[sjs]

> It's silly to pretend that Mac is somehow perfect in these matters.

Straw man. Nobody said OS X was perfect.

> In my experience it's only been marginally better than Linux, if at all.

I used Linux on my desktop for several years and have now used Macs as well for several years. I won't say this is bullshit because I don't think you are lying about your experience, but I think you are extrapolating way too far.

> And with Linux you have some hope of finding a solution, whereas for OS X you're pretty much hosed.

Forums and mailing lists are "hope for a solution" while the genius bar is "pretty much hosed"? How on earth did you arrive at this conclusion? That just doesn't seem reasonable.

[wheels]

I don't see any material difference between "hardware compatibility just works" and "hardware compatibility is perfect".

As for fixing the issue, both of my issues were kernel issues, as are most hardware compatibility issues. On OS X reverting to a previously working kernel would have meant backing up all of my data, reinstalling the OS from the DVDs, installing the combo update to the last working version of the complete OS (10.6.6), restoring my data (but not using Time Machine) and then never allowing another OS upgrade, including not updating the apps that come with the OS.

On Linux it would have been a matter of downloading the previous kernel package and installing it. That's it. The package managers are usually smart enough to figure out that you've forced a previous version of the package and won't replace it in future updates.

Neither solution would have been doable for a novice, but the Linux solution is far easier for an expert and a generally more palatable solution. And note, this was Apple's OS breaking Apple's hardware.

[lelandbatey]

I still hold that Linux has a lot of "usability." It is extremely useful, extending itself into every possible use I can think of. It is an extremely useful tool.

That said, maybe Linux in it's current stage isn't destined for the pickup approach of Windows or OS X. I believe that Linux is not following the same path as Windows or OS X, and because of that it may not end up at the same destination.

I agree with the original article; Linux is produced differently, often with different goals than Windows or OS X. Trying to shoehorn it into the same path as Windows or OS X may not prove fruitful till we see someone with the drive to change everything onto the design path that Windows and OS X are taking.

[pfranz]

Since you mentioned using Time Machine, why not revert to a good state using that (instead of a re-install)?

[rgbrgb]

I really don't want to have to think about the kernel when I'm plugging in a new monitor.

[vidarh]

Neither does anyone else, but when faced with a kernel issue that's what you're stuck with regardless which OS you use.

[eitland]

Strawman argument invalid: Mac being marginally better is a valid point because GP builds his argument on Mac being better.

[farinasa]

Genius bar solution: Wipe device.

Every time.

[lttlrck]

That's the genius of it.

[tesseractive]

Really? That reminds me of Microsoft technical support circa 1993:

Step 1: have you tried rebooting the machine?

Step 2: have you tried reinstalling Windows?

I thought those days were over.