[Elecraft] Elecraft's linux utilities - somewhat OT, or maybe not

[Phil Wheeler]

I can relate, Bill. I prefer Macs with OS X, but 
both have SSDs and both are dual boot with Windows 
7 -- because there are things I can do that way 
but not in OS X. I also have two Windows machines 
-- a Win7 desktop I use for ripping CDs/DVDs and 
burning same (the fast optical drives are great as 
is the software), and a Win 8.1 laptop dedicated 
to the ham shack (and which I managed to look like 
a Win 7 computer because Win 8/8.1 is a beast, IMO).

My two Linux machines are experimental, a 
Raspberry Pi (x2) and a Beaglebone Black. Fun, but 
not for my daily use.

Elecraft is somewhat unique (I think) in provided 
support in their utilities for Linux: Good for them!

I recently decided to make my Win 8.1 laptop dual 
boot (Win 8.1 plus Ubuntu). I ended up with an 
Ubuntu only computer; getting Win 8.1 back was a 
bit of a struggle so I'll not go there again.

Phil W7OX

On 5/27/14, 5:03 PM, Bill W2BLC wrote:
> I really have to chuckle regarding all the 
> various "simple" steps the Linux users go 
> through to get their computers to speak to the 
> K3. I have one machine set up for Linux - 
> although I am not really sure why. Everything I 
> do using a computer is so much easier on Windows 
> - including control of all the parts of my 
> K-Line. Download, install, and use - it doesn't 
> get much simpler than that.
>
> It took me over an hour to get a simple WiFi 
> printer operating on Linux Mint 17 this 
> afternoon (driver issues). Took me less than 
> five minutes on the Win 8.1 machine. I use a 
> network for my printers and all the computers 
> share the same printers - Windows and Linux.
>
> Having said all that, I cannot imagine spending 
> a bunch of time getting Linux up and running 
> with the K-Line software much less having faith 
> in its ability to correctly operate/update the 
> K-Line.
>
> I am not trolling, I really would like an honest 
> answer as to why Linux is chosen over Windows 
> for similar operations. I play with Linux and 
> work with Windows. I have been dealing with 
> computers and software design since the late 
> 1970s - so I am not living in a cave.
>
> If you reply to my question - and all you are 
> going to do is take me to the woodshed, then 
> kindly don't bother.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line