Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
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> ____/ Bamm on Monday 19 May 2008 07:33 : \____
>
>>> Imagine a village fool of villains where it's hard to recognise
>>> non-villains. The trolling in this newsgroup has led people to prejudice
>>> against unfamiliar names (trolls tend to change names very frequently to
>>> escape filters, so new names always arouse suspicion).
>>
>> Thanks. I understand it better now.
>>
>> It's easy to google a person though, to check if he or she is for
>> real. Search for "Bamm Gabriana" brings up 1,950 results, so my
>> Internet actions are no secret.
>>
>> Also my subtle push for Linux support in the astro support groups,
>> most importantly in the Astronomy Common Object Model (ASCOM) which is
>> a middle layer between the telescopes and the astronomy programs.
>>
>> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCOM-Talk/message/14172
>>
>> So my point is I am advocating Linux, I understand its deficiencies in
>> my chosen field, I am working to close the gap, and I know that the
>> best way to advocate Linux to a niche field like mine is to have a
>> clear understanding of what works and what doesn't, so as not to give
>> false hopes to my peers.
>>
>> Jumping the gun on people who report Linux deficiencies (with the
>> sincere desire to have it improve soon) does not help much with Linux
>> advocacy. I would prefer if these guys pointed me in a direction which
>> I can get help rather than challenging all my assertions and calling
>> me names.
>
> Bringing up deficiencies or weaknesses in this forum is giving ammunition to
> what's been known as Microsoft Munchkins (paid agents tgar Microsoft uses, to
> this this date, to spread information in blogs and forums, e.g. [1,2]). So,
> yes, I understand why you're facing some weird hostility...
>
> On the high end/cutting edge, Linux is actually doing pretty well, but it
> depends on the niche. In animation/video production, for example, with
> renderers and programs like Maya 3D, there was a move from Solaris to Linux,
> IIRC [3,4]. A few use Macs in that domain, but it's largely dominated by
> Linux. Windows is actually more of a joke there. Astronomy might be a case of
> tipping point.
>
In terms of applied astronomy, though, I'd suggest that Linux is
probably taking the lead. I understand that the Phoenix probe runs
Linux, as an example, as did the ultimately ill-fated Beagle2. Applied
scientists seem to be fairly pro-Linux as far as I can see.
The Ascom thing looks quite interesting, and perhaps some libs there
would be useful. I've been personally somewhat disappointed in the
Amateur Radio area where hamlib, although it has a solid developer base,
doesn't seem to have gained a great deal of support in a geek area which
was once the province of some seriously investigative engineers. It
would seem that too many radio amateurs have got old and cautious...
maybe astronomy has been, to an extent, suffering the same?
--
| mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
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