(Example: Do we need a Linux version of ArchiCAD?)

[Anonymous]

Is GS trying to tell us something? Or are they just teasing? Anyone have any thoughts or insights to this? I'm all for Linux compatibility.

[Anonymous]

Linux is not as "geeky" as it has been in the past. Wal-Mart has been very successful selling its PC's using Desktop LX as the operating system. If its clientele can use this OS successfully, I'm quite confident that anyone on this forum could figure it out in their sleep. Desktop LX works and looks very much the same as Windows, so much so Its almost hard to tell that it isn't Windows at first glance. A friend of mine builds custom computers of many different configurations with both ADM and Pentium processors and loads Desktop LX on all the machines (in addition to Windows for those who "need" it) and has yet to experience any hardware conflicts. As a Mac user it would be nice to have an alternative to the high priced hardware from Apple. Having the opportunity to use a G5 and being very satisfied with it's performance, I feel the investment in these machines are worth the benefits received, however, their are many who simply don't have the ability to upgrade when they need to (to keep up w/software, etc.) and IMHO this would provide a viable option.

[stefan]

Jeffrey wrote:
Wal-Mart has been very successful selling its PC's using Desktop LX as the operating system. If its clientele can use this OS successfully, I'm quite confident that anyone on this forum could figure it out in their sleep. Desktop LX works and looks very much the same as Windows, so much so Its almost hard to tell that it isn't Windows at first glance.

Then what's the reason to not use Windows, if all they want and need is Windows?
What's the use of Linux if you have a distribution that only tries to look and feel like Windows?

[stefan]

brother wrote:
Of course we need a port to linux system. All my servers are linux boxes. Stable and secure.
If we can get linux ported archicad we kick out our Win-Workstations out of the office and get Linux-ones.



Mario

Running a CAD-application (with a user constantly entering data and with advanced graphic feedback) is totally different from running a server, that does it's work in the background, unattended, once configured.

Sure, servers can run very well on Linux, but it doesn't imply that this is the best system for running your CAD-Application.

When you would run the workstation with only the CAD-Application (meaning no other work, like internet, e-mail, scanning, text-editing, gaming, mp3-playing, watching DVD's), then you will have a very stable environment, even on Windows or Macintosh.

[Anonymous]

stefan wrote:

Then what's the reason to not use Windows, if all they want and need is Windows?
What's the use of Linux if you have a distribution that only tries to look and feel like Windows?

For me the reasons not to use Windows are many, foremost is that I'm a straight-forward cut-to-the-chase type thinker, Windows insists on taking the scenic route.

It isn't a case of them wanting Windows, but more that they currently have no choice and have to use Windows for apps that are unavailable (for reasons still debated by many, however blatantly obvious they may be) on other platforms.

Desktop LX isn't distributed to "only try to look like Windows" but does so because it's being marketed to the masses, or "mobocracy" for a more familiar term, who are afraid of being different. How many times have you or a colleague created something absolutely incredible in both functionality and aesthetics to have the client come back to you saying that their real estate agent, attorney, friend, etc . is concerned that it is "too out of the ordinary" and "probably not going to be too desirable when put on the market"? However wrong they may be their advice is more than likely to be heeded over yours because when they look around their neighborhood it would appear to be true. "That's not what sell's homes today" or "You may know architecture and style but I know what people are looking for in a home"
Do they really know what people want?
People don't know what they want because they don't know what's available. " I didn't know we could do this or that or the other thing" "I thought I had to do it this way"

[Anonymous]

Of couse we do. I've been waiting for one for years. The moment there are Archicad and Photoshop for Linux I will switch to it and forgrt about Microsoft.

[Anonymous]

kliment wrote:
Photoshop for Linux

Try the Gimp (version 2.0 is almost ready)... impressive.

[Anonymous]

Just was able to get the latest RedHat 9.0 installed on my desktop machine. As easy an install as any OS ever. It was very similar to the change from OS8.6 to 9 on my old MAC, and very much easier on this WinTel machine. If indeed there was a version of Archicad, I would be using Linux today.

I am still wanting to find a way to not use MS - the frustration continues.

[Anonymous]

LewBishop wrote:
I am still wanting to find a way to not use MS - the frustration continues.

We are currently switching from MS Office to OpenOffice.org... and it's working great !

Writer is much more stable than Word and much more powerful...

[stefan]

The day I can use ArchiCAD, 3ds max, Cubase, ACID, Excel VBA, Visual C++ with MFC & OpenGL, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Premiere, ... and all my hardware (scanner, printers, digital camera, usb-dongle, ...) on Linux, then I might look at it.

The way I see it is that I choose programs I want to use and stick to the OS that supports them 😉

So I highly demand Graphisoft to not be too fast to make the switch, since they should focus all they can on improving ArchiCAD in the first place. It is allready an enormous task to support both Windows & MacOS in different flavours.

[Anonymous]

As PCs outnumber Macs greatly, and one can't always work on a mac, a stable PC operating system is imperative. Windows was intended for the average home and office user, and as such, it can't seriously compete when it comes to high-end software. Features like multiple desktops, a console, and security are all lacking from Windows. (The German government uses Linux, and Microsoft is advertising on Linux.com!)

In many film studios, Linux has become the favorite operating system (because of good software being ported to it (Maya, etc.)). it's renowned for its stability and flexibility, for example, one can share PC resources over a network (create a cluster), thereby creating a super computer. With samba, cups, and OpenOffice one has transparency between Windows and Linux. One doesn't even have to chose between either Windows or Linux, as they can dual boot.

Linux is flexible, and thus should accommodate easy porting. (Please see http://www.winehq.org/). ArchiCAD would do well to move to Linux as it is increasingly gaining popularity world wide. Why, even this very forum we are chatting on is opensource, and was developed on Linux!

For those who want to have a look, you could try Redhat (www.redhat.com), fedora (fedora.redhat.com), or SuSE (www.suse.com).

And in response to Stefan, this is how it is done on Linux:

Mono (for *.net) (but I highly recommend Python), Borland C++ (or gcc), Maya, Crossover office (Photoshop) and OpenOffice. For the rest you can dual boot, but there should be sound alternatives anyway, and as far as hardware goes, Linux does it all, and more (Bluetooth, firewire, firmware, WLAN, amature radio networking, hey - that's what Geeks are for!).

Paul.