Why copy Microsoft 15371

Sandlin have there a emulate

Emulating windows is the biggest mistake the Linux community can make at this point. What has made Linux what is today is the design philosphy behind it--certain people now see it more convenient to chase after a user base even if it means betraying those very design principles and copying MS shamelessly *cough*Lindows*cough*. Linux was would be implemented--that users would be given all the components, but then have to arrange them themselves. Its about choice. Seperate mechanism from policy, engine from interface. Allow the user to choose and implement policy, using the mechanisms provided to him. This is the exact opposite of what MS has always done, implementing policy, tying interfaces inextricably to the engine. It destroys the idea of consumer choice.

If windows refugees refuse to switch to Linux on the ground that it doesn't treat them like a four year old and do everything for them, good. I don't want them polluting the design philosophy of Linux.

What the Linux community needs to do is take the UNIX-Linux design philosophy and carry it strongly into the desktop environment. Carry the UNIX culture into the desktop environment. Modularized design, interchangeable parts at every level that allows the user to organize his own solution based on his needs--something the user knows better than the developers. Give the user everything he needs and nothing he doesn't. KISS. These efforts too emulate windows interface design are in direct contravention to the most basic tenents of the UNIX culture, and an absolute mistake for Linux.