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piper - 19.08.2006, 15:40 Uhr
Titel: The Linux Desktop Myth

Roughnecks - 19.08.2006, 16:49 Uhr
Titel: RE: The Linux Desktop Myth

i just cross read this one, but there are hundreds of linux desktop articles.
everytime i read such an article i wonder: don't people understand linux is an operating system, a kernel?
yes, a OS can have a desktop integrated (like windows xp), but, IMHO a OS does and should not provide a desktop environment.

anyway, linux is an OS, and a desktop is something you can put onto that OS to work better and easier with your computer. now, choose your desktop: gnome, kde, icebox, whatever.

so, tell me, does windows support desktops? no. it clearly supports only one standard desktop. so i wonder: why is windows ready for the desktop? you can't even install a new desktop you like!!!

you can isntall a desktop on linux, so linux is ready for the desktop. it's the question wether the desktops are ready. and my answer is yes: kde and gnome are fully working, stable, user friendly and mighty desktop environments.

i never used a mac, so i don't know about them Winken

fatbloke - 20.08.2006, 21:11 Uhr
Titel: RE: The Linux Desktop Myth

An interesting read.

Though as Roughnecks already alludes to it, most people don't understand what linux actually is.

Not only that, but they have little or no idea how windows works.

Sure, they understand how to use their applications, but usually only to a very limited level. They, invariably, have never even attempted to do something to change how it actually does things.

As soon as we linux types mention anything, you can see them glaze over. The level of apathy is incredible.

This isn't surprising though, because most PC users (windows ones that is) think that windows is free, they don't appreciate that they had to pay for it, but the cost is included in the price that they paid. They've also been exposed to all those "glossy adverts" from MS about how windows is the only system available.

So trying to get them to convert is usually an uphill struggle.

My example, is that my Aunt (late 70's in age) had got along fine for years using Win98SE, she slavishly fired up the AV software as soon as the system was up and running, ran the spyware apps, windows update, etc etc. Eventually, the adverts got the better of her, and she spent out on a nice shiney new AMD64 based system that should have been the answer to all her prayers.

Yes, I've suggested linux a number of times.

Anyhow, she'd had her new system just over a month (same routine i.e. AV/Spyware/Updates etc etc), when I get a paniced phone call. She'd picked up a virus/malware/trojan/something. I explained that I wasn't available for a couple of days. She said that a neighbour had a son who was attending the local Uni doing some sort of IT degree. I said to ask if he was available, as he'd probably be able to get there sooner than me.

I then get the return phone call to say that the neighbours son had fixed the problem ok, but he'd suggested that she have a dual boot system, for email and browsing - then just use the windows install for her digital photo stuff (she's familiar with photoshop or similar).

So she's now waiting for me to have a bit of time to go round and install Kubuntu for her.

I'd say that she's pretty typical inasfaras she wouldn't have bothered if it wasn't for additional unbiased opinion/suggestion that she'd be safer if she has linux available for the usual reasons.

Anyhow, that's my view.

regards

fatbloke

piper - 20.08.2006, 21:24 Uhr
Titel: RE: The Linux Desktop Myth

An interesting reply

Welcome fatbloke Winken

slam - 20.08.2006, 22:12 Uhr
Titel: RE: The Linux Desktop Myth

I really love the aunt story.

She must be a clever person for her age, using Photoshop, demanding Ubuntu, handling dual-boot .... wow!

Most people I convert are probably not more stupid, but simply not that interested in IT. They are professionals in very different fields (where I usually am the dummy), and simply want to do their stuff. They don't care where the operating system comes from (some don't even care how it looks like), but they care for having reliable internet access, a mail application one can count on, some place to store files (one or two might even demand encrypted space), and printing & cd/dvd writing as usual. I am very lucky, as most of my friends/clients don't ask for Flash/Shockwave/Torrents/AllThoseToolsThatMightBeIllegalInYourCountry - really lucky.

Most of them used Windows before, and use Linux now - because I told them. And because I was fed up cleaning virus infected machines, I simply told them "I don't do it any more. If you still feel you need my support, you'll need Linux now." It was that easy. Later they started to discover the wonderland of free and open source software, they understood that this is also a social/political move - some even recognized that they've saved some money.

I stopped reading or even commenting the "Ready For The Desktop" stories more than 1 year ago. But I agree: "Most Windows power users are not ready for the Linux desktop." Everybody else is.

Greetings,
Chris

piper - 20.08.2006, 22:20 Uhr
Titel: Re: RE: The Linux Desktop Myth

slam hat folgendes geschrieben::

But I agree: "Most Windows power users are not ready for the Linux desktop." Everybody else is.

Greetings,
Chris

Well said !!