FreeBSD Most wanted

[Kevin D. Kinsey, DaleCo, S.P.]

Johnson David wrote:

>On Friday 05 March 2004 02:46 pm, Vulpes Velox wrote:
>
>  
>
>>>I love FreeBSD, but the applications it runs need a little catching
>>>up to do if it wants to compete with its cousin. On that sort of
>>>desktop, anyway.
>>>      
>>>
>>LOL, for home use... not really...
>>    
>>
>
>Time to insert a plug for KDE. While FreeBSD is not ready for home use 
>due to system administration stuff, the desktop is ready. Now before 
>people start jumping all over me, please note that I distinguish 
>systems administration tasks from desktop tasks. For the former you 
>still need to know how to use a command line editor. For the latter 
>we're already there.
>
>Juk is comparable to iTunes. It's not identical to iTunes, especially in 
>the "pay to download" department, but for your typical user it's more 
>than adequate. Ripping audio is as simple as dragging ogg and mp3 files 
>out of the CD directory. Drag them right on to Juk if you want! This is 
>easier than Windows by a long shot. I've had a Windows user's jaw hit 
>the floor when he saw that.
>
>There is no reason we have to hang our heads in shame whenever the 
>Windows or Mac desktops are mentioned. While FreeBSD can't do 
>everything the other guy can, don't forget that the other guy can't do 
>everything FreeBSD with KDE/GNOME can.
>
>Remember, 99% of the users never use 99% of the functionality of an 
>application. We dont' need CYMK photo prepress functionality in GIMP 
>before it's usable in the home!
>
>Cheers,
>
>David
>  
>

I'll try to say more than just "me too."  If, in 199x
someone had showed me what's on my desktop
right now, I'd have learned it just as easily, I
think.  I can configure GNOME to be easily as
pointy/clicky as Windows.  The rest is simply
differences in enforced policy.  Windows 95 was
probably quite a bit more of a PITA than anything
I'm running on UNIX today; plus, this box just
doesn't crash...

Does the "awe factor" have anything to do with
this?  I think I could have some real killer app on a
good looking desktop, but some people just wouldn't
give it a look unless it cost me a couple $K ....
compare certain sports cars to a homeade
dragster ... Porsche might look better, but
the funny car will blow its doors off; what's
under the hood is what counts.

As for GIMP vs. Photoshop, I can't say I'm that
competent with either.  And Windows Media
Player made a mistake IMHO by making the
actual filesystem "disappear" in favor of a
different interface and "root" locale....

While we're on the subject ... how about multitrack
audio recording and mixing?  If I could replace
CakeWalk 9 on my aging win98/475 that'd be *very*
kewl....

Kevin Kinsey
DaleCo, S.P.