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- 10goto10, on 08/12/2008, -29/+211Some more:
2005 is the year of the Linux desktop!
2006 is the year of the Linux desktop!
2007 is the year of the Linux desktop!
2008 is the year of the Linux desktop!
2009 is the year of the Linux desktop! - cartisdm, on 08/12/2008, -6/+105The mad scientist thumbnail alone should've scared people away
- heartless_, on 08/12/2008, -12/+100Overall, the list just restates what has been said a million times elsewhere. I think the perception is real. Linux is a pain to manage on a regular basis unless you are a true diehard and stick with hardware that is compatible.
In my eyes, the greatest potential for Linux as an everyday OS is laptops, where security is increasingly more important. However, laptops is where the majority of hardware issues arise, especially wireless networking. Sure, its better, but it still is not clean in my experiences.
Also, with the general trend of most Linux distributions to become bloated to make it "user friendly" most Linux installs randomly break. Not because of Linux (the whole is Linux just the kernel debate), but because of the bloat.
Lastly, gaming. Yes, I am a gamer and Linux gaming is not worth the time of day currently. It is a fun project to get games working, but for the most part the time spent fixing ***** is better spent gaming and thus keeps me on the Windows bandwagon. Though, I do support Linux dual boots now. A sign to anyone that knows me, that Linux IS getting better. - mrfrosti, on 08/12/2008, -9/+82One of the main reasons that most people don't try Linux is there is no compelling benefit over Windows XP or Mac OS X. Its all about the quality of software.
- inactive, on 08/28/2008, -13/+64sorry, but until you never have to use the command line a single time, linux is never going to become mainstream.
normal people aren't going to want to ***** around with ndiswrapper and stuff just to make their computer usable - BlackJackJester, on 08/12/2008, -11/+60myth - setting up a RAID in Linux is hard as *****....TRUE
myth - there aren't too many high profile games native to Linux....TRUE
balls. - ostracize, on 08/12/2008, -6/+50Newbies can't install flash. Has this been busted yet?
- kaod, on 08/12/2008, -3/+45you need to remember that most people who use computers are pants-on-head retarded. desktop linux is certainly picking up steam but some elements are still too confusing for the masses.
- mwsherman, on 08/12/2008, -2/+40As an faithful Ubuntu convert (never going back to Windows), I take issue with lists like this. Linux just isn't ready for those with low levels of computer literacy.
1) Yes, Ubuntu is easy to install. Hopefully, your wireless will work out of the box. I give it 50%--at least half of users will have to whip our Ndiswrapper. remove Avahi, or do some other wacky things. Not to mention the default Ubuntu Wireless Network GUI is still not on the level of Windows' default.
2) Find me someone who has installed Ubuntu and used it for at least 3 months and never touched the Terminal. You might find a few. But only a few.
3) I agree on this one. Installing and managing applications is actually easier on Linux, assuming they are in the repositories. Thankfully most of them are. But you still have to add non-default repositories. Ubuntu needs to make the adding of dependent packages notification less scarier, but that's a UI issue only.
4) Linux can't match windows app for app, but it's good enough now for 99% of users.
5) Getting your Ipod/Iphone going in Linux is still not there. Itunes through Wine is possible, but find me someone who can set that up themselves who also hasn't used the terminal. And every time a new iPod comes out, Linux is a few weeks behind (and even then, it will require some work). Granted this is because of Apple checksum fascism rather than Linux, but the fact is the problem is still there. And finding a way to easily convert videos...good luck without the terminal or at least some serious work.
Even with Ubuntu Hardy, there are a handful of other issues that will scare human adopters away at this point. Pulseaudio anyone? It's because of things like this that I have yet to tell my human friends to switch to Linux. When they take the plunge, I want it to work (and I don't want them calling me every 5 minutes). I still feel Linux (Ubuntu) is at the point where something will go wrong, and it will be that much harder a year from now to convince them to switch when it really is there.
Go ahead and Digg me down, but to keep publishing lists like this that are only read by hardcore Linux users in self-congratulatory fits is to ignore the issues of Linux that are preventing mainstream users from adopting it.
We're close. We're not there yet. - bumcheekcity, on 08/12/2008, -16/+53You have to compile more than I would like in Linux. The amount I would LIKE to compile is "none".
I'm sorry that I don't want to download a .tar file, unzip it somewhere, run the make command, sort out the dependancies manually (which would make absolutely no sense whatsoever to the average user), compile and install manually. I'm sorry that I prefer downloading a single .exe file, double-clicking and then running a GUI which does everything for me.
I'm sorry that the RPMs etc. don't come out instantly, and you have to wait a day or so for them to be made for the latest version of a given program. I'm sorry that I like the fact that as soon as the latest Windows program comes out, I can download the .exe right away, without having to wait for people to make it into a DEB file or whatever.
Oh, and I'm sorry that I dont like having lots of different precompiled files (DEB, RPM, YUM, etc.) for different flavours of linux. Forgive me for this crazy opinion I have, it's just the kind of man I am. - wisam, on 08/12/2008, -2/+36A few years ago, all these "myths" about Linux were partially true.
But why should anybody care? I mean, I wish if more people use Linux but deep inside, I don't car that much. All I want is for widely-used, non-standard, vendor-specific formats to not cause me any compatibility problems. In other words, as long as I don't get harmed by people insisting on using Windows, I don't care that much.
I'll stick with Linux and it's flexibility and others will stick with Windows with it's "ease of use".
With all the web apps, it's already happening. - ExRe, on 08/12/2008, -5/+37Linux is easy to install provided all of your hardware works right away or works after connecting to the net to get updates.
Getting the back/forward buttons to work on your mouse for example is a nightmare. - Grokmoo, on 08/12/2008, -2/+33Why would you need flash if you have no net connection? Seriously, I am not being sarcastic, just curious.
- ebarras, on 08/12/2008, -6/+36Does anyone really care about this anymore?
- drmangrum, on 08/12/2008, -14/+40Honestly, why do all the Mac and Linux junkie feel the need to try and convert Windows users? It not like people don't know Mac and Linux are out there. If people are happy with what they have, leave them alone.
- santaliqueur, on 08/12/2008, -0/+24Dugg for pants-on-head retarded.
- FTLJohnson, on 08/12/2008, -5/+29myth - Photoshop CS2 runs like crap on Linux.... TRUE
myth Photoshop CS3 doesn't run at all.... TRUE
myth many other adobe apps you probably need don't run at all.... TRUE - bpoteat, on 08/12/2008, -5/+27"except wireless".
That's a pretty big exception. - upick, on 08/12/2008, -9/+31Myth# 1: Linux Installation is difficult.
I always thought so... I think windows has made me dumber. If you think about it everythings there your GUI, etc but with linux I always thought you have to learn all the raw commands to use it. I guess not! - HillerMylife, on 08/12/2008, -0/+19I'm pretty sure whoever wrote this article learned English as a second language.
- se1zure, on 08/12/2008, -8/+26Meh. Linux is still much harder to install on a new computer than vista. My video card and sound card worked fine out of the box with vista. Ubuntu required me to get drivers. and the ati radeon x1950 pro has no linux drivers besides this envy install program. Which I used to get the drivers. The envy install was easy, probably easier than ati's own install for windows. But the drivers suck. They are glitchy, and simply things like minimizing animations are laggy. Vista does the same thing sometimes, and in fact osx is the only operating system where the animations feel fluid and polished. Also, linux doesn't have an ideal alternative to the cs3 suite. And saying the terminal is not required is simply not true. Any real user will run into at least one situation where they are following commands off some forum. Sure it's not difficult, but don't give people the impression that they will be able to do everything they coudl do in windows without ever touching the terminal. Many 3rd part apps do require it.
oh and I dislike the linux interface. and it is nearly impossible to find a unified and universal theme that doesn't look like complete crap.
I have tried linux for a number of weeks. I wasn't disappointed, but I see no reason to switch when I end up emulating the programs I use most (office and cs3 (whole suite)). It is just too much work to get everything set, and there truly is NO benifit to using linux when I already own both XP and vista. - lnxfi, on 08/12/2008, -4/+22Look, it's a good server. There's no arguing that. As a desktop... it's a niche group and they like it. It's not the final answer or solution. Nothing is guys...
- bpoteat, on 08/12/2008, -2/+20Nobody's placing blame. It's just a fact.
- lolfanboys, on 08/12/2008, -3/+20No, there doesn't need to be a better reason.
If wireless doesn't work out of the box than Linux needs to give me a pretty ***** convincing reason to install it, not the other way around.
You're gonna have to give a better reason than "it's free", since I don't mind paying so long as everything actually works. - charlesray, on 08/12/2008, -5/+222. You still have to use the terminal to configure quite a few things unless you've hit that sweet spot hardware-wise where everything works perfectly. I've installed eight different distros on multiple systems and never had it work 100% out of the box.
4. You can't just throw out a big number and say Linux has applications. It still doesn't run a lot of Windows apps natively, and that is problem for most people.
5. Again, you can't do this out of the box. It's pretty absurd I can't install Linux and have support for ***** MP3s. - WhiskeyLemur, on 06/30/2009, -2/+18I'm willing to pay for something that allows me to game.
- rrife, on 08/12/2008, -9/+25At this point I don't really see what Linux buys any user. I could see back in the Win2k and early XP days that it may have taken off, but now the desktop is less relavent and there is no compelling reason to use linux. The bottom line is that Windows and MacOS have way more 3rd party application support, are way easy to use and have tech support out the wahzoo.....so why switch? And don't say it's more stable or secure, because from my experiences Linux is just as flaky as any other current platform. The only reason I can think anybody would consider it would be for the cost or multi-architecure support.....but anybody thinking of switching is probably run a COTS x86 PC that came preinstalled with Windows, so they've already spent the money and picked the hardware platform.
- WhoDoneIt, on 08/12/2008, -3/+18Um.. maybe because someone like me has NO knowledge of the ***** that just dribbled out of your mouth, hence it won't become mainstream.
- TRScheel, on 08/12/2008, -7/+22@czarr
What a joke. That is NOT easy. Easy is something where if you plug it in... it works. Guess what!? Windows & Mac manage that amazingly. Guess what OS doesnt?
Lets be entirely honest: Linux is not an easy to install OS. Having to go to the command line is NOT AN ADVANTAGE FOR THE JOE BLOW USER. This is a hindrance. Let me repeat that because I doubt it went through the first time
Having to research how to install trivial pieces of hardware and being required to use the command line repeatedly is a hassle, not to mention confusing for the average user. - arobar, on 08/12/2008, -2/+16It's that kind of attitude that makes people ignore your ideas. You're correct: Linux can be more stable, more secure, and of course is free. But saying, "Uh, what are you, and idiot? Here's why you're wrong!" will make people simply ignore what you're saying. If you want to spread the word, spread it intelligently. Nobody likes something crammed down their throats, especially if it's done by someone with a superiority complex.
- plarp, on 08/12/2008, -5/+19you sir are living a fantasy
- mrfrosti, on 08/12/2008, -0/+14What software exclusive to Linux are you referring to?
- solidus636, on 08/12/2008, -8/+222009 IS the year of the Linux desktop!! You just wait and see.
- WhiskeyLemur, on 06/30/2009, -0/+14I don't give a ***** WHOSE fault it it - Linux's, the developers', Bill Gates', God's, the Flying Spaghetti Monster's, I don't care. The bottom line is that if you want to game, your options are "or Windows."
- flammenwurfer, on 08/12/2008, -0/+13That was a horribly written article....grammatically speaking.
- chryso, on 08/12/2008, -0/+13Easy-to-use, free-of-charge ISO burner for Windows:
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm - Skooma714, on 08/12/2008, -9/+22Yeah Linux is sooo easy. Then how come I have to install Ubuntu like 3 times before GRUB decides to work properly?
I still can't GRUB to recognise Windows, and I want to do more than use the net, type up reports and make my desktop into a cube so Windows wins this round. - heartless_, on 08/12/2008, -2/+15I'm not sure if it has been busted, but flash has befuddled me more than once on Fedora 8/9 and I'm fairly comfortable with Linux.
- yessuz, on 08/12/2008, -4/+17I'm willing to pay for something that just works
- twiztidsinz, on 08/12/2008, -8/+21Myth# 2: I have to know the Linux terminal in order to use Linux.
False. There is absolutely no reason for a regular computer user to use linux for years, without having to use the terminal.
Wording: BUSTED! - sint4x, on 08/12/2008, -1/+13@sublimemm Don't even try the 64 bit version of XP with anything
- AmaDaden, on 08/12/2008, -5/+17I can't remember having any issues with it last time I installed Ubuntu.
- ExRe, on 08/12/2008, -0/+12If you haven't noticed, Microsoft's marketing department sucks.
It only took them 1 3/4 years to think of something like their Mohave experiment for Vista to clear up the BS, but I still haven't seen any advertisements on TV or anything regarding them.
If marketing was all it took, Apple would be dominating the PC market. - lolfanboys, on 08/12/2008, -3/+15Vista has been exponentially more stable than Ubuntu for me recently.
So all you got is that it's free? I'll think i'll pay for the more stable system that allows me to game, thanks. - hashfail, on 08/12/2008, -3/+15I disagreed with that one too. Even with Gnome I have to use the terminal constantly.
I rather enjoy hacking bash now but I remember being miffed at this when I started using Linux. It remains the barrier that's keeping the rest of my family from converting. - lolfanboys, on 08/12/2008, -1/+13Yes we're all well aware you can play old Windows games through wine and Linux games with goofy names.
But with Windows I can play old Windows games AND new Windows games. New Windows games, coincidentally, being the games most games are going to be most interested in playing. - gurudrew, on 08/12/2008, -0/+12They will send you a CD for free. It doesn't get much easier.
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu - Grokmoo, on 08/12/2008, -1/+13I think as long as you have hardware that is compatible, it is very easy to install. I have plenty of hardware on my system that was much easier to get running under Linux than Windows.
Unfortunately this is not always the case, but if you get Linux preloaded on a laptop or desktop, you won't have any problems. Once this becomes more common, I think Linux could become very popular on the desktop.
As far as distributions being bloated and easy to break, my experience has been that if you try to enable bleeding edge or advanced features, you can run into trouble. However, with a basic, tried and tested desktop, Linux has always been rock stable for me. I think actually that most users with minimal knowledge wouldn't experience the problems you have had because they would not even try to tweak their system in the ways that you probably have.
As far as gaming, I still think we are a long way away from Linux getting any support there. While I do think Linux has a very good chance in the low cost desktop and laptop markets, this obviously isn't going to help much with the current gaming situation. - wehrmanweb, on 08/12/2008, -3/+14And wireless works out of the box on a fresh install of Windows?
I just reinstalled XP SP2 on a Dell laptop here at work and guess what... I had to hunt down a driver from Dell for the wireless card and wired nic... I also had to download the drivers for the video card, sound, modem, touchpad... Let me see a novice windows user do all that... To top it off the drivers that Dell has on it's site are hard to find.
For fun I popped in the Ubuntu live disk and guess what... The thing booted up and I had the correct video resolution, wireless, wired, sound... And it noticed I had an nvidia video card and wanted to know if I wanted to use nvidia's drivers...
Want to know why windows seems easy? Because the computer comes from the factory with it pre-installed with the correct drivers. Try out a Dell with Ubuntu pre-intsalled and it's just as easy. - HonestAbe, on 08/12/2008, -1/+12I use Ubuntu and I have to go to the command line all the time. Stop living in a fantasy land.
Even Ubuntu, the greatest Linux distro so far, is still not usable enough for the typical person. I mean, my coworkers can't even figure out how to save a file from Outlook that I emailed them. How are they going to understand adding non-free repositories to support their graphics card or modifying file permissions? Linux still needs a LOT of work. -
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