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Advocates Join to Promote Desktop Linux

Posted by michael on from the more-committees-always-needed dept.

phatvibez writes "Cnet is running a story that says 'Several companies have joined to launch a consortium to promote Linux for desktop computers, a significant expansion for an operating system that today fits more comfortably on servers.' This is great news, I hope they actually do something and we see some great stuff come from this!" Another submission on this note: TweetZilla writes "According to ExtremeTech, Suse is taking a play from Xandros. Crossover Office and Plugin are now bundled into Suse's desktop to provide Windows and Office compatibility." Update: 02/04 18:18 GMT by T : Here's a link to the consortium's web site.

7 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. What about Gentoo? by fudgefactor7 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I was kind of surprised to not see Gentoo's name listed there. Especially since Gentoo was designed from the ground up to be a desktop Linux distro (as opposed to server.) Plus I just plain ol' like Gentoo, and get wood whenever I have the opportunity to pimp them. ;)

    1. Re:What about Gentoo? by Twister002 · · Score: 3, Informative

      The documentation still lacks some things and assume a LOT. I ended up reading a lot more of the XFree86 and kernal documentation than I did the Gentoo docs. I never posted in the support forums (which I should have) but found a LOT of helpful information in there as well DESPITE the forum search engine. ;)

      I will say this, Gentoo does give the installer a sense of accomplishment. I felt proud once I had rebooted, logged in, and saw fluxbox come up. :)

      --
      "For a successful technology, honesty must take precedence over public relations for nature cannot be fooled." -Feynman
  2. Other parties by faeryman · · Score: 5, Informative

    The article doesn't say so, but the Samba and Ximian teams are involved too.

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    faeryman
  3. Re:All KDE companies by f97magu · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you check the homepage of the consortium, you'll see that Ximian is there too. So it's not all KDE companies.

  4. Groups Provides / Teaches Linux Desktop to Public by mrs+clear+plastic · · Score: 5, Informative

    Free Geek, in Portland, Oregon does provide Linux as a desktop solution to those who are not computer literate.

    Free Geek, formed as a response to the growing problem of disposal of obsolete computers, has a program to take discarded computers, fix them up,
    load them with Debian Linux with Openoffice, and then give them to those in need.

    Parts of the program include mandatory volunteer time for those who wish the free computers. This volunteer time does include taking computers apart, testing the components, assembling the computers, loading them with a Debian image over the network, and then basic Linux training.

    Many of the people who partake in the program have never had a computer in their life. Almost all of them are not linux/server/geek literate when they walk in the door. When they walk out, they at least know enough to use the computer for basic desktop functions as word processing, email, and using the web on the Internet.

    This can show that at a grass-roots level, promoting Linux at the desktop can work.

    Mark

    --
    Cleara
  5. Re:All KDE companies by Chris+Croome · · Score: 3, Informative

    I suspect that the reason Red Hat aren't part of it is that they don't really care that much about Linux on the desktop

    I'm not so sure that is the case, according to this article a RedHat Corporate Desktop distro is due out later this year.

    The juicy bits for those who don't want to bother reading the whole thing:

    Red Hat executives told CRN that Red Hat won't attempt to unseat Windows and Office but will aim its desktops at targeted customer segments such as call centers at financial institutions needing only Word and Excel, or highly technical audiences that use one or two productivity applications.

    Dell is in discussions with Red Hat and plans to load the 32-bit workstation on its Precision workstations, Dell said.

    Sources in the Linux channel are cautiously optimistic about the desktop aspirations of startups but say endorsements by Sun Microsystems and Red Hat give the Linux desktop more credibility. Sun also plans to debut its Linux desktop this quarter.

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  6. The Debian Desktop Subproject by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    [http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-desktop/]

    "The Debian Desktop subproject is a group of volunteers who want to create the best possible operating system for home and corporate workstation use. Our motto is "Software which Just Works". In short, our goal is to bring Debian, GNU, and Linux to the mainstream world."

    "Who's involved in Debian Desktop ...anyone who wants to be!"