Blasphemy I: Linux and the single eeePC

The more you use Linux, the more you appreciate the hard work of the programmers who make all that “Evil Automatically Works” stuff in Windows. Sure, Linux desktop operating systems are a capable solution for basic web browsing and office work, but if you unleashed it on an unsuspecting user needing more advanced and professional functionality, the good folks of the Geneva Convention would probably want to have a word with you.

Sure, sure, with a few minutes (read: hours) rooting through various repositories, third party applications, passionate (and contradictory) wikis/forums and esoteric command line input, you can do ANYTHING in linux, but sometimes wouldn’t it be nice to just have some seemingly basic things just work “out of the box” like in Windows and OS X? Case in point…

• Bluetooth
• WiFi
• Power Management
• X-Platform Networking
• Video/Audio Codecs
• Uninstallation
• Printing & Fonts
• GPRS/3G
• Consistency (the good type)!

Bottom line, Linux is a great platform for the tinkerer and hobbyist but still a long, long way before its a “user experience”. I know I’ve just tweaked more than a few, soon-to-be-rabid Linux enthusiasts, but consider it an answer to that Linux battle cry of “Why Windows?” rather than an assault on the sacred Tux.