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Linux Desktop Ready, Says Mainstream Media

DeathElk writes, "The Sydney Morning Herald recently featured an article espousing the virtues of desktop Linux. From the article: 'Linux is shedding its hard-core techie image in a bid to woo ordinary human beings seeking an easy-to-use operating system that can be downloaded for free.' Is this a step forward for widespread GNU/Linux desktop adoption? Too bad the article doesn't mention the large range of live CD/DVD distributions available for try-before-you-fly, or the range of Windows applications tested and working under Wine." Also, the article is slightly unclear on the concept of open source, defining it as an arrangement "where the source code can be modified upon the request of users or other developers."

4 of 387 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I wish I could agree with this by Mateo_LeFou · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Meh. I never was too impressed with the "installing applications is too hard" gripe.

    Okay, so it takes you 20-30 minutes to install an app (a generous estimate, yum and yast and friends bring the average closer to 10 -- that's an average that includes the troublesome packages). How much is your time worth? How much would a commercial version of that package (or those 25 packages) cost?

    As an added bonus, pretend you're installing that package for 2 other family members. Or 15 coworkers. You've just saved 2 or 15 times as much $ as in the previous case.

    --
    My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
  2. Linux by rlbond86 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Linux is a series of tubes!

  3. Re:Of Course! by Yvanhoe · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    On other news, there has been a significant drop of temperatures here in Pandemonium. Stay with us for our next breaking news : a complete review of Duke Nukem Forever RC1

    --
    The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
  4. Re:Of Course! by Cal+Paterson · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    If Slashdot Poster susano_otter says Linux isn't desktop ready, then desktop ready it mustn't be!

    After all, the Slashdot Poster susano_otter is well known for its expertise in IT and its reliability as a source of proven facts and sober analysis!

    Hrm.

    Actually, now that I think about it, I do believe this is proof positive that people are more willing to listen to large national newspapers rather than slashdotters with cliche witisisms!