Desktop Linux (fwd)

[Randy Edwards]

Travis Roy wrote:
> You know why linux will fail on the desktop for most families..
> When Matt comes home with his new copy of Grand Theft Auto from the 
> store and can't play it because they're running that weird linux thing 
> rather then windows.

    I agree; this is a huge hurdle to overcome.  It can be overcome, but 
it's going to take years.

    A large part of it isn't that Linux software is so bad -- yes, much of 
the end-user software needs to be brought up a notch or two, but there are 
some really great, highly polished programs out there -- much of the problem 
is related to basic consumerism.

    I've talked with quite a few end users whose attitudes are that they 
don't want to be "bothered" downloading software.  They'd *rather* go to 
Best Buy and buy it -- after all, it's "only" $20 or $40.  It's the same 
mindset that allows idiots to rationalize buying herbal men's genital growth 
stuff (he says trying to avoid spam filters) from spammers -- sure, they 
know it probably won't work, but it's "only" $29.  And these people get a 
kick from spending that money -- it's what our capitalist society teaches.

    Call it consumerism, Veblen's conspicuous consumption, impulse buying, 
the unfamiliarity of downloading software -- anything.  But to correct the 
situation is going to require both getting some Linux software into stores 
on shelves (which means polished software, standardized packaging formats, 
semi-compromises on free software stances, and more), and, eventually, 
changing the habits of the consumers (and that isn't going to happen quickly).

    Needless to say, if Linux makes good headway on the corporate desktop in 
2004, we can chalk up a big win; I think we can say the end-user's desktop 
will have to wait a bit.

-- 
  Regards, | "There can be no effective control of corporations while
  .        | their political activity remains.  To put an end to it will
  Randy    | be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done."
           | -- President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt