[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Why Linux Is a Desktop Flop here

[Watcher426]

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

[nonseq]

Watcher426, on 30 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

Why don't you post some links demonstrating your claim? I would appreciate it and I'm sure that others would as well. However, if you insist that we "google it" ourselves, it casts a read shadow of incredulity on your claim. Thanks

[Ferniez]

I think you have made some important observations here. The desktop on Linux has gotten quite good, elegant in fact. For most stuff there is really little need for Win. But you make a good point when it comes to the enterprise. Specialized applications and employee training are important issues and if those costs become too great there is no incentive to make a change.

I think that as more of our computing moves to the cloud it will matter less what OS we use. When this reaches critical mass then moving to Linux will make more sense. Linux will grow slowly but it is here to stay.

For me I love Linux and would never go back to the virus prone world of MS.

[ChristopherMartinez]

Watcher426, on 30 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

I Agree with you. I think that calling it a flop, is a stupid thing to do. You can't expect open source projects to just take off from one day to the other. With distros like Ubuntu taking a noticeable amount of popularity recently, I don't see how anyone would make a premature statement like that. It's very early and it is not moving down hill. To also make statements about work place software and nothing else is a mistake also. There are tons of things that Ubuntu can be useful for and I can see it being very popular amongst those who use their computer strictly for web browsing and media.

[Hemo2]

Yes, it is about the apps. There's not a single Linux app that I need or want and all the apps I need or want are Windows based. Linux apps are always referred to as 'alternatives' and never have the full functionality of their Windows couterparts, so it's a no brainer. It would be a complete waste of time for me to bother with Linux.

[slayman]

About the "getting updates" problem: it is not true. Ubuntu's April releases are updated for 3 years. If you need longer life for an OS, there are distributions like Scientific Linux or CentOS.

The real problem is the lack of applications. People arent just migrating the OS, they often are moving to newer applications. While there are many capable applications that handle the same task on Linux, people have to get used to them. It is a chicken-egg problem: The commercial windows applications are not being made available on Linux because there are not enough users, and there are not enough users because there arent enough "windows applications".

I have been using Linux for years, and my home computer is dual boot (with I using Linux/Windows and my wife using Windows). If you dont have a specific application that isnt available on Linux, it is at a point where you can just go with Linux and get everything done there.

[TrjBn]

Hey, 494 - 434 does not equal 50 !

[IanHolton]

If Linux is a flop then apple desktop must be a massive flop with all the momemtum behind it and it's still allegedly 5-10% of desktop usage depending on who you ask. In the end for me Linux has been a great success. I enjoy my computer which has run for years no problems. Seriosly I have never had a software failure in years I am a average user who came from windows becuase I was fed up with software failure. My Daughter has just brought a Windows 7 laptop and asked me to set it up, connect it to our network and printer. The printer is wireless two or three clicks to install in Linux. Windows 7 failed to find the driver I had to manually download the driver and am having issues still getting it to install. That's a flop as far as I'm concerned.

[IanHolton]

Another thing I know this article is about the desktop but if you look at the mobile world for a example of Linux succuss with momentum and marketing you see Android. The real issue is Microsoft has a massive monopoly and if you try and find Linux in a bricks and mortar store or a no O/S desktop or laptop it's hard work. Windows is a assumption and the average user does not know what they are missing.

[nonseq]

IanHolton, on 30 April 2012 - 11:11 AM, said:

If Linux is a flop then apple desktop must be a massive flop with all the momemtum behind it and it's still allegedly 5-10% of desktop usage depending on who you ask. In the end for me Linux has been a great success. I enjoy my computer which has run for years no problems. Seriosly I have never had a software failure in years I am a average user who came from windows becuase I was fed up with software failure. My Daughter has just brought a Windows 7 laptop and asked me to set it up, connect it to our network and printer. The printer is wireless two or three clicks to install in Linux. Windows 7 failed to find the driver I had to manually download the driver and am having issues still getting it to install. That's a flop as far as I'm concerned.

Hmm Linux available for 21 years and still 1.4% of the desktop. Apple's percentage has grown along with customer satisfaction, and profits. Apple seems to be meeting and exceeding its goals while the nature of linux and Open Source eliminates goals.

I've come to the conclusion that Linux is a very fine OS but is hampered- almost to extinction by the GNU/linux license. That's only my opinion but I think that Linux could have much larger market share almost overnight by developing some sort of hybrid proprietary/Open Source model- especially for developing sophisticated and professional applications that will meet and exceed consumer standards.

[RandomAdam]

I found this article quite insiteful until:
"It's such a flexible environment that there's a lot of freedom to do things, even things you shouldn't do," he says. "A typical thing in a Windows setting is to establish some usage policies, and set up some limitations on the systems to keep them stable. Linux doesn't have those types of standards out of the box."

Don't give everyone super usere accounts and you are sorted...it is completely built in far more then windows.

[melgross]

Actually, a lot of these desktop productivity apps are also available for the Mac as well.

[RickDobbelmannqbtt]

I just have to lol at this article...

[RickDobbelmannqbtt]

nonseq, on 30 April 2012 - 10:14 AM, said:

Watcher426, on 30 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

Why don't you post some links demonstrating your claim? I would appreciate it and I'm sure that others would as well. However, if you insist that we "google it" ourselves, it casts a read shadow of incredulity on your claim. Thanks

Dude seriously,

insert ad hominem.

You want people to proove their claims yet take your comments for your word.

Here is a link for you.. You do not even have to be lazy and google it yourself, I did it for you.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=linux+1%25+myth

This post has been edited by RickDobbelmannqbtt: 30 April 2012 - 11:59 AM

[RickDobbelmannqbtt]

nonseq, on 30 April 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

IanHolton, on 30 April 2012 - 11:11 AM, said:

If Linux is a flop then apple desktop must be a massive flop with all the momemtum behind it and it's still allegedly 5-10% of desktop usage depending on who you ask. In the end for me Linux has been a great success. I enjoy my computer which has run for years no problems. Seriosly I have never had a software failure in years I am a average user who came from windows becuase I was fed up with software failure. My Daughter has just brought a Windows 7 laptop and asked me to set it up, connect it to our network and printer. The printer is wireless two or three clicks to install in Linux. Windows 7 failed to find the driver I had to manually download the driver and am having issues still getting it to install. That's a flop as far as I'm concerned.

Hmm Linux available for 21 years and still 1.4% of the desktop. Apple's percentage has grown along with customer satisfaction, and profits. Apple seems to be meeting and exceeding its goals while the nature of linux and Open Source eliminates goals.

I've come to the conclusion that Linux is a very fine OS but is hampered- almost to extinction by the GNU/linux license. That's only my opinion but I think that Linux could have much larger market share almost overnight by developing some sort of hybrid proprietary/Open Source model- especially for developing sophisticated and professional applications that will meet and exceed consumer standards.

A HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOL

Damn you are one funny dude


lol

[RickDobbelmannqbtt]

Watcher426, on 30 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

You will never convince the idiots who by mac OS thinking they have the best OS because they bought it.

[MikeYostjodt]

Hemo2, on 30 April 2012 - 10:30 AM, said:

Yes, it is about the apps. There's not a single Linux app that I need or want and all the apps I need or want are Windows based. Linux apps are always referred to as 'alternatives' and never have the full functionality of their Windows couterparts, so it's a no brainer. It would be a complete waste of time for me to bother with Linux.

You also, obviously, couldn't take the time to find out that there is a simple install app that allows you to run any Windows application inside of Linux. But hey, some people don't mind dealing with crap (I.e. Windows after a month of use).

[IndianArt]

Watcher426, on 30 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

I also find it quite funny that experts predict Linux is 'flopping'. Google Chrome OS & Ubuntu can give them a rude shock. I feel while Chrome OS is being perfected, Ubuntu is a great OS with a Chrome browser.

Once inexpensive, small, cool (computers that don't need fans), low power consumption computers flood the market thanks to ARM (& maybe Intel) then priceless Linux OS like Ubuntu & Google Chrome/Android etc will make computers even more inexpensive & valuable. Along with several great software that comes free with Ubuntu the LibreOffice office suits comes bundled with it. Add Google Chrome browser to make your own free Goobuntu OS. Once computers are made so efficiently that they are less than $ 200 then it will be difficult to beat the value & price of a free OS.

Then Linux will be "flopping" like the flippers of a Blue Whale.

[MikeYostjodt]

RickDobbelmannqbtt, on 30 April 2012 - 11:55 AM, said:

nonseq, on 30 April 2012 - 10:14 AM, said:

Watcher426, on 30 April 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

while some valid points are made, I find it humorous when "experts" predict why Linux is flopping and why it has "less than 1% market share" If these people did real research about Linux and Unix, they'd see that it is easily 1/3 of all windows sales. Countless people dual boot and since one does not really purchases linux, they can't measure that either. millions use it so it is not 1%.

Why don't you post some links demonstrating your claim? I would appreciate it and I'm sure that others would as well. However, if you insist that we "google it" ourselves, it casts a read shadow of incredulity on your claim. Thanks

Dude seriously,

insert ad hominem.

You want people to proove their claims yet take your comments for your word.

Here is a link for you.. You do not even have to be lazy and google it yourself, I did it for you.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=linux+1%25+myth

That's pretty funny. Recent Ubuntu convert, and have to say that I am in no way looking back. Everything just feels more customizable/open/fast whatever you want to call it. No need searching for drivers or installing AV on first startup. All updates did their thing in the background and didn't even need a reboot.

Now, I work in IT so maybe I am just smarter than the average consumer, but after a week of testing, Linux is by far better than Windows.