoft and keep getting “pwned” with web based drive-by exploits that take advantage of Microsoft’s poor design decisions.
This article has had this many unique views:
| hit counter code |
Notice: All comments here are approved by a moderator before they will show up. Depending on the time of day this can take several hours. Please be patient and only post comments once. Thank you.
Have to totally agree with you here! Very good point made!
[...] the original: The GNU/Linux ?Chicken Little? Syndrome ? The ERACC Web Log Posted in: Security ADD [...]
In the infamous Huttese explative of Starwars, Mr. Preston Gralla’s article is total and complete “Bantha Poodoo”.
Use your brains Mr. Gralla!!!!
Another good example of idiotic tech reporters:
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/164582,my-life-with-linux-special-edition-going-back-to-linux-with-ubuntu-netbook-remix.aspx
(PC Authority’s “My life with Linux special edition: Going back to Linux with Ubuntu Netbook Remix” by David Fearon.)
Fearon says Ubuntu/linux isn’t ready because Open Office doesn’t save in .docx format by default and RhythymBox is bad (though he never explains why). Call attention to this moron too!
If he(Galla) bothered to search around for 2 seconds ….
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-mozilla-daily/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-mozilla-daily/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
Well written, thank you. I wanted to say something to the same effect on the original post but I didn’t have the stupid login capabilities.
“The problem here is that Mr. Gralla and those like him seem to think it is absolutely necessary to have the latest release of [insert software here] on [insert Linux distribution here]. When that is absolutely not the case in the majority of situations.”
Well said – I absolutely agree with you. A vast majority of users don’t know which version of software (or OS !) they use – and they are happy fellows nevertheless!
Cheers!
[...] http://blog.eracc.com/2010/01/22/the-gnulinux-chicken-little-syndrome/ [...]
One can always go ahead and download the mozilla packet directly from them.
Or build the source with a few simple commands…
Or add repository entries directly to the project to get the latest ASAP…
Or use git to latest dev branch…
Or …
If someone is unfamiliar with these methods, they should not be giving false impressions about linux.
I use mainly LinuxMint on the base, a ton of other repositories, including a few yum ones (yep, over some apt ones…. spice-space ftw), and a few git dev branches.
I work in IT, fix MS OS’s every day that have outdated patches or no SPs installed which cause terrible issues… my work PC has nix and a VM incase I ever need to touch any MS OS again.
Comparing between linux where without running an update one might not have the latest features or better performance vs windows without patches crashing, getting infected and possibly even failing during their SP update, I rather pick the linux, thank you.
And the way that the basic users mindset between the two OS’s is so hugely different.
No-one using linux expects everything being latest, working straight from the box, without issues or even with a slight minor annoyances. It is great if it does and a huge bonus, but not always the case. A minor tweak here or there or another dependency is usually needed… so what? The patches are tested, tried, fixed, resubmitted and finally declared stable enough for use. And eventually when the distributions test the new versions on their end to ensure nothing is broken or changed dramatically they set it on their own repositories. If I do not like the way one program works, I can always choose not to use it and pick another one. Or I can check if there is anything I can do to move around the issue. Or if I need I can change the source to tweak it to work like I want it to. Linux is operating system that WORKS. I can work on it, I can work with it and I can work in it. There is always a way.
On the other hand those who use Windows just want things to work. They expect things to work out of the box and without ever having to do anything anymore after that (for instance updating their system, or getting a firewall). And if something does not work like they want, for instance if an application does not work properly, they get frustrated and instead of thinking or trying to get it to work (for instance with opensource programs downloading the source and compiling is too much =/) they say that it does not work or needs to be updated and move on OR ask their kids to do it OR just live with it.
Excellent post, like always. Keep up the awesome work.
[Sneering, inappropriate comment deleted.]
Mike, if that is your real name, please use your real e-mail address if you are going to post your anti-Linux hate speech. Otherwise, you get no cookies from me.
Gene