Windows vs. Linux Rant
I work in an atmosphere that is predominately occupied by *nix guys. Because of that, I am privy to a lot of Microsoft bashing. Microsoft does this bad. Microsoft does that bad. Microsoft did me wrong. Microsoft did my mother wrong. Blah… blah… blah..
Sure, I can see the benefits and stability of using an open source OS (I haven’t had a reboot/crash/shutdown since I made the switch to a Linux OS), but I also know that if Linux becomes as popular as the Linux crowd want it to, the days of the relative piece of mind of not having to worry much about getting a virus or malware just because you are using Linux are going to be over.
But let me lay it down on the table. I got into IT relatively late. Just around the DOS/Windows for Workgroups days. And I don’t know the whole history of what happened with IBM and Microsoft and the other companies back in those days.
But I do remember the days before the personal computer became a household gadget and a permanent business tool all over the world. And I also remember what crappy job options we used to have before IT jobs came along. You either got a good desk job or you broke your back lifting or shoveling stuff.
So here’s my question. Lets just say that the *nix guys got their dream to come true. Lets say that Microsoft Corp. never happened.
Would the computer ever have gotten out for the “untouchable and impossible to understand mystery machine” that it used to be thought of if the *nix guys had it their way?
Would IT jobs only be attainable by a select group of elitist *nix guys if they had their way?
Would the internet as we experience it today ever have happened if *nix guys got their way?
Microsoft doesn’t produce perfect products, and they do keep releasing products that crash a lot, but they do keep me employed. If it wasn't for Microsoft, I might have had to do a very difficult, physically challenging and back breaking job, but instead, I get to sit on my ass behind a flat screen monitor.
