Analogy: Linux is to Turntables as Windows is to CD Players

Posted by Daniel Stout on Thu 13 Sep 2007 at 10:05 PM

Walt Mossberg’s column in the Wall Street Journal today (available here) was especially interesting today because he tackled a subject he rarely touches on: Linux. Dell has recently started selling some computers with the option of having Ubuntu Linux preloaded instead of Windows Vista. Walt put an Ubuntu laptop through its paces, and his conclusion is that while Linux is easier to use than it used to be, it’s still not ready for general users. That is, you still need to have some technical ability and interest in Walt’s opinion.

As a Linux user, I think Walt is basically correct. Even with the dumbing down going on in Ubuntu, Linux is still geared towards technically competent users. Non-technical users can use Linux, but they won’t get the most out of it in my opinion. And solving problems on Linux can be a lot more challenging or impossible for general users. I use openSUSE Linux, which I find runs better than Ubuntu and doesn’t have the dumbed down features that Ubuntu has. If you’re going to run Linux you might as well jump right in instead of using watered down versions of things. I like the complexity of Linux, and Ubuntu users who try to claim its easier to use are just fooling themselves.

As I was thinking about Walt’s column, an analogy appeared in my head: Linux is to vinyl as Windows is to CDs. Windows is easy. You just boot it up and play your videos or do whatever. CD players are like that too. You just turn them on, open the drawer, and pop in a CD. There’s no configuration. It just works out of the box for the most part.

But if you want the best sound and are willing to go to a little extra trouble, playing vinyl records on a turntable will get you there. You’ll have to setup the turntable first, and it may not be an intuitive process. You may also have to do some trial and error to get the best sound. Linux is like that too because it’s a more technical process. If you want to play your videos, you may have to find software and codecs scattered in various places. You have to have an interest and a willingness to experiment and learn.

Listening to music on vinyl is rewarding for the person who expends the effort to learn about the format. So to with Linux. Windows is for the general person who doesn’t care about the format. They just want to listen to a CD and aren’t necessarily concerned about the sound quality. They just want it to work.

So yes, I agree with Walt. Running Linux is a choice and not one for the faint of heart. Listening to vinyl also is a choice, and not necessarily one I recommend to someone who doesn’t already have a vinyl collection. Linux and vinyl are rewarding, but they take extra initiative.

Tags: cd · linux · turntables · vinyl · walt mossberg · windows

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