(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.

[stefan]

paul wrote:
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.

It's all there and if not by default, it can be easily added, so that's not directly a reason to switch. Sure, the Linux console has more power then the Windows command prompt, but it does what it needs to do.

paul wrote:
In many film studios, Linux has become the favorite operating system (because of good software being ported to it (Maya, etc.)).

You should not compare a regular architects-office with a film studio. They have different needs. And it's not because their complete rendering farm is running Linux, that every workstation that is used is running on Linux as well (think about all the artists using non-Linux software as Photoshop, 3ds max, After Affects, Combustion etc...).

paul wrote:
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.

A dual boot system still doesn't run both of them at the same time.

paul wrote:
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!

FWIW, php might just as well be running on a Windows server. I don't say it is on this page, but it's perfectly possible.

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

I can also recommend the Suse Live-Eval (a bootable CD-Rom with a complete running Suse-version and no need to reformat or modify anything on your PC. It can store a few files for preferences and caching but even that is optional. And Knoppix is also available.

paul wrote:
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.

Sure, there are some alternatives but not for everything. Especially when there is a need for "creative" software, like sound editing, game development, graphical work. For more day-to-day administrative tasks, there are choices.
There are a few sound alternatives, but either they are very basic or they are as expensive as on Windows or Mac and then it's better to stay where you are. I don't think a tool like ACID, Cubase and similar actually exists on Linux.
I also think about 3D-Web plugins, like Cult3D, EON, TurnTool, Viewpoint, Anark, ... The ones that are completely plugin-free (e.g. Java-based) will probably work.