Some ppl work well in GUI mode, some in text-mode and some prefer combination of both.

Please note that Linus says he uses firefox for browsing. Tht is GUI.

Atleast we should praise Linus for understanding his basic mode of getting things done, and following it.

I’ve come across a plethora of websites that address this topic of GUI vs. text -based programs, all of which claim (and back up) the opinion that text-based programming/use is, in general, more efficient and more powerful. That so many of these websites exist is why I’m so surprised that so many people think that GUI oriented programs are still the “way to fly”.

Note*: Of course there are exceptions, such as drawing graphics and such. Also, if people can direct me to websites that argue otherwise, I’d love to have a look.

I have just recently been trying to incorporate more text-based programs into my daily computer use (such as mutt for email, and vimperator for web browsing). Whether or not it is faster, I don’t really care. But the fact that my fingers rarely have to leave the keyboard is far more comfortable than periodically having to switch between the keyboard and mouse. It means I can better focus, and thus be more productive.

GUIs in a way trade power for ease-of-use. They turn novice computers users into competent ones, but at the same time its hard for users to advance much further than this.

But make no mistake: using text-based apps take a lot more effort to learn. If your a part-time computer user its probably not worth investing the time. However if your a power user like I’ll bet Linus is, you get much more bang-for-your-buck with text-based programs.

Linus can get away with it because there’s pretty much nothing he could do to detract from the position he’s established for himself, but maybe its not a good way for the rest of us to operate.