Why is Linux considered by some to be the poor mans operating system?

I was quite put out when this was suggested at the pub over the weekend.





I just choose to use Linux as I consider it superior.





Has anyone else experienced such sweeping comments.

Why is Linux considered by some to be the poor mans operating system?
Hi, I think its just the way people think. People when they meet Mac users think they r rich cause Macs r expensive, many people think Windows users r pirates and thats why when people meet Linux users they think they r either very intelligent or poor.





One thing is a fact though, Windows users have always pirated something or another at least once, and Linux users r always intelligent. The problem is that many companies think Linux users r poor as well and thats why they don't support it much. I wouldn't say I am very rich, but I am not poor either. Now that Linux is getting popular people will realize Linux is for everyone and not just for the rich or poor.
Reply:That needs some history to be recounted..





Here is what in a nutshell. In the early days of Linux and Free Software movement, everything about Linux was a big news for the whole world. Then, one fine day, a Russian govt. official comes to a LinuxWorld show. There, the founder of VA Linux explains him how the Free Software movement is beginning to subvert the hegemonies weilded by people like Microsoft. All the time while the CEO was explaining, the Russian govt. official nods his head "NO". In the end, the CEO asks, what? The Russian govt. official says: This is what we called communism and it got defeated in our soil (by you Americans). (This had happened after 1993, hence, it is a Russian and not one from USSR)





Communism is seen as a poor man's idea. Free and Open Source movements are often likened to communism at ideological levels. Thus, FOSS is seen as a poor man's idea and its flagship product, Linux, is seen as a poorman's OS.
Reply:I would suggest that those that say something like that know that Linux is free, and thus just assume you are trying to be cheap by not purchasing something commercially available. Next time ask for a technical reason as to why they would say that. Most likely they will not have anything, so you will know that its pointless even trying to argue.
Reply:Acctually the poor people use windows
Reply:I have been told that Linux is intelligent man's operating system.