Re: More benchmark bullshit, and Linux luser mating calls... (was Re: Linux betas NT in TPC testing, running Oracle8

In article <3731c199.8421121_at_news.demon.co.uk>,   nws_at_rollingthunder.demon.co.uk (Anthony Ord) wrote:
> On Tue, 27 Apr 1999 00:25:59 GMT, r.e.ballard_at_usa.net wrote:
>
> >In article <ePPy407j#GA.51_at_cpmsnbbsa03>,
> > "Joshua Schaeffer" <electric_ninja_at_email.msn.com> wrote:
> >> >Oh, linux has _plenty_ of flaws, just fewer than WindowsNT for example.
> >>
> >> Would you care to elaborate? And be specific.
> >
> >One big one. Linux does not come with a version of Motif
>
> I thought it did, you just had to pay for it. How is
> NetscapeN compiled on Linux if Motif isn't available on
> Linux?

Netscape for Linux comes in two flavors. The one normally used with the "stock" installation of Linux contains a "static" version of Motif which is linked in with the application. Imagine having to have the entire Windows MFC classes linked into your application as a static (private copy) library.

When the static version is used, Netscape gobbles up huge amounts of memory. Many of those who dismiss Linux as a desktop platform point to their comparisons of Netscape for NT compiled under a shared library (DLL & OCX) to Netscape for Linux compiled under a static library (30 meg of private memory).

The other version of Netscape uses the shared ELF library implementation of Motif. This version takes much less memory, shares much of the X11 code and many of the X11 buffers. The result is a much cleaner implementation that only takes an additional 3-5 megabytes, depending on the content that is loaded.

> >or a GPL equivilant
> >capable of running shared library model Netscape Communicator.
>
> If the problem is that there are things that are used by
> Linux that aren't free, then most other operating systems
> are in *deep* trouble.

There's nothing wrong with having Motif for Linux. I also support Applix, WordPerfect, and StarOffice, all of which are outstanding examples of Linux applications which have been done very well. There are many other commercial applications for Linux what are also well worth the value. I was very impressed with Sybase ASE.

I merely point out that if one really wants to point to "flaws" in the Linux system, they can quickly put up Netscape Navigator, watch it suck up memory like a pig, and assume that it is because Linux is such a lousy desktop system. But one must qualify that observation by acknowledging that this is merely the result of choosing not to spend the $100 license fee for Motif, rather than a flaw in the Linux kernel or it's libraries.

This is similar to the straw-man of downloading only the BASE installation of Linux and assuming that this text-only interface is an accurate reflection of the Linux operating system State-of-the-Art. This is a flawed evaluation I have seen in both DejaNews and in commercial editorial content. To put it mildly, it is a base distortion of reality which can only be justified as either questionable motives, poor journalism, or both.

I've seen dozens of articles in the last few months that depict Linux as a "text-based command-driven system" and everything in the inteview clearly indicates that they have not even attempted to use the KDE, GNOME, or TCL desktops and have not even attempted to use any of the Linux Office Suites.

The last client who demanded "true office 97" documents got billed the $350 for Office Upgrade and Works (A legitimate upgrade path). I may bill the next one the full $600 retail price.

> Regards
> Anthony

Rex Ballard - Open Source Advocate, Internet Architect, IT Architect http://www.open4success.com

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own Received on Tue May 04 1999 - 06:43:43 CEST