AlanBarber.Org
Friday, June 13, 2003
Linux and Opensource: When does the hype end?
It seems whenever you read or hear something about alternatives to Microsoft all you get is Linux this and Linux that. Honestly though it's getting rather repetitive. All you hear is the same party lines being run over and over. "Opensource is more secure", "Linux is cheaper", etc. Not to say I don't like Linux or opensource products... On the contrary I think Linux it's great. This website for instance is hosted on a Linux webserver. In particular it's running Mandrake Linux, mySQL database, and Apache httpd server. So don't call me some anti-opensource person.My Problem is with the fact that it's become overhyped into a pseudo-religion. Technology is a tool to solve a problem and you should pick the tool that works best for the problem. You should never pick a tool to get back at someone or becuase it's whats everyone is talk about.
I've seen too many people try to switch from Microsoft and Windows to Linux just becuase it's the latests "cool" thing to do. Probabbly 75% of the people end of failing and going back to Windows within a week or two. The other 25% usual stick with it longer but end up spending half their time in the Linux world and the other in Windows.
The hype seems to be dying down though and I think it's great. We can finally start to not having to listen to the pary lines being spouted in every article and story. We can just recognizing Linux and the Opensource community as a viable option for those interested in a non-microsoft solution.
Then just maybe Linux and Opensource will actually be on the same playing field with the other ballplayers and not the back sandlot.
on 06/13/2003 at 01:24 PM