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Desktop Linux Mass Migration
Rob writes "With many Linux vendors attempting to push the open source operating system as a
desktop alternative to Windows, Computer Business
Review reports on Novell's migration to Linux on the desktop. From the article: 'Changing any mission-critical technology is a daunting task, and despite the growing maturity of Linux as a desktop operating system, it is little wonder that the vast majority of businesses are sticking with Windows.'"
Until this problem is solved, Windows will be an outsider. Fix'd
Becuase vendors must sell Windows on their hardware, with the rare exceptions of some which might sell Linux preinstalled to only businesses, Windows is now seen as COTS; i.e. it came with the machine so use it.
Businesses are all about using COTS. They don't want to download third party software or utilities if such functionality exists already, even if the functionality is below par. An issue arose at work, where Solaris falls short in many ways to the utilities available on modern FreeBSD/Linux boxes. A "solution" existed for the particular task with generic Solaris, but was subpar. My idea to expand it's functionality was shot down simply becuase what was available already for Solaris.
I refuse to believe that drivers are an issue for Linux, as so many claim. I don't run into any more driver problems on Linux than I do on MacOS X or Windows. Sure, my MOTU 828mkII doesn't have Linux drivers, but it's Windows drivers aren't worth a flip either[1] and, well, that's why I have a Macintosh. There is only one peace of hardware I have that I don't use in Linux and that's a certain 802.11g mini-pci card in my laptop. I can use ndiswrappers for it, but I choose not to. So, there is a solution, I just choose not to use it.
Nonetheless, the two main problems with businesses adopting Linux is it's speed of development and the fact it's not distributed on a mass scale by the hardware manufacturers. Speed of development is a real issue and warrunts a paper in it's self, but it is a real issue. For a sum up, the problem is that companies often verify their configurations, and some applications absolutely requires it. Anyone who has worked with real life crypto can attest to the poor technology floating around the crypto industry. Hand held key generators that are slow, clunky with 1980s wrist watch LCDs... but they are certified for that task by the government, military etc. Air traffic control systems, power grid systems... Linux moves to fast, Microsoft, Sun can extend support on a particular version of their OS long enough for a configuration using Solaris or NT to pass through all the paper work and still be of age. Meanwhile, if you don't update your Linux box for six months, you are seriously behind. I don't think this is a problem and would never want to change it. But, it is a reason why a lot of systems don't adopt Linux. I bet the version of Linux that might be currently used in a mission critical application is really old.
[1] Now that Apple has purchased Logic and killed the Windows development, and MOTU refuses to port Digital Performer and/or Audio Desk to Windows, drivers for high end audio equipment is more a joke for Windows as Windows only has crap consumer level audio software. It's funny, Audacity for Linux is probably better or just as good as anything off the shelf for Windows.