Desktop Linux (fwd)

Michael Costolo mcostolo at yahoo.com
Wed Feb 25 11:52:28 EST 2004


--- Jon maddog Hall <maddog at li.org> wrote:
> You are right that Linux will fail on most at-home desktops in 2004-2005
> because of a lack of "cool" software.

Would you define "cool" software?  Frankly, I am of the opinion that Linux comes
with lots of cool software.  Or at least, lots of cool software runs under Linux (my
apologies for the pedantry).  But being a physicist, I suppose my geek factor is
pretty high.  What "cool" apps would you say are currently lacking for (non-geek)
families?  

> It will also fail because the normal "support line" of at-home desktops
> (the church, the club, the nextdoor neighbor) will not be there in 2004-2005
> because it is not being used at work in 2002-2003.  

I am sure that some LUG members and Linux-using nonmembers go to churches, clubs, or
have neighbors.  A good percentage of the traffic on this list is "how do I" sorts
of questions.  I have found the Linux community to be exceptionally knowledgeable
and willingly helpful with respect to day-to-day as well as the more complicated
problems/issues.  Is this not the "alternate support line" you speak of?  If not,
why not?  

And does the acceptance of Linux on the desktop at home *really* depend on people
using Linux at work?  I work with lots of folks who have used, for example,
Microsoft products at work for years but are absolutely useless when it comes to
(platform related) problem solving.

It would seem to me that the infrastructure you speak of needing already exists. 
Perhaps it is more of an advertising/awareness problem?

Regards,

-Mike-

=====
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it"
-George Bernard Shaw

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