why Unix?

[Don]

Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:
> Ralf Schneider wrote:
>>> If I were to quickly give the most significant bit of my opinion, 
>>> that would be this: Unix is for programmers and Windows is for end 
>>> users. As such, even though both ultimately accomplish the task of 
>>> putting a computer's resources at your disposal, their foci are 
>>> different. You're a programmer. So the notion that there is an 
>>> operating system catering to your needs may warrant a closer look.
>>
>> Well,
>>
>> to have at least one different opinion:
>>
>> I'm playing around with Linux since the first year when Linus released 
>> the source code. I have hacked the kernel for fun.
>> I'm usix AIX, HP-UX, Red Hat, Solaris and Windows at work as a 
>> programmer.
>>
>> And my opinion is: *NIX sucks. Linux was great comapred to DOS and 
>> Windows 3.11. But since Windows NT4.0 - Linux (POSIX) just seems 
>> outdated. Quality and stability of APIs, general Architecture, 
>> documentation, etc.
>>
>> I prefer Windows any time.
>>
>> I hate emacs and vi. The command line tools are OK, but nothing 
>> compared to a modern IDE with a stable debugger and analysis tools 
>> like "Source Insight". Everything on Unix feels like it was 20 years 
>> ago. Nothing seems to change, the old poor tools. No progress, just 
>> stagnation. Oh I forgot to mention "Shell scripts!" - UAHHHHH! Ever 
>> tried python or ruby?
>> I seriously think Unix fetishists are masochists... Yes I can programm 
>> in vi and compile on the command line - if necessary. But I expect 
>> more after 20 years of tools development!!!
>>
>> To be fair: I think AIX and HP-UX are really rock solid! But I would 
>> never use a server os as a desktop os!
>>
>> What I want from an OS as a progammer: Performance! High responsive 
>> GUI. Powerfull professional tools, like a modern IDE. Stable APIs. 
>> Good documentation.
>>
>> Windows can deliver.
>>
>> I have never touched OSX. So I don't know.
>>
>> Linux as a desktop is a kindergarten of wannabe design archtiects: 
>> Wobbling windows, KDE disaster, permanent changing APIs, slow 
>> performance (ever compared Eclipse on Windows and Linux?).

Is Eclipse SLOWER on Linux than Windows? It's notoriously slow on Windows!

>>
>> Linux as a server: Is OK. I mean it's free! I don't expect the same 
>> reliability as AIX...
>>
>> - Ralf
> 
> Well at least you've got to make up your mind. It's amazing how you 
> mention instability in three instances and stagnation in two instances, 
> without ever noticing the irony. What's happening?
> 
> Andrei

The instability seemed to be about "Linux as a desktop".