US Government Agencies ban Vista
Like everyone else on the planet, the Federal Government is caught between keeping Windows XP or making the switch to Vista. It may not be that easy for them due to the very specialized software in use which is only compatible with Windows XP.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have decided not to make the switch over to Vista. This is motivated by compatibility issues but also because some older systems in use may not be able to handle the higher hardware requirements of Vista.
Not only is DOT not allowing Vista to be installed they are blocking any computers with Vista installed from accessing any of their networks or resources. In addition, Office 2007 and IE7 are banned within the offices of DOT. This comes off as slightly unusual, I would consider it overkill.
There were also cost concerns, available funding for moving over to a new operating system and consequently new equipment plus a pending headquarters move all of which make upgrading to Vista difficult for them at this time.
Most organizations may require 18 months or more to verify that their applications function correctly under Vista and that any specialized systems they have will remain unaffected. Some agencies are also considering moving over to a Linux based operating system and dumping Microsoft operating systems completely.
Moving over to Linux is probably more problematic than a move to Vista would be. No program written for Windows will run under Linux unless it is emulated, the average office employee is not likely to know how to do so, nor will they know how to install any applications or use the terminal (command line) to configure certain aspects of the system.
I am not saying Linux is better or worse than Vista but I think we can all agree that Windows XP and Vista are easier to use than Linux ever will be. Eventually, Vista will become the standard, not the exception. It took around two years for Windows XP to be adopted by most businesses and government agencies. It is likely the same will be true for Vista though it may take longer than XP did to be adopted widely.
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March 16th, 2007
“I think we can all agree that Windows XP and Vista are easier to use than Linux ever will be.”
A line like this could only be written by someone who has never tried Linux longer than a day or two. Honestly, Linux is so simple to install and run today, anyone can do it. I bring my laptop to school regularly, where it is often borrowed by classmates for writing, browsing, and other school chores. No one comments that it isn’t Windows, or asks me questions about how to use it, because the KDE desktop works like Windows. People don’t “use” operating systems, they use applications, and with Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, an instant messenger / image editor / music player / media player / photo manager of your choice (I like Kopete, GIMP, Amarok, Kaffeine and digiKam, respectively) — you’re set. And almost all Linux distributions come with all the necessary applications pre-installed (which is not true for Windows).
So feel free to continue to use Windows if that’s your preference, but please don’t paint it like some kind of panacea. Continuous reboots after software installations/updates, virii, spyware, slow patch releases, having to reactivate Windows with some call center on the other side of the world after upgrading my computer, “Windows Genuine Advantageâ€, and now DRM… ugh. Running Windows is no more “easy” that running Linux. It’s just different.
March 16th, 2007
You would be right when you said I haven’t used Linux for more than a day or two. Little of my hardware is supported natively under Ubuntu or SuSE and installing drivers is a downright pain. Most of the software I use is Windows only (PhotoShop, MS Office) and so on. They are industry standards, they are what I know. The GIMP is limited when compared with PhotoShop and I’m not about to emulate anything using WINE. Then there are the drivers, yeah, I really want to use cryptic commands at the terminal to download and install drivers. Where are the double click driver installs. It’s easier to configure Windows systems, MUCH easier.
March 16th, 2007
At home, I’ve used Linux for about 3 and a half years, using OpenOffice.org, GNUCash, Kmail and three different browsers (and lots of other stuff too). At work I’m using XP, alternating between Office 2003 and OpenOffice.org.
The typical office employee I know of doesn’t do much configuring of his/her own computer beyond the wallpaper and screensaver settings, leaving such things to the IT department. That objection is therefore largely allayed.
If this accountant (without a Computer Science degree) can make Linux work on his home Pentium III to the point where friends & family don’t have a problem, I don’t see why a competent IT department can’t make Linux work in any office.
March 16th, 2007
I guess I’ve always been surrounded by self sufficient small business types who are fairly computer savvy and who don’t have an IT department or where I can pretty much stand in for them (on Windows). What you say is true and I’m not going to argue that an IT department could do that. I’m not saying I couldn’t set Linux up, I’m saying I’d rather not go through the hassle, and it is a hassle.
I know this will sound weird but it’s the best analogy I can make Windows just works like Mac OSX “just works”, Linux requires too much hand holding, for proprietary drivers and the like.
I don’t care if the whole package is open or not, just toss in the drivers and make everyone happy (everyone except the Linux gurus who LIKE doing things manually with a command line).
March 16th, 2007
“Moving over to Linux is probably more problematic than a move to Vista would be. No program written for Windows will run under Linux unless it is emulated, the average office employee is not likely to know how to do so, nor will they know how to install any applications or use the terminal (command line) to configure certain aspects of the system.”
From an admin point of view, aren’t these all good things?
In a networked environment, admins and management usually agree that changes to settings or installations of programs probably shouldn’t be handled by joe blow from accounting…
March 16th, 2007
Again, a good point but “Standard” accounts in Windows accomplish pretty much the same thing. But sometimes, it is necessary for them to install applications such as flash player or a media codec which is harder in Linux.
“joe blow” from accounting would not be given an Admin account under Windows but standard user accounts still allow for a few system chances to take place, otherwise if he is blocked from performing that action, he can call the help desk or IT support to ask for approval or denial.
The same thing could happen with Linux but you can still get more done under a standard user account in Windows. Of course, it is all relative based on the applications you need.
March 17th, 2007
[...] On top of all that, you have the US Federal Government deciding not to switch over to Vista. This decision was made due to documented compatibility issues and the expected high cost of upgrading existing equipment. The two agencies affected include The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); DOT is going so far as to block any computers with Vista installed from accessing their network. [...]
March 17th, 2007
It’s unfortunate that you’ve had problems with proprietary drivers. In my experience, most hardware is automatically recognized and properly configured by the Linux kernel, assuming you keep it up to date. The exceptions are accelerated 3D video and wireless LAN, which can be a bit of a trial sometimes. This isn’t a Linux problem so much as it is an industry failure to provide drivers. While there are some good companies like Nvidia and Atheros that serve the Linux community well, many do not, and I guess we’re not loud enough to get any more attention than we do. I’ll continue to do my part and only buy hardware that’s Linux compatible. As for your comment about configuring being easier on Windows, I think the time wasted on installing and configuring programs for Spyware, Virii, and then having to manually install everything else you need to be productive is a huge time investment. Setting up NDISwrapper to access the Broadcom WLAN card in this Dell B130 laptop was easier in comparison.
Your point about needing specific apps is well taken. Photoshop does have some edge on GIMP, though it’s not a significant difference for many users. It’s good that we’re both happy where we are OS-wise… I just dislike articles that feed into the perception that Linux isn’t easy to use. I’ll bet it took you more than a couple of days to master Windows (especially if it was 3.1 or 95), but most people have forgotten what that was like — they just know they’re “comfortable” with Windows idiosyncrasies now. And that’s fine. But learning Linux’s differences isn’t nearly as hard as it was to learn Windows from scratch. Anyone can switch with only a few growing pains… openSUSE and PCLinuxOS are good distros to try. Don’t be scared, folks. 
March 17th, 2007
I never really mastered Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, I was too young at the time, I used them but never really mastered them per se. My computing experiences really started with Windows 98, 2000, XP and now Vista, all of which I did master.
My primary gripe with Linux is the inability to set my monitors to their native resolutions (1280 x 800 and 1680 x 1050) without the graphics accelerator drivers installed. I can’t stand looking at a somewhat out of focus display.
I’ve tried Ndiswrapper and found it much harder to use than I thought. Anyway, your point about Virii, spyware and manually installing everything else is well taken. But, I know what I need (granted a lot of people don’t) and how to get it. Most of the programs I need are saved to a flash drive so I can restore them pretty easily without having to download again.
As long as you are happy with Linux and I am happy with Vista, we can just agree to disagree that both are fairly competent operating systems and will get the job done.
March 22nd, 2007
[...] This order seems to make Microsoft people smiling. Days ago US Government ban Vista and now with this order, there is a clear indication that soon the Federal Government will adopt Microsoft’s Vista if compatibility issues will be resolved. [...]
May 13th, 2007
I think it really depends on what you are using (as far as linux). Ubuntu 7.04 now works easier with my computer (Dell b130 laptop) than windows did. For example, with most wireless internet connections, the internet is faster…yes I have tested this. My G-friend likes to use windows for Photoshop and Graphic Design stuff on windows XP (home ed.). My download speeds are, literally, twice as fast.
What I dont agree with is the statement that: “I am not saying Linux is better or worse than Vista but I think we can all agree that Windows XP and Vista are easier to use than Linux ever will be.”
Truthfully, im not arguing against or for linux. Im the average user, I dont care what works as long as it works and does not pause up. Heck, Ill admit that I use windows as much as linux.
December 12th, 2007
Oh dear…what a gimp you are. Vista is a big steaming pile of poo…….
January 21st, 2009
[...] Re: LOL I love the MUD everyone is throwing on the worse OS ever! =?Utf-8?B?SmFuSg==?= <JanJ> wrote in news:BB606FF4-57CD-47AC-B3A3-F80652452E5B: > "Mang Chai Lyn" wrote: > >> From what I have heard, is that there has been memos on multinational >> insurance companies PROHIBITING the techs to install vista in all >> branches of their corporation… lol > > This is remarkably interesting information! Can you substantiate it, > or at least tell us what companies’ IT departments have been given > such orders? > > It would also be of great interest to know where you found the > professional advice on avoiding Vista, you mentioned something about > professionals from all fields in an earlier post. > > Jan Here’s one: http://vista.blorge.com/2007/03/16/u…ies-ban-vista/ [...]