I suppose I will have to install Windows (Blech.)
Written by on in Snaking.


With Python 2.5 out, probably need to build a binary of PyOpenGL-SWIG. That requires re-installing Windows (both machines are corrupt), then getting the whole MS-Toolkit compiler-chain re-built (double blech). Windows is a serious PITA.

The worst part is that I'm actually contributing to the monopoly-value of Windows (network effects) when I support libraries on it, which is annoying given that I would rather spend my energy supporting projects working for the public good. Sure, there's the "cross-platform code lets people migrate off the platform more easily" argument, but it still feels wrong to be installing it when I could be working on more universally beneficial things.

Comments

  1. Joe

    Joe on 09/22/2006 2:51 a.m. #


    Why not install it in a virtual machine. Keep a backup so it shouldn't become corrupt and you can easily go back to your preferred setup. No need to tie up extra hardware as well.

  2. Luke Plant

    Luke Plant on 09/22/2006 5:39 p.m. #


    I'd second the comment from Joe about virtual machines. Use qemu-img to create an empty vmdk, use VMWare Player to install and run the OS.<br />
    <br />
    I feel the same way as you about using Windows, both in terms of the pain of using it, and the effect it has on others. It helps to look on it as keeping yourself fed while you *also* do more positive things. And it's computers, after all, not religion :-)

  3. Mike Fletcher

    Mike Fletcher on 09/24/2006 12:41 p.m. #


    I was under the impression that virtual machines didn't tend to have particularly good access to the OpenGL driver. Of course, at this moment I can't even get the stupid video driver to install in windows, so that's not a big difference...

  4. Mike Fletcher

    Mike Fletcher on 09/24/2006 12:42 p.m. #


    Oh, regarding "feeding myself", the only time I have to load windows is to support Open Source projects that have nothing to do with my company's work. Everything we do for money is on Linux or FreeBSD. Yay.

  5. Joe

    Joe on 09/25/2006 12:32 a.m. #


    True, for testing and actual use it might not be so good in this case. It may still be handy for a build environment that needs a fair bit of work to get going (and would be handy to keep safe). Sounds lik e it is a bit late now though. Good luck with the drivers.<br />

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