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Will Novell's Desktop Linux Catch On?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i'll-drink-to-that dept.

Laura writes "Novell says its newly released Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop 10(SLED) can replace Windows for the average office worker. But will enterprises embrace a widespread migration from Windows?" From the article: "The desktop market is a very mature market, and Microsoft has a very strong presence there, which makes it hard for customers to move off [...] However, Jeff Jaffe, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Novell, said at the SLED 10 launch Thursday he is fairly confident that if enterprises have a chance to kick the tires of the new desktop OS, mass migration from Windows is soon to follow."

2 of 327 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Change is bad by texaport · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The userbase always acts like they are dragged kicking and screaming even with simple desktop look and feel.
    It happened with WIN98 to 2000 and I've seen it with "interface issues" upgrading desktops from NT4 to XP.

    Putting aside the REAL issues of a major migration, the answer to successful change is to not fight human nature.

    Forget about pre-changeover sessions for enduser input and all that. Upgrades succeed in environments where
    management doesn't let after-the-fact moaning and groaning be effective tools.

    Everywhere else you selectively put shiny new computers (and OSes) on certain peoples desks and just wait.

    One hour later when the inevitable jealousy and pettiness reach full force, the users are ready to realize they
    can keep their old/slow/loud/ugly computers or be upgraded on schedule. Unfortunately, human nature rules.