Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:17:30 -0500
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>,
   WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
From: "Mike B." <omni at omniphile.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Geeky humor...
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

At 1/18/2007 08:25 PM, Keith F. Lynch wrote:

>There are many different ways to interact with a computer.  Windows is
>one with certain advantages and disadvantages.  Mostly disadvantages,
>from my perspective.

I agree when I'm programming, or rebooting to install a new or
updated driver, or rebooting to install yet another security patch,
or rebooting because it locked up while doing something
typical.  When I'm trying to interact with Windows users though, it
has certain advantages in being able to run the same software they
are...though most of the file types I need to deal with for that can
be dealt with by OpenOffice on Linux too.

I've recently found and installed Cygwin, which makes Windows a lot
more usable (doesn't keep it from dying or getting infected or
needing frequent reboots though).  Before everyone runs out looking
for it, it's basically a unix shell for Windows...gives you most of
the capabilities you'd have on a unix system (grep, emacs, vi, all
the usual commands, as well as X-windows, Perl and other scripting
languages, various unix shells, cron, etc., etc.)...and it's free!  I
did pay a few dollars for mine...to get it all on CDs from CheapBytes.com.

>Emacs is a powerful text editor.  I'm using it now.  It does take some
>learning.

It also takes a really good memory for arbitrary key
combinations.  There are dozens and dozens of them, and only minimal
mnemonics for keeping track of them.  It also suffers from the fact
that the "macro" language you use to extend the capabilities is
Lisp...one of the less "normal" languages ever invented.  It is
available on most OSs though, so once you learn it, you are all set.

-- Mike B.

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