The Small Rants Thread X: Turn Down for Bitchin'

[KellKheraptis]

The problem I have with Linux systems is that I'm not a computer person. 

See, I am an extremely computer savvy person (I have my masters degree...) and I still don't get along with linux.

this blows my mind... (not quite but its a proper use of exaggeration, i think)

iv never been so glad to be off of windows... my boy uses windows for his gaming rig... but he basically just plays on steam. im tempted to put him on the steam os (linux)...

i do everything on my linux boxes (except gaming, im not into it). im not remotely very good at using the linux even... but i don't have Windows Anxiety@ any more, no blue screens or malwars or virals or or or or or or...

Same here altpersona, only I do a fair bit of gaming as well and basically everything works just as is should on Wine.  It's really come a long way.  My wife and daughter specifically requested I ditch Windows 8 on their machines for Linux as well, and couldn't be happier.

I'm also a developer for websites, to a lesser degree Java (ever seen a .jsp?), Android, and now branching out into general app/executable design as time allows.  Even if Linux didn't have by far the best IDEs (which it does), the best software stack for all of that (LAMP anyone?), and the easiest method of emulating every possible permutation of browser/OS (this one technically also exists for OSX and Windows, but only Virtual Box - not VB, VMWare, Qemu, Xen, and about 3 more options as well depending upon version needed), I'd still only ever be using Linux.  I have yet to encounter the same plague of crashes/bugs/viruses (not to say I wasn't extremely good at removing them or preventing them on my own machine, but when you add in two more...) on Linux, and further have yet to encounter ANY operating system that I can fine-tune exactly the way I want.  Hell, my wife's Toshiba she had before her current ultrabook was a 100% homebrewed version of Mint that had literally every possibly irritating CLI or tech-savvy edge smoothed over, to the point where when she was away for business for a week and getting constant updates, she never once had to ask for help on them.

I realize it's not for everyone, but at the same time, I predict it will gain considerably on the other two as M$ phases in the SaaS model for Windows 10.

[Nanshork]

I'm with Littha.

If I had a computer just for work or an at home server (which someday I'll get around to owning) then it will be Linux.

I've had so many issues trying to get games to work on Wine that I will not do Linux for my personal use.  Windows is the only way to ensure that I can play my games and that's most of what I do on my laptop that doesn't involve the internet.

[littha]

The problem I have with Linux systems is that I'm not a computer person. 

See, I am an extremely computer savvy person (I have my masters degree...) and I still don't get along with linux.

this blows my mind... (not quite but its a proper use of exaggeration, i think)

iv never been so glad to be off of windows... my boy uses windows for his gaming rig... but he basically just plays on steam. im tempted to put him on the steam os (linux)...

i do everything on my linux boxes (except gaming, im not into it). im not remotely very good at using the linux even... but i don't have Windows Anxiety@ any more, no blue screens or malwars or virals or or or or or or...

Same here altpersona, only I do a fair bit of gaming as well and basically everything works just as is should on Wine.  It's really come a long way.  My wife and daughter specifically requested I ditch Windows 8 on their machines for Linux as well, and couldn't be happier.

I'm also a developer for websites, to a lesser degree Java (ever seen a .jsp?), Android, and now branching out into general app/executable design as time allows.  Even if Linux didn't have by far the best IDEs (which it does), the best software stack for all of that (LAMP anyone?), and the easiest method of emulating every possible permutation of browser/OS (this one technically also exists for OSX and Windows, but only Virtual Box - not VB, VMWare, Qemu, Xen, and about 3 more options as well depending upon version needed), I'd still only ever be using Linux.  I have yet to encounter the same plague of crashes/bugs/viruses (not to say I wasn't extremely good at removing them or preventing them on my own machine, but when you add in two more...) on Linux, and further have yet to encounter ANY operating system that I can fine-tune exactly the way I want.  Hell, my wife's Toshiba she had before her current ultrabook was a 100% homebrewed version of Mint that had literally every possibly irritating CLI or tech-savvy edge smoothed over, to the point where when she was away for business for a week and getting constant updates, she never once had to ask for help on them.

I realize it's not for everyone, but at the same time, I predict it will gain considerably on the other two as M$ phases in the SaaS model for Windows 10.

To be fair, it has been some years since I used Wine and I never really got along with it. Took forever for me to get working.

[KellKheraptis]

The easiest way now is PlayOnLinux, which is built from Wine (more user-friendly front end) with built-in sets of scripts for a TON of games.  WineHQ online also has a ton of good info for anything NOT on the PoL list.  My main game has always been D2 LoD. which works flawlessly on every distro I've tried (it's easiest on Debian based, such as Mint and Ubuntu, but I've gotten it to work installing on Sabayon/Gentoo even).

I haven't had a chance to do anything with it in quite a while, but I've thought about integrating the parts that matter from ReactOS into a mainline kernel and compiling, then seeing what comes of it.  That would put the vast majority of needed frameworks to run 99% of Windows programs within the OS out of the box, while dodging all of the inherent suck (as it's from the open-source implementation of the NT kernel and framework).  The last official project for it was called Longene, but I think that is now dead, sadly.

[dman11235]

The options are:
Linux based OS, do a computer to add game of choice to the OS's "capable of being used" list of programs, download game, install game, play game, or:
Window, download game, install game, play game.

90% of people, maybe even more, and not good enough at doing a computer to pull off the linux stuff, and even if they were, some don't want to bother because it adds another layer of complexity and therefore potential issues and things that can go wrong in playing it.  Not to mention that the support systems generally frown on using unapproved measures to run things, so if you're encountering a bug or glitch or something, you might not be able to be helped by the developers because you're using it in an environment it's not designed to run in*.

*note: just because the script is "exactly like windows so you're argument is invalid" no, it's not exactly like windows, if it was, it would be windows.  Generally this won't cause issues, but the support system cannot verify what's wrong if you're using something they didn't plan for.  That's why those clauses exist.

[altpersona]

i almost completely agree....

if you want an os for gaming then you definitely want a console 

if you want an os for gaming and some office work then you want windows.

if you want everything but the latest windows only games then you should have a perfectly satisfactory time w/ a nix box. 

[dman11235]

if you want everything but the latest windows only games then you should have a perfectly satisfactory time w/ a nix box. 

...except the part about having to do things to get them to work.  Even if they're older games* you still have to do stuff to your computer to get them to work, and work right/better/whatever.  Even if they have a quick and easy fix/update/config you can install that lets you run the games, you still have to know what you're doing to do this.  And most people don't.  I kinda do, so it wouldn't be too bad, but I don't want to have to deal with it when Windows works so well for it.

Also, consoles?  Yeah, that's only for pre-packaged games.  I mod a lot of mine (and before you say anything, I know.  But it's a different type of work, and the modding I do consists of using a mod loader [Curse/FTB/ATL for Minecraft, Civ5 integrated modding for that], or putting a file in the thing.  It also it adjusting the game to work differently, not adjusting the game to get it to work), and a lot of mine are PC only.  Console is for social, party games in my view.  And some others too, it's a matter of preference.  I do love controllers for FPS action, they feel nicer for that stuff.

*Older to a point.  Once you go old enough, you have to do to Windows what you'd have to do to Linux, of course.  And also of course ignoring games/programs built to run on Linux.

[altpersona]

the only hoops i jump through getting games to work on my ubuntu is for dos era games. you gotta work out what settings are going to work for you... edit the .ini n what not... sorta exactly like we had to do when those games came out :/

once your break over into modding your games, you are basically doing that same work you described having to do  to get the games working on nix... its plug n play or its work.

[Amechra]

I feel really bad for one of my players.

He really enjoys arguing as a method of deriving new truths! He hates all other forms of argument. He wants to be a philosopher.

I don't have the heart.

EDIT: He also uses lesswrong.org as a main source without any of his own external research. Considering that one of the pages linked from the front page gave me a rage headache (STATISTICAL METHODS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY!)...

I worry.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

... poetry ...

In the evening
Warm pot of green tea in hand
A smug jerk is you

In early morning
I tend to feel strange emotions;
I shall seek revenge

dude is beyotching
beyotch happens ev'ry town
thousand miles away

[dman11235]

I cannot rhyme well
but douchebags give me headaches
It's snowing on Mount Fuji

[brujon]

Well fuck me in the ass and call me a bitch. I never park my car in the garage, because my mom always parks behind me and i have to maneuver both cars and it's a hassle. Just today i decided to do it, and it's the day the contractors decide to plaster the garage floors, which will take 3 days to settle, meaning i can't take my fucking car out of the garage for 3 fucking days.

3 fucking days.

My sister was in the house and she let that happen because she was playing league of legends. I'm beyond pissed right now, and already screamed at the top of my lungs to just about everyone in this fucking house.

Fucking bullshit, i tell you.

[Amechra]

I cannot rhyme well
but douchebags give me headaches
It's snowing on Mount Fuji

Now, tell me my friend
Would you enjoy a haiku?
How about this one?

[dman11235]

THat's not a haiku.  Everyone knows all haikus end with "it's snowing on Mount Fuji"

[bhu]

Seriously considering leaving my offline group.

[Nanshork]

Seriously considering leaving my offline group.

From what I've heard that might be best.






...it's snowing on Mount Fuji.

[Kuroimaken]

My psych teacher at uni is driving me nuts.

Aside from a completely incompetent work ethic (took her three weeks to post a fucking class plan, half the informations of which are completely useless) and teaching us wrong ("hey guys, psychology follows no logic", "intelligence is a characteristic of your personality", "most corporations favor ass-kissing") she is incapable of teaching without deviating from the subject whenever even mildly confronted on her ridiculous "concepts".

I would throttle the bitch, but I don't need the hassle.

[KellKheraptis]

My psych teacher at uni is driving me nuts.

Aside from a completely incompetent work ethic (took her three weeks to post a fucking class plan, half the informations of which are completely useless) and teaching us wrong ("hey guys, psychology follows no logic", "intelligence is a characteristic of your personality", "most corporations favor ass-kissing") she is incapable of teaching without deviating from the subject whenever even mildly confronted on her ridiculous "concepts".

I would throttle the bitch, but I don't need the hassle.

She must be from IL on the last one at least - corporations there favor ass-kissing above any actual skill, talent, or ability.

[Kuroimaken]

My psych teacher at uni is driving me nuts.

Aside from a completely incompetent work ethic (took her three weeks to post a fucking class plan, half the informations of which are completely useless) and teaching us wrong ("hey guys, psychology follows no logic", "intelligence is a characteristic of your personality", "most corporations favor ass-kissing") she is incapable of teaching without deviating from the subject whenever even mildly confronted on her ridiculous "concepts".

I would throttle the bitch, but I don't need the hassle.

She must be from IL on the last one at least - corporations there favor ass-kissing above any actual skill, talent, or ability.

One thing I'll say for her though, she's probably trying my self-control on purpose.

Today she actually asked me to go in front of class to give people an example on something.

I answered "thought you'd never ask". What I wanted to say was, "OK class, let's start with the assumption that every word this woman has breathed in this room for the past month and a half is wrong".

[linklord231]

I think I'm gonna have to call Microsoft to get them to reactivate my copy of Windows. 

I got a new solid state drive a couple weeks ago, and had some issues cloning my data over.  I decided to just say fuck it and do a clean install.  Unfortunately, I lost my product key somewhere along the line.  Fine, whatever, I still have my old Windows installation from my old hard drive, I'll just use a key finder tool to recover it.  Unfortunately, my product key seems to be well and truly lost.  I've tried 3 different key finder tools, and none of them have come up with any results.  They can find the Product ID, just not the key