Well expectations... First my background. I'm a long time MS user, and not unsatisfied with their software, but now totally unsatisfied with their privacy invasion and business practices. I have tried various incarnations of Linux for the last 4 years, and found it not ready for prime time. With Mandrake 8, I feel that Linux is now a reasonable desktop OS, even a great desktop OS. But for desktop applications it is a nightmare, less that 30% of the software I want to use has an available Linux alternative. I might add that I'm also a ERP consultant and coder and spend 8 to 16 hours of each day involved in serious computer work. Now, expectations from this group. CAD is part of my common computer uses because I relax by working with my hands, woodworking, and I use CAD software in my design process. CAD is definitely a place where Linux is seriously lacking. Odd that a system so well designed for a workstation would be lacking software in such a common workstation application. I've been even less enthused after seeing that at least half of the messages here regard people trying to get Windows emulators working so they can run Windows CAD programs. I would never add an extra layer of distraction to any computer work. My expectation? That if there is eventually a Linux CAD app that is reasonable that I will see it here first and be able to put that on my Linux machine and get closer to leaving the MS world. It is hard to watch Linux groups in general because they seem to be more involved in a social politic than on a working system. While I love open software I do not need or particularly want free software. I feel that those who do the work should be paid. Unfortunately it seems that people feel it is blasphemous to create a commercial app for Linux and therefore companies shy away from writing for Linux. Hence the wasteland. I hope this will change soon. Well that is both my expectation or hope, not only regarding this list but also regarding Linux in general. Thanks, John ----- Original Message ----- From: "phrostie" <pfrostie@xxxxxxxxx> To: <cad-linux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2002 7:50 AM Subject: [cad-linux] expectations > > for the past few months the number of members of the list has been growing. > I'd like to thank all our members who've signed up. > for the past few months the number of post have been steadily rising. > once again i'd like to think those who've contributed. > > this morning we had our first ever unsubscribe. > I won't give out the name or address, but i would like to ask everyone else > what their expectations for this list are? > > I think mine are well known, to share information and expierence so that > linux will be accepted as the engineering/cad platform that i know it is. > I work Catia/AIX by day. i can't count the number of times one of my bosses > has asked me if i could do something, and my answer was "well i could if i > was at home or on linux". > > I would like to hear from others, on list or off. > we're off to a good start, but if we are loosing people this soon, i have to > wonder is there something more that is needed. > > we have users sharing what works. > we have developers posting updates and asking for feedback. > I been posting annoucements from other lists about new releases. > > what can we do to keep the momentum moving forward? > > Phrostie > -- > Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of DOS, > and danced the skies on Linux silvered wings. > http://pfrostie.freeservers.com/cad-tastrafy/ > //www.freelists.org/list/cad-linux >