[Pugged] Apache Bug

[Steve Langasek]

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Since where I come from neither sexual preferences nor OS preferences are
based on fads, I think this message warrants a response.

On Tue, Nov 19, 2002 at 02:50:20PM -0600, Angie Tollerson wrote:
> Sometimes I think dissing Windows is as trendy right now as claiming to
> be bisexual. We all know that Linux is more stable than Windows, blah
> blah blah. But it's still a pain in the butt to use for sys admin
> novices like me. Until Linux caters to the mass consumer like MS does no
> loyalty will develop for Linux beyond the current circles.  It may be
> unfair but it's there.=20

The "mass consumer" should not be permitted to make purchasing decisions
affecting server operating systems, because the mass consumer is both
ignorant and stupid; he is loyal to whoever dangles enough shiny
things[1] in front of his eyes to earn his loyalty.  I would hope that
none on this mailing list would consider themselves in the same basket
with the mass consumer.

It is unfortunately true that many server-related purchasing decisions
are made by such mass consumers, but there is hope that Linux might
eventually provide the remedy.

The phrase "sysadmin novice" is an unfortunate juxtaposition that betrays
the true complexity of successful system administration on both Unix and
Windows.  In many Windows shops, MCSE is the only certification accepted
or required, yet the MCSE is notorious for giving a seal of approval to
people who are totally incompetent to administer systems -- but who
nevertheless *feel* competent because Microsoft goes to great lengths to
hide all of the complexity that a Windows admin doesn't realize he needs
to understand until it's too late.  By contrast, there is no
corresponding systematic issuing of warm fuzzies in the Linux world.
This doesn't mean that there aren't incompetent Linux sysadmins, but it
does mean that 1) the mass-consumer-who-would-be-sysadmin naturally
gravitates towards Windows and stays there, and 2) if you hire someone
whose only credentials are the MCSE, you get what you pay for.

So forgive me if I'm not particularly sympathetic to the notion of making
system *administration* (as opposed to system *use*) more accessible to
the masses.  I think the world is just fine the way it is now, with the
bulk of the amateur sysadmins running poorly patched and poorly
configured *Windows* servers propogating worms and generally making a
mess of the Internet.  We needn't add more poorly patched and poorly
configured Linux servers to this mix.

I will also happily go on record as stating that administering a Debian
system effectively is far and away an easier task in the long term than
administering an NT or Win2K system in an equally competent manner.

> I have made a great effort in the last year to learn everything I could
> about Linux so I am well rounded in both platforms. But being called a
> "fool" because it's easier for me to feel comfortable in the windows
> platform isn't on my list of top 10 things people have said to me this
> year.=20

There are situations where running Open Source software on a Windows
platform as a learning tool or as a stepping stone is genuinely valuable.
Nevertheless, the TCO of these platforms clearly shows that, barring
certain circumstances where programming talent is unavailable, anyone who
*chooses* to base their long-term strategy for a business-critical
website on IIS is a fool.  If this means I'm calling you a fool, then I'm
sorry that you're a fool, and I wish you luck on your path to eventual
enlightenment.  In the meantime, you will not find me particularly
charitable towards those with Windows-specific problems.

> I'm about as weary of the ms/linux bantering as I was hearing about the
> tabs in Florida. Let's put some energy into fixing stuff rather than
> making fun of each other.

Hmm.  I *do* put my energy into fixing stuff -- for the benefit of
*Linux* users...

--=20
Steve Langasek
postmodern programmer

[1] c.f. MTV, the Shiny Things Network

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