[Qgis-user] What is the matter with QGis versus MS Windows?

[Mats Elfström]

Ok I'll take it all back the minute somebody writes to this list and reports
a flawless, standalone QGis installation on any Windows system with all
GRASS and Gdal dependencies working from the start.

Don't you realize that many users never get to choose OS?
Or needs to cooperate in environments where there is no choice?

And I am really insulted by the accusation that I as a Windows user,
automatically is regarded as an incompetent user with no care or concern
about my system. I've worked with computers since 1984 and I have learned to
take care of most problems. And I have invested lots of time and love and
money doing that.
I am using ESRI products. I am using MapInfo products. I am using FME. I am
using MicroStation. And I am using Windows. I would like to confidently add
QGis to my toolbox too, but resent being looked down upon. You seem to
regard Windows as something the dog dragged in, writing 'people fiddling
around with a Windows build' and so on.

See if you can find it in your heart to indulge with us ordinary people who
*has* to use Windows but still likes GIS and Open Source. I think the QGis
user community would grow and profit from that, and open source efforts must
behave like other software to gain acceptance.
I will not debate this further.

Regards, Mats.E

2009/11/29 Werner Macho <werner.macho at gmail.com>

> Hi all!
>
> Usually I just don't answer to such emails but in this case I completely
> agree with Paolo. Moreover I'd like to say that nobody is forced to use
> Linux. Just use the operating system you think that is best for you.
>
> And as paolo said it seems that you're a user that don't want to invest
> something (time, money, love). So what? - if you use Windows - you
> obviously have enough money to buy it - so what about using GIS Software
> written just for Windows? (ESRI?)
>
> It is indeed just easier to compile and write open software with and
> under open software (sic!)
>
> I for my person can just say a big thank you to all the people fiddling
> around with a Windows build .. and releasing QGIS also for Windows.
> (brings me to the question why MapWindow is Windows only)
>
> I like the viewpoint of not asking which program is running best on my
> OS rather then which OS is working best with the program i like to use.
>
> Complaining about things others created is the easiest way to go.. Come
> on join us - and bring your experience with windows to QGIS. I know
> thats the harder way -  but much more people would benefit from this way
> then from a complaining mail (wheres the bugreport?) and not
> recommending QGIS for Windows systems.
>
> But I still hope that you give QGIS a try from time to time when windows
> support is improved..
>
> regards
> Werner
>
>
> On Sun, 2009-11-29 at 15:47 +0100, Paolo Cavallini wrote:
> > Mats Elfström ha scritto:
> > > There are dozens of Mac and Linux versions with funny names but only
> two
> > > Windows versions that apparently never works satisfactorily.
> > > I have all but given up recommending QGis for Windows systems.
> >
> > Hi Mats.
> > I think you are wrong: I do not use windows myself, but I am running a
> looong series
> > of very successful courses, most of them on windows, and I always report
> all the
> > problems encountered (see trac issues), which are very occasionally
> different on
> > windows systems because of specific idiosyncrasies. The same can be said
> of OSX systems.
> > What is true is that many (but not all, fortunately) windows users
> pretend a system
> > that just works, without bothering to invest anything (time, money, love)
> on it. This
> > is not how free software works. If you are using a piece of software, and
> you find a
> > problem, you have the choice of fixing it yourself, or pay someone to fix
> it. Of
> > course, you can always complain about it and/or stop using the program,
> it's your
> > choice, but IMHO this is not the best option.
> > All the best.
>
>
>
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