07-06-2005, 11:50 AM
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News Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,553
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Typhoon
why hasn't Linux really become a useful desktop OS (for the average nontechie)? Or am I wrong here? Can I give Grandma a copy of Linux, and let her install and use it w/out my help?
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Haha, I doubt it. The fact that a lot of Linux redists are free makes it an enticing option, but as I said earlier, you need to do a lot of fiddling before you can get things to work the way you want it to. That, coupled with the fact that not all vendors release drivers for the Linux platform, means that Windows and Mac OS will always be in front in the desktop OS market. |
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07-06-2005, 12:25 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 795
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Darius Wey
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Typhoon
why hasn't Linux really become a useful desktop OS (for the average nontechie)? Or am I wrong here? Can I give Grandma a copy of Linux, and let her install and use it w/out my help?
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Haha, I doubt it. The fact that a lot of Linux redists are free makes it an enticing option, but as I said earlier, you need to do a lot of fiddling before you can get things to work the way you want it to. That, coupled with the fact that not all vendors release drivers for the Linux platform, means that Windows and Mac OS will always be in front in the desktop OS market. |
lol Yea I see. Oh well... |
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07-06-2005, 01:18 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,207
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I think its more than just the drivers.
IMO the effort to improve the user experience on linux is seriously lacking. Probably because there is no real focus in that area. Anyone putting real money into linux is targetting back services for businesses.
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07-06-2005, 04:28 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14,942
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sojourner753
IMO the effort to improve the user experience on linux is seriously lacking. Probably because there is no real focus in that area.
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That's not completely true. The KDE group, in particular, deserve commendation for their efforts in improving the user interface -- KDE 3.4 is quite impressive in its polish.
However, the "problem" with Linux is that, having a decentralized development model, there's no real incentive or requirement to standardize on one API. As a result, you have different graphical toolkits, each with their own idiosyncrasies, and this leads to a less consistent interface for the end-user. Couple this with the fact that traditional UNIX believes in command-line operation, and you have a solution that's not immediately intuitive.
Compare this to Apple or MS -- their APIs are tightly controlled, and while this means you're stuck with vendor lock-in, at least the experience is consistent across the board.
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Anyone putting real money into linux is targetting back services for businesses.
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Right, because there you have the sysadmins who are comfortable with the command-line.  The Linux kernel itself is solid, too, which helps with services that have to run for long periods of time.
--janak |
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07-06-2005, 09:18 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 795
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Has anyone tried Lindows? What do you guys think of it? You guys think it is a major improvement vs. other distros to be a desktop OS?
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07-07-2005, 02:26 AM
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News Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,553
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Typhoon
Has anyone tried Lindows? What do you guys think of it? You guys think it is a major improvement vs. other distros to be a desktop OS?
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I've not tried it, but I heard it's a great step for newbies making the move from Windows to Linux. The cruncher is that it's not free, but you get what you pay for. |
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07-07-2005, 02:55 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 795
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Hmmm... so w/out the driver support, Linux will almost never become a great desktop OS like Windows, huh? I mean great in that it's the most reliable for any newbie off the street. Because any nontechie who needs to use their computer for their brand new hardware like printer, camera, etc. doesn't want to have to fiddle w/hardware drivers. This fact alone seems to clash w/those linux distros who try to compete w/Windows for the normal nontechie....
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07-07-2005, 04:15 AM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 14,942
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Typhoon
Hmmm... so w/out the driver support, Linux will almost never become a great desktop OS like Windows, huh?
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More than just driver support -- application availability is also important. In fact, I think FC4's driver support is surprisingly good.
--janak |
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07-07-2005, 05:08 AM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 795
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And I guess games poses a problem as well. If you want to run games, better get a windowsbox.
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07-07-2005, 12:43 PM
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News Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,553
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Typhoon
And I guess games poses a problem as well. If you want to run games, better get a windowsbox.
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There are plenty of games available for the Linux platform, but yes, for the main titles you see in stores, you'd be better off running Windows. |
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