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Thread ID: 83703	2007-10-10 07:23:00	"Linux is not ready for the desktop"!!	johnd (85)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
600084	2007-10-10 07:23:00	I have just finished reading the article “Linux still doesn't make it on desktop” By Michael Gartenberg Framingham, Monday, 8 October, 2007 (see computerworld.co.nz ) As a Linux user since 1998 and an exclusive user on my desktop and now laptop since 2001, I feel compelled to respond to am article that in my opinion is full of mis-information and unsubstantiated statements. I am happily using my PC with various printers, internet access, digital camera, scanner, wireless etc with no major issues. I have all the applications I need - I can even run old DOS games with DOSBox. To respond to some of the negative points raised: 1.“Lack of support” - I think most people who have seen both sides of the fence would agree that you get far faster and better support from internet forums for any issues you might have than you would get directly from Microsoft. How many private individuals would have received a response from the writer of the software in a closed source environment? I can say I have from the writer of an open source program. 2.“Lack of driver support” - with careful choice of hardware and a bit of research this is not a major issue any longer. There are plenty of sites on the web to help (e.g. www.linuxprinting.org and http://linuxwireless.org/ ). I am sure one could produce an argument that Linux hardware support is better than Vista's. 3.“Cost is the hidden factor” - it is true that the price of the software is only part of the total cost but I make two points here: i.if all you want to do is browse the internet, send and receive emails, use an office suite, listen to music, use Skype and chat channels, then anyone who can point and click with a mouse can do this. I have a friend who installs Linux systems for users such as these with next to no issues. ii.Linux is no longer the mystery that it used to be – there are plenty of people and places to go for help. 4.“Lack of support for Microsoft Office” - unless you are a large business with a substantial investment in VBA macros, then this is no problem. Sure compatibility isn't 100%, but it is very, very close! Anyway the file formats that Open Office use are approved by the International Standards Association for long term document storage and retrieval. Microsoft's attempt to have their XML format approved was rejected! I believe a senior MS executive has been quoted as saying that if it was approved, they could not guarantee any commitment to it! Is it a wise thing to commit our information to proprietary formats? 5.“There is no version of iTunes for Linux” - anyone who has used Linux would probably say “So what!”. I must admit to never having used iTunes but I do use Amarok on my Linux PC which seems to compare very favourably on such sites as en.wikipedia.org So the author says “Linux still isn't the answer”. I have to say “Says who”?. This article smacks of somebody who has a word count to fulfil.	johnd (85)
600085	2007-10-10 07:31:00	I think the biggest problem is not Linux, but the fact that Windows has such a hold on the world market. Windows is in all computer shops/ warehouse /TV etc and its whats "pushed" to the general public. Many people who only know Windows dont feel comfortable with any thing else, and while some have tried Linux ( me included) unless you are willing to take the time and "learn" how to do things it goes in the "Too hard basket". Dell :badpc: for example are now putting out computers with Linux installed as an choice ( which linux I don't know). I think its what you get used to.	wainuitech (129)
600086	2007-10-10 07:56:00	I have just finished reading the article “Linux still doesn't make it on desktop” By Michael Gartenberg Framingham, Monday, 8 October, 2007 (see computerworld.co.nz ) As a Linux user since 1998 and an exclusive user on my desktop and now laptop since 2001, I feel compelled to respond to am article that in my opinion is full of mis-information and unsubstantiated statements. I am happily using my PC with various printers, internet access, digital camera, scanner, wireless etc with no major issues. I have all the applications I need - I can even run old DOS games with DOSBox. To respond to some of the negative points raised: 1.“Lack of support” - I think most people who have seen both sides of the fence would agree that you get far faster and better support from internet forums for any issues you might have than you would get directly from Microsoft. How many private individuals would have received a response from the writer of the software in a closed source environment? I can say I have from the writer of an open source program. 2.“Lack of driver support” - with careful choice of hardware and a bit of research this is not a major issue any longer. There are plenty of sites on the web to help (e.g. www.linuxprinting.org (www.linuxprinting.org) and http: ). I am sure one could produce an argument that Linux hardware support is better than Vista's. 3.“Cost is the hidden factor” - it is true that the price of the software is only part of the total cost but I make two points here: i.if all you want to do is browse the internet, send and receive emails, use an office suite, listen to music, use Skype and chat channels, then anyone who can point and click with a mouse can do this. I have a friend who installs Linux systems for users such as these with next to no issues. ii.Linux is no longer the mystery that it used to be – there are plenty of people and places to go for help. 4.“Lack of support for Microsoft Office” - unless you are a large business with a substantial investment in VBA macros, then this is no problem. Sure compatibility isn't 100%, but it is very, very close! Anyway the file formats that Open Office use are approved by the International Standards Association for long term document storage and retrieval. Microsoft's attempt to have their XML format approved was rejected! I believe a senior MS executive has been quoted as saying that if it was approved, they could not guarantee any commitment to it! Is it a wise thing to commit our information to proprietary formats? 5.“There is no version of iTunes for Linux” - anyone who has used Linux would probably say “So what!”. I must admit to never having used iTunes but I do use Amarok on my Linux PC which seems to compare very favourably on such sites as en.wikipedia.org So the author says “Linux still isn't the answer”. I have to say “Says who”?. This article smacks of somebody who has a word count to fulfil. The guy doesn't know what he is talking about here. I wish I could remember the url of a site that took him and two others apart recently. It was an interesting read.	mikebartnz (21)
600087	2007-10-10 08:18:00	Lack of Support Forums don't qualify as support, hell, they only are of use if you can access the net, find a suitable forum, and then make use of the information. Windows support is everywhere through society, Kids ,parents, friends family and lets not forget your local PC repair shop when things really go belly up.. Of course, Windows support from MS or its partners isn't there. This doesn't exist for any other platforms, irrelevant to their other strengths or weaknesses they simply don't have the market saturation and knowledge base that goes along with it. No matter what else, This lack of support is the main weakness for all other platforms beside Windows. Drivers. Hell yes. Every device has Windows drivers, Not every device has Linux drivers. Yours all work?...fine, Doesn't mean the billion unsupported devices do, nor that the head aches and of getting crap to work is worth it to Joe Average. Cost. Massive blowouts are foreseen for companies who make the switch and have it go belly up, Your free friend aint going to be able to rock up for that one, specialised and expensive help will be required, IF it can be found. Joe Average sitting at home will just get around it by inserting his Windows Cd and swearing never to go near the deluded world of Linux again. MS Office and iTunes can go to hell. Linux ready for the deaktop? Nope, If it were it would be there already, Its had plenty of exposure, Its readily available, and MS themselves have given users more then enough incentive to try it. Linux failed. Now it needs to die so something worthy can take its place.	Metla (12)
600088	2007-10-10 08:27:00	Linux failed. So that's the end of the story? - I don't think so some how! In many ways it already has succeeded.	johnd (85)
600089	2007-10-10 08:30:00	The point is, I may be able to use Linuz and have the necessary gumption to do so but why would I? People assume a lot of people are frustrated with Windows but they aren't and neither am I. If I want to do something out of the ordinary, I'll just have a different flavoured ice-cream to try this week thank you very much.	beeswax34 (63)
600090	2007-10-10 08:34:00	If I want to do something out of the ordinary, I'll just have a different flavoured ice-cream to try this week thank you very much. Hey that's fine! I am not trying to "convert" anyone - just trying to respond to what I think is a very poorly written article.	johnd (85)
600091	2007-10-10 08:39:00	So that's the end of the story? - I don't think so some how! In many ways it already has succeeded. In my view yes, Linux wasn't up to the task, Due imo to its fragmentented nature and dare I say it...all around ugliness. I think Linux has had its glory days, Maybe when something does start to take real market share off MS it will have its roots in Linux but I'd say it will have to be a far better packaged product (rather then simply a better Linux product) then current offerings, and be under the one name.	Metla (12)
600092	2007-10-10 08:39:00	To respond to some of the negative points raised: 1.“Lack of support”This is correct 2.“Lack of driver support”Also correct. Try installing a winmodem 3.“Cost is the hidden factor”The only real advantage Linux has over MS 4.“Lack of support for Microsoft Office”OpenOffice is good, but MS Office is the standard and app most people use. I notice OpenOffice does falter with some of the formatiing, not necessarily OO's fault, but it should have 100% compatibility with what most people use (that being MS Office 5.“There is no version of iTunes for Linux”Who cares about iTunes anyway Now it needs to die so something worthy can take its place.I notice Windows also seems to be going down the screaming heap... maybe it to should roll over and die? I personally have used Linux as an only OS for over a year now. I love it, and won't ever change. But Linux is not ready to take on Windows. Case in point, half the linux users on this forum blow about PCLOS, or Ubuntu. Both are useless. Try setting up a winmodem, or [as I found out over the weekend] wifi. I am no tard with Linux (I use Gentoo, the install is cli) but damn, did I get a headache trying to set up wifi on PCLOS (a supposedly easy distro). I also noticed that when I posted asking for help, not one PCLOS user was able to. Go figure So I agree, Linux is NOT ready for the desktop	Myth (110)
600093	2007-10-10 08:44:00	I notice Windows also seems to be going down the screaming heap... maybe it to should roll over and die? Hell yes, The sooner the better. MS need to be removed as the default OS. Period. Go.Be Gone. Die. MS make me sick. And I'm not talking about the money.	Metla (12)
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