In a back-and-forth with Groovechicken on G+ we started talking about using Linux as an everyday desktop OS and came upon the downfalls of the current Unity UI in Ubuntu. This got me thinking about how for a brief period you would see at least one editor claim that "This year will be the year of the Linux Desktop" but it never happens. For one reason or another users do not look to turn to Linux distributions for their primary means of computing: UI, software, media, etc, etc. For me I've always had to end up ditching it because of annoyances with making certain things work or software. At work I was using Ubuntu 10 for a few months but ultimately got rid of it because of need for a good RDP and Exchange client.
I just don't think it can ever break into the mainstream market. What do some of you think?
Discussion about
Will there ever be a year of the Linux desktop?
If it's coming, it's not coming soon, Linux has stayed at around 1% market share for a while now. Zdnet had an article on this recently actually: www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/the-year-of-the-linux-...
Why isn't more people switching to linux? Well the everyday consumer is someone who picks up a Windows or Mac machine and it's already got an OS on it. They have no real compelling reason to switch.
But is there anything wrong with that? The people who are using Linux are developers, designers open source advocates, etc. The people doing it because they believe in it (and the geek cred). Those are the kind of people that build software and contribute to the community (and can often be much more passionate (cough, and sometimes louder). That's why Linux rarely falls short of having an equivalent to whatever you can find on a mac or linux machine, despite there being far fewer users.
Unlike you, I was able to find apps on Linux for all my needs I was used to in Windows. I used Ubuntu as my sole OS for over 5 years. It's a fun niche to be a part of, something that you could argue might even wear off if it went mainstream, like how being a Apple-fanboy isn't AS cool anymore.
Why isn't more people switching to linux? Well the everyday consumer is someone who picks up a Windows or Mac machine and it's already got an OS on it. They have no real compelling reason to switch.
But is there anything wrong with that? The people who are using Linux are developers, designers open source advocates, etc. The people doing it because they believe in it (and the geek cred). Those are the kind of people that build software and contribute to the community (and can often be much more passionate (cough, and sometimes louder). That's why Linux rarely falls short of having an equivalent to whatever you can find on a mac or linux machine, despite there being far fewer users.
Unlike you, I was able to find apps on Linux for all my needs I was used to in Windows. I used Ubuntu as my sole OS for over 5 years. It's a fun niche to be a part of, something that you could argue might even wear off if it went mainstream, like how being a Apple-fanboy isn't AS cool anymore.
At the time when I was using Linux full-time I was spending a lot of time working with RHEL & Oracle so having a Linux based desktop to work with those two things was really helpful. Aside from the headaches the best part was probably the amount I learned during the time. So I think I have to agree with you there that those who turn to it do so because of the passion to learn.
To be honest, I hope it never does. The fundamental problem with Ubuntu right now is that they are trying to go mainstream. As a result, the default UI was designed to be more flashy, but has become a cause for derision and scorn among those of us who have used Linux regularly for years. Arguably, OS X didn't start falling apart at the seams (in terms of quality and bugginess) until Apple really switched to Intel and started trying to drive it further into the mainstream.
Truth be told, I have liked my little utopian island. I am free to leave it for the rare occasions that I need something that won't run in Linux. If average users start migrating to our island, they should have to suck it up and learn how to use and manage it like the rest of us did. If they aren't willing, then we don't want them coming over and spoiling our utopia. :)
Of course, the beauty of Linux is that, if they come along and bring their demands for simplified use which spoils everything, there is always the option to jump to another distro, or start a new one.
Truth be told, I have liked my little utopian island. I am free to leave it for the rare occasions that I need something that won't run in Linux. If average users start migrating to our island, they should have to suck it up and learn how to use and manage it like the rest of us did. If they aren't willing, then we don't want them coming over and spoiling our utopia. :)
Of course, the beauty of Linux is that, if they come along and bring their demands for simplified use which spoils everything, there is always the option to jump to another distro, or start a new one.
Honestly, I would consider giving it another go around using Kubuntu or Suse. I'm not big on KDE but the unity interface is so bad. Like you I thought they hit it right with UNR and I thought that's how unity would function but the whole search, docking thing was just annoying. I'll have to check out Gnome 3 though.
There are a lot of little touches I like in Gnome 3, but let little things like the horrible notifications were annoying me. I think it has potential, but I don't have time for fiddling right now. When things get a little less crazy, I will try it again. For now, I am happy enough with LXDE to buy me time.
