What is Digg?103 Comments
- djchester, on 08/11/2008, -6/+604% - Not bad, closing in on apple it seems.
- phil2490, on 08/12/2008, -3/+391: Most modern distros have enough GUI applications and enough "glue" that you never see the command line if you don't want to.
2: Dependencies use to be a large problem when you had to manually fix problems and install libraries. Tools like apt and yum make installing software with dependencies as easy as one "universal" file
3: Decisions about UI are made by the distro maintainers and the people that write Desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, etc...). Most all gnome apps follow the same overall design (same buttons, icons, and behaviors), and the same is true for KDE. Applications that are not integrated into a DE might look slightly different, but they don't suddenly disappear and show a terminal.
Linux is not perfect, but those are far from large problems - slugicide, on 08/12/2008, -3/+29I don't think Apple's overpriced laptops will, in the end, be able to outsell the dirt-cheap Linux netbooks. Just as BMWs will never outsell little asian economy cars.
- slugicide, on 08/12/2008, -0/+25***** straight "banner year." Today I saw a Bank of America commercial. Guess what browser they were using? Yeah, that browser that people, two years ago, were mocking for having such a tiny market share. Turns out, people really like free software. Go figure.
- argylesocks, on 08/11/2008, -5/+27I don't want last quarter machines with 15 inch screens. I want what the article says, a totally different device that is made for surfing the net on the go, editing documents and other basic tasks at the lowest price point. Only Linux has been able to deliver this so far.
- daftman, on 08/12/2008, -0/+221. Some command line options are designed for advance users. Average users don't need those options.
Nevertheless most application are just GUI front end for command line options, e.g k3b, update manager, gwet, etc
2. What the ***** are you talking about? You only need internet connection when you are updating your box. How is this different from Windows Update that nag once every 5 seconds and Apple Update that run in the background?
3. Are you the "average user". Why would the average user bother changing the format of their clock especially when it automatically detect the region and adjust to the regional settings. If you are arguing on behalf of average user, then do so. Average user don't make system alterations. They get the default installation and stick with it. - daftman, on 08/12/2008, -3/+22Ah the same things anti-linux fanboys go over and over.
> 1. The average user finds any use of the command line to be completely unacceptable. (no hand editing configuration files either.)
Average user never need to use the command line in Linux. If you ever use any modern Linux distro like openSuse or Ubuntu everything an average user does can be done in a GUI. For example, EEEpc, Everex.
> 2. Dependencies are unacceptable, all install files need to be 1 universal file that works on all the systems. (like everyone else has been able to do.)
This is where you clearly have no idea what you are on about. It's inefficent and stupid to package every single file in one universal installer especially when application share libraries. Not only does it produce something like DLL-Hell in Microsoft Windows (Assemblies Hell with dotNet), it would tax the bandwidth of downloading the same information over and over again.
> 3. UI must be consistent and make it easy to change and view system settings. Often Linux just reverts back to a command line for this and compared to windows the UI is often a complete mess that has been slapped together (Glade interface designer anyone?)
Oh cry me a ***** river. Microsoft Office UI is never consistent with the rest of the OS UI and neither does it remain consistent over different version. With Linux, if you pick Gnome then all the gnome applications are consistently the same, likewise with KDE. If people can use websites with different GUI designs and layouts what make you think they have trouble using Linux?
>Go ahead and bury me, but I'll still be right and you'll still be losing.
Lalalala, i'm right, i'm right, lalalalalaLLALALA, i'm right, i'm right - 16777216, on 08/12/2008, -0/+15"servers for packages are often unreachable and that poses a problem"
Out of the ~5 years using linux I have never had a problem reaching any repository server on any distribution, ever.
Maybe you should delete your cache and reboot to freshen your blue e drivers. - harlowsmonkeys, on 08/12/2008, -3/+18Interesting that the submitter in the past has repeatedly claimed that Gartner can't be trusted, lies, etc. Here's one example:
http://boycottnovell.com/2008/04/03/gartner-lies-a ...
Why does he believe them now? - josepablos, on 08/12/2008, -11/+25ubuntu rocks !
- skywake, on 08/12/2008, -0/+13Does the higher price mean its better? I would rather spend $600AU on a laptop that does the job over a $1600AU Laptop that does the job and has a glossy finish.
- chris062689, on 08/12/2008, -3/+15I'd say Drivers are pretty much covered. (Much better than XP's OOTB experience)
Software? Have you seen the Repos? There filled with software!
I think Ubuntu just needs to get out there more.
Pressure companies to offer Ubuntu as an alternative.
Advertise on TV! - rolf, on 08/12/2008, -0/+12Ubuntu helped tremendously. Not that all people have to use it, but it proved an easy to use Linux desktop could be done to a lot of people.
Plus it's rate of improvement is astronomical. Windows will be hurting if it continues the next few years. MS can't afford to have Windows 7 be another dog like Vista (unwilling part-time Vista user here who sees the benefits and downsides of Vista...). I also hope that MS does away with all the silly home/premium/business/ultimate business and comes out with 1-2 flavors max. - PhishTahko, on 08/12/2008, -1/+11It's gaining on OSX real fast moron. It's no more niche than OSX.
- inactive, on 08/11/2008, -11/+20Linux is only getting bigger and better. 2008 is the year of the Gnome.
- ElectricKetchup, on 08/12/2008, -0/+9Linux is a lot older than Gnome.
- kdesu, on 08/12/2008, -0/+8Except for the fact that it's used in industrial computers, supercomputers, routers, desktops, servers, and mobile devices, you could say that it's a niche OS.
- bowens44, on 08/12/2008, -0/+8So you're not familiar with Linux. Let me give you some advice, if you don't know what you're talking about, keep your mouth shut and you are less likely to look like an idiot.
- edzilla, on 08/12/2008, -0/+8Have you ever used a modern distro? I have yet to see the day the debian or ubuntu repository are down, except maybe the first 2 hours a new version is released...
- crystalchris, on 08/12/2008, -4/+12Look at in another way -- Linux accounts for 90%, Windows 10% in the ultra-low-cost notebooks market.
- nekroskoma, on 08/12/2008, -0/+8how exactly can you track the sales of something that is free
- Smwbigboss, on 08/12/2008, -0/+7I think drivers and software are fine. Its the lack of advertising and vendor support that's hurting it. Nobody is going to use Linux if they never heard of it before and nobody is selling computers preinstalled with it.
- sloppychris, on 08/12/2008, -1/+8Some people interpret a higher price to mean better quality.
There are examples where raising prices actually increase sales. Depending on the price point, people can associate the lower price as "expensive poor quality" but a higher price as a "affordable on good quality".
Food for thought. - Kral, on 08/12/2008, -0/+7Netflix's "Watch it Now" is purposely excluding Linux - it's not that they're lazy. It was likely a part of their deal with Microsoft to distribute video on the XBox 360. You'll note the Netflix guy that said Linux support was coming soon is no longer saying anything about it.
How do you propose we fix that? When we have more desktop users, such deals will be harder to make. We just have to deal with being slowed down at the start until we have a foothold in that market. - hugolp, on 08/12/2008, -0/+7Windows Mobile is (by far) the least used mobile operating system in the world. Even the iPhone OS has allredy more presence than Windows Mobile, so I think sync with Windows Mobile is low on the list. There are other mobile system way more important and that should get worked first.
- hugolp, on 08/12/2008, -1/+7@Zaggynl there is more software for linux than for windows.
Drivers is almost there, still some things to be done, but almost all is covered. - Kral, on 08/12/2008, -0/+6If Canonical can just stop failing at the business side and get Ubuntu into the Netbook arena, then we'd have something. They've even got a great product tailored for it, Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but the Netbook folk like Asus are still shipping crappy forks of Xandros. What's going on? Canonical should have been all over that from the beginning.
I don't know what their problem is re the business side of things. Linspire had a comparatively crappy product and a business plan with attention deficit disorder but their CEO got them all sorts of crazy deals with hardware companies and brick and mortar outlets. Now Canonical has a great product and no deals.. - slugicide, on 08/12/2008, -2/+8I'm sorry, but if you think about how many linux machines are on the Internet--the Kindle, eeepc (and other netbooks), cell phones, Ubuntu and Red Hat/Fedora users (plus all the other distros), all the Linux servers and all of the other niche Linux devices (routers, gateways, video recorders, etc.), and compare that with the *comparative* handful of people who have purchased the iPhone, I think you'll have to concede that the numbers you posted are ***** ridiculous. I mean, forget the Internet--Linux is obviously far more prevelant on just the Web.
- Balla79, on 08/12/2008, -0/+61998 I'd say.
- zeebo, on 08/12/2008, -1/+6Linux has hovered around 3% for a while now, going up to 4% isn't all that shocking. Last I knew Netbooks weren't counted in 'desktop' market share, and neither were other non-traditional computing devices like web tablets, smart phones, and set top boxes. If they were, Microsoft's market share would likely be quite a bit lower than their current 89%.
- Rapax, on 08/12/2008, -2/+7Drivers are better than on Windows or Mac already. Software is often better, usually equivalent, with a few things indeed still missing. Most notably, smoothly working sync software for Windows Mobile devices.
- schoate09, on 08/12/2008, -3/+8Not entirely, skywake.
Take it to the car analogy. My Acura (Honda) RSX has VTEC/ 5 sp. manual. I can get maybe 75/80% of the acceleration (0-60) an 8 cylnder BMW/Mercedes, given that it's a lighter frame.
I find my RSX to be quite stylish itself, roomy, comfotable, and quick. It does the job of getting me from place to place quite well, just as well as a BMW or Mercedes, and it's easy to tweak the Honda engine.
Heere's why more money doesn't mean better. According to consumer reports, BMW ranks middle of the line for reliability, but also, requiring expensive repairs when they are needed (see: Apple's "logic boards"). Mercedes Benz is almost the bottom of the list, just above the horrendous "Land Rover" vehicles (a subsidiary of Ford now). Honda/Acura, is, again, the top manufacturer for vehicle reliability.
I also get better gas mileage (battery life), on my Acura, all with my heavily tweaked (see: VTEC as a tuned/customized linux OS, vs OS X) engine from the factory, that is also much easier to be user modded.
In the end, my RSX is a 2003 model. I got the full deal on the non type S, (leather, etc), and it cost me:
$23,250
A comperable bmw or mercedes (I did look, although I did not have the money), would have cost upwards of $50,000. Some may have the BMW or Mercedes to fill their ego, or some may prefer them if they really want that last bit of performance or whatever. Myself, I paid what I know is enoguh money to get a solid machine that gets the job done.
Here's once where I can see cars directly related to computers. - trollick, on 08/12/2008, -0/+5It's Gartner. So for all we know the real number could be anywhere between 0 and 100%.
- mrBitch, on 08/12/2008, -0/+5@Springdaddy RE: "Linux will never become a "big-player" in the OS market; I'm not saying it isn't popular now, but compared to OS X it will never be as dominant."
I disagree - Linux is making HUGE gains in many areas, from embedded systems in your home ADSL wireless router, to being the backend servers that runs most of the internet services you come to rely on.
If anything, the stronger Linux gets, the stronger the presence of ALL *nix based OS become.
All power to Linux, and to the entire open source development community.
God speed, and may the growing mind share of Linux (one day) deliver us from this idea that an OS must always run anti-virus software as a permanent background process. - simg, on 08/12/2008, -1/+5@shadoweval09 - when was the last time you used linux ? 2006 ?
- arjie, on 08/12/2008, -0/+4Interesting. Any link on which sites that company uses to check these statistics. That's important because if many of their sites are for downloading screensavers, or are forums for mac users, the statistics may be skewed.
What I'd really like to see are google's figures. - wigren, on 08/12/2008, -0/+4My solution was to end the $20 a month I was sending them. I called and told the phone op. why I'm no longer a customer. No skin off my back, The Pirate Bay is universal.
- bowens44, on 08/12/2008, -1/+5that's ridiculous. Nearly all modern distros come with two choices as the default, KDE and Gnome and both are as easy if not easier to use then windows.
- trogdoor, on 08/12/2008, -1/+5There are valid criticisms of Desktop Linux, what you are presenting are not them. Brush up on your Linux hating so you don't look like such an ass:
http://linuxhaters.blogspot.com/
I seriously appreciate valid criticism, even when it's rude it can help bring to light serious problems and hopefully get them closer to being fixed; But you clearly are just trying to make yourself feel better by being a 'rebel'. Instead you look just as idiotic and annoying as the people who bash Vista without even trying it. - cantormath, on 08/12/2008, -2/+6They never seem to mention that there are more Linux computers ( Server+Desktops) then Windows (Servers+Desktops).
- flawedprefect, on 08/13/2008, -0/+4Out of interest - does anyone know how these statistics are gathered? How do I get to appear in that figure? I use Ubuntu, but have never once answered a questionaire or been data-mined to determine which OS I use at home. I doubt they're counting me, so perhaps this figure is lower than it should be? Sure, one user doesn't count for much, but how many of you Ubuntu users have ever been "officially" asked too?
- kwilliam, on 08/12/2008, -0/+3No, not GNOME! 2009 is the year of KDE (just ask Nokia and their Internet tablets). I read today that Nokia is porting Firefox to Qt!
- arjie, on 08/12/2008, -1/+4Maybe submitter believes in that old adage about stopped clocks? Or otherwise, submitter is saying, "See! This is the source you guys trust, see what it's saying now." Those are possible explanations.
- damagedone666, on 08/12/2008, -1/+4Stallman isn't the only one who gets credit when you say GNU/Linux. Linus is the only one who gets credit when you just say Linux. Fool!
- InorganicMatter, on 09/02/2008, -0/+2HAHAHA, no. 2009 will be the year GNOME fades into the background. With Nokia pushing Qt and KDE into all their appliances, it's only a matter of time before we finally all standardize on KDE. Mozilla porting Firefox to Qt speaks volumes. Argue the semantics all you want: install base is all that matters.
- v4vishal, on 08/12/2008, -1/+3Having many choice doesn't mean you *have to* use them all. Figure out which one you like and stick with it.
Same with 'educating users'. Teach them one and they can explore others they like. - ninjacob, on 08/12/2008, -1/+3Stallman has done an insane amount of work for the Free Software movement. Learn some history and STFU. Show some respect.
- inactive, on 08/14/2008, -0/+2Never use logic on windows fans... ever. I put Ubuntu on our desktop for my parents and believe me they are worse than average users. Yet they know how to click the Firefox icon, and open/edit their word/spreadsheet files. They never EVER use the command line.
Sorry shadoweva09, but you're way off. We can use the command line because its way more powerful and often easier but average users will never touch it and still get their job done. If they can check their email they're happy. As for dependencies, not since the days of RedHat7 have I ever had an issue with them. The shared libraries work fine, MUCH better than 10,000,000 DLL files all over the place (applies to programming with them too). - Pother, on 08/12/2008, -1/+34%... good, that's up from the 1% I last read about.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the netbooks/subnotebooks... - paulsmith288, on 08/12/2008, -1/+3good detective work.
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