2008 - Year of Linux Desktop?

rstrohmeyer writes "Over at Maximum PC, we're betting that Linux will pick up unprecedented momentum in the coming year. With phenomenal new distros, swelling international support, and a little extra momentum from Dell, we think Linux is poised to exploit the current atmosphere of doubt surrounding Vista and pick up serious traction in '08. 'For end users here in North America, Linux poses a low barrier to entry. While many still balk at an upgrade to Vista (typically centered around cost and restrictive licensing terms), those who are curious about the open-source alternative will find few of these obstacles. And an increasingly rich array of ready-to-run software (not to mention surprisingly effective utilities that let you run many Windows apps) makes it easy switch ... Ultimately, I'm not predicting that Linux will take over the market next year. Or anytime soon, for that matter. But if there's ever been a time to try out the world's leading free OS, 2008 will be that time. I am predicting that users will switch to Linux in record numbers next year. And many will never look back.'"

Comments

Never going to happen

[petrus4]

I could go into why, but people will simply tell me I'm a troll and to shut up, so I won't bother. Only thing I will say is that we see these posts every year, and they only get more annoying with time, not less.

I've honestly started to believe that Windows' successor is something we haven't seen yet; not Linux, and not Mac OSX. If it *is* UNIX based at all, it will have to be in such a way that the UNIX core is buried so deeply that not even geeks can get at it...because UNIX that the mainstream consumer can see is UNIX that the mainstream consumer doesn't want; hence Linux's problem.

so tired of hearing this stuff

[pbjones]

mass adoption of Linux on the the desktop is vapourware. Yes, there may be widespread adoption of one or two flavours of Linux, but the amount of work applied to each, should have them individually labled and identified, instead we have a large number of never popular items riding on the success of a few. Don't get me wrong, I have been looking to use Linux since the early slackware days, but without the major driver support from 3rd parties, it will be a poor alternative.

Re:2027 - year of fusion power?

[aichpvee]

Congrats for being straight. So am I. What do you want, a fucking cookie? Quit being such a dick and fuck your car analogies unless they're plug-in electric.