http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/02/1317246&from=rss

I’m writing here to give my two cents on this post, because it was too late for me to post it on /.  .. as my post would have been sent to the abyss to never be seen again.

Just to give my self a little cred before you start reading and flame me half way through, I prefer FreeBSD for my servers because I like how easy it is to setup an empty shell of a box very quickly and add what I want to it just as quick.  I like the ports and how easy it is to upgrade them and how everything builds the way I like them to be built.  I have a few Linux servers, and I like them, but I prefer FreeBSD, but my response isn’t about servers, it’s about the barier to entry to the Linux destop.

Anyway, my main gripe on Linux at least as far as desktop applications are concerned, is the applications that are built for it.  People don’t really use the operating system for the operating system sake, they use it for what’s available.  For instance, my favorite editor in the world is UltraEdit, I love that editor, but the only problem, it only runs on Windows (at least the last time I checked).  Now there are plenty of replacements or alternatives to my favorite editor such as JEdit and many others that have similar features, but if I were forced to drop all my Windows boxes and slap Linux on them, JEdit is the editor I would probably switch to.  I like the editor, and it has a butt load of plugins, but it really is a pain in the ass to set up the way I want it to be setup, and most the plugins seem to be written just to match the features from other editors (not just UltraEdit) as opposed to really creating something innovative.  Well, I hope if the JEdit guys read this, they don’t take it the wrong way, because I really do like JEdit.  Another problem is, training other people here how to use it, how to install plugins, how to configure it and so on and so forth, where as the strong Windows apps have a much lighter barier to entry and don’t take me anywhere near as long to train people how to use them.

Now, UltraEdit was just an  example, but the list goes on and on, such as the Photoshop vs Gimp… getting our graphic designers to even look at Gimp is trying to pull a caffeine wired mountain lions teeth.  Alternative to quick books?  I’m sure there is one, but I don’t know about it.  One thing I’ll give linux is Open Office, it works just as well as a solid replacement for the big evil I will not mention (because I’ve pulled more hair out because of that damn program than any other program ever… EVER!)

Now if Linux is going to gain ground, it’s application writers are going to make sure and package more features into the core product, which inevitably means linking to more libraries which is ok if the package manager is good.  From what I’ve seen, Debian and Ubuntu (Same package Manager?) are very good at this, so that’s one piece of the puzzle… but if the package manager isn’t good or stuff has to be built from source, could be devastating to n00bs.

Also, the application writers are going to have to do more than just package more features into the core product, they are going to have to build features in that nobody else has, and they are going to have to continually do it because the others out there will steal their ideas and do steal their ideas, and not only that they might even try to patent them!!!!!

The patenting and stealing is not really an issue with Linux itself though…

The biggest reason why people don’t adopt Linux from what I can see though, is that the distributions need to find more ways to monetize and market their distributions.  Without marketing, there’s no way to let the general public know about it, other than bundling it on cheaper computers.  I have yet to see an ad on mainstream television about Linux, and until that happens, it won’t gain significant ground as a viable desktop option.

The new website is awesome, if by chance you are reading this, you will have to check it out.  It is bbbsystems.com!…

Oh yeah, I guess you would like a link to our new website which focuses on custom web development and software.

Now all we need is for the search engines to kick in, find it and index it… So not only do I hope you like it, I hope Google likes it too.

Anyway, I was working on a client’s website the other day, they are a real estate company in Lake Conroe Texas, and they have some really good looking houses down there. So if I buy a house, I wouldn’t mind buying one on a lake, that would be cool. Don’t think I would want one on a golf course though, because I know there’s a bunch of golfers out there like me that like to drive golf balls into the houses… well, I guess I don’t like to drive them into the houses, but as much as I shank ‘em, I guess an observer might think I do… lmao.

Ok, I guess that’s my rant for the day… One of these days I’ll buy a house… but it sure as hell won’t be on a golf course.

Ok, I guess that’s it.

First off, I just want to say, that search engine optimization just flat out sucks. Here’s why, all these little tricks, and tactics like the ones I pulled in this article for trying to manipulate… er I mean, tell the search engines that I matter, that I should show up in their results, that I should belong in their club , by linking to my seo keyword rich page. Unless your Wikipedia or something, that doesn’t require any other shleps like you and I linking to them (Yes, the link to Wikipedia on this page is totally unnecessary, as they don’t need my help), you need to set up blogs like this, and give it goofy seo titles (like the one I gave this post) for hopes of getting google to recognize us. Google don’t care about us, they just care about bloggers going out and writing a bunch of seo text, and linking to who ever and what ever for figuring out who is popular and who isn’t, and not based on the actual quality and workmanship of the website itself.

Well, anyway, I was reading/lurking Slashdot (/.) one day (because that’s what I do… */me pushes glasses up and grins*), at least I think it was Slashdot, or I guess it could have been somewhere else, anyway… I ran into a happy page about what it would be like if Google had to Optimize for Google…

I seen what these guys put together, I started laughing my ass off, because when it was all said and done, it was freakin’ Yahoo… lmao, I figure I could throw an SEO link out there to Yahoo, because lord knows they need it (I’m not a religious Arizonan by the way (doh… I did it again: note the double parenthesized text… damn I’m l337)).

Anyway, I’m so sick of making ugly SEO titles, being careful to match my happy keywords with my content, etc… in order to compete with those blood suckers… er n00bs, er other web developers (No seo link for you guys sorry) with their invalid XHTML Transitional doc types (as opposed to our Valid XHTML Strict Doc Types). I mean, if I were running the search engines, that’s the first thing I would do, any page that didn’t validate, would get dropped below all those pages that do. Well, I guess this page would be screwed because the editor doesn’t generate valid XHTML even though it says it does, unlike our Content Management System WYSIWYG Editor… There I go again, another shameless plug:/

I just hope the Google gods are merciful.

See, I have goals, I have plans, I need to get my muscles all beefed up so all the hot chicks drool all over me, that way I can turn them down, because I got a hot chick of my own, and she wouldn’t be too happy with me if I happened to slip and fall into one… well, I guess she wouldn’t be too mad if I fell into Stacey Kiebler or something, because she’s so hot I’m sure she would go for it if she had a chance… LMAO. Anyway, I told her she could have a go with Brad Pitt if she could and I wouldn’t be mad.

Anyway, to give my belly a helping hand, I decided to pick up bowling again, and quite honestly, I find it quite humbling to be in the presence of so many great athletes. So I got me a new ball (and I think I already want another one… I also have a similar problem with golf clubs, computers… etc…), and I seem to be doing ok at it, but I don’t think it’s really starting to help out my tommy… er tummy… just not sure if it’s helping it out in the right direction.

Anyway, the point of the story is, I need to get my ass back to the gym before I get flabby again. So if anyone can hook me up with some motivational pep talk to get going to the gym, that would be great.

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