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Linux vs. Windows: Choice vs. Usability
ThaReetLad writes "In this article at DevX, Executive Editor A. Russell Jones makes the case for a standardised GUI for Linux. He argues that the promotion of choice of GUI as a positive feature of using Linux is detrimental to its chances of attacking Microsoft's home user monopoly. From the article: '...the open source community must recognize that its primary goals: freedom of choice, freedom of source code, and freedom to alter applications, are not the goals of the average user.' In particular he argues that the choice of desktop between KDE, Gnome, IceWM etc, is not one that a former windows user, even a fairly technically competent one, is going to able to make an informed choice on, and that they should not be forced to make that choice in order to get good use out of any applications they might want to use."
Linux = GPL , GPL = Freedom, Freedom=choice
Executive Editor A. Russell Jones is an idiot. He has not understood the above simple equation.
Even supposing that "standardization" were a good thing, what power on earth could possibly enforce it?
Any free software project by definition can be forked. The right to create alternatives is the right of free speech. Code=Speech. The Internet gives computer users the power to download and install any such alternatives.
The fact that many window managers are included in common distributions is proof that different people prefer different distributions.
The fact that Mr. Jones has not understood this, is proof that he is not competent enough to impose his ideas on anyone!
The beauty of free software is that people like Mr. Jones can not get the power to implement their half-baked "bright ideas" and totalitarian visions.
Free software is the power of organized anarchy!