Slashdot Mirror
Advocates Join to Promote Desktop Linux
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.
This is all well and good and I'm excited about it, it's a step in the right direction. The only thing that I could add would be to bring in the hardware manufacturers, Hardwares like Digital Camera, Printer, Webcam, etc.
An avarage user would like to have that installation CD comes with the digikam that they just purchased. they are not savy enough to download 20 different tarballs and rpms to get it going.
For this to really work, they should get some computer manufactors behind it.
If this consortium developes a friendly version of Linux aimed at desktop users and are successful at promoting it, they consumer would still have to install it on their system and in some cases configure hardware and whatnot.
If they were to work with Dell, or HP/Compaq were they would be able to ship "Restore" and "Recover" CD's with the machines, when something goes wrong, the user would simply be able to boot off the CD and restore the computer into the state it was when it was brought home. The operating system would be installed, all the hardware would be configured.
This is my third time trying linux, on Redhat 8. I'm microsoft free, and finding it somewhat difficult to stay here. The main reason is taht I'm a little afraid to ask. Any time a 'newbie' asks for help, it's assumed that they're not worthy of the knowledge or something. I'm not sure of the mentallity of it, but it really makes it difficult.
The lack of software really doesn't bother me that much. all i did on windows is Battlefield 1942 and the webdesign stuffs. Now i use JEdit for java, text editing webpages, and Gimp for graphics. The only thing i'm missing is Battlefield.
The reason I always came back to windows in the past was out of laziness. First of all, it's really a steep learning curve, unless all you want to do is email and browse teh internet. Stuff like changing my resolultion, fixing my soundcard, and figuring out the file system held me back before.
Anyway, thats just my story. I'm sure there's a lot more people who try to switch, and for one reason or another just find it easier to give in and put windows back on. If there was more of a willingness to help newbies understand the basics without making them feel like morons, I beleive there'd be a lot more perminent switchers to linux.