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Too Many Linux Distros Make For Open Source Mess
AlexGr writes "Remember the 1980s worries about how the "forking" of Unix could hurt that operating system's chances for adoption? That was nothing compared to the mess we've got today with Linux, where upwards of 300 distributions vie for the attention of computer users seeking an alternative to Windows."
This is excactly why I direct everyone to the Apple store when people come to me and ask advice when they have doubts about Windows and want something else.
Having choice is good, having too many choices leads to confusion and self-doubt.
The problem isn't the hundreds of identical distros with minor changes, its the 2 major ones with a huge split between them for no apparent reason.
People are trying to define why the situation is so screwed up, but every time they attempt to define what is wrong and discuss things they get ridiculed and told nothing is wrong, everything is perfect, move along.
Heres some real problems: The driver model is a compromise, X11 is worthless, Gnome is virtually a thin client, and companies can't REALLY sell software (that one really shows).
GPL is eventually going to get in the way as well. ZFS is a recent example that will only get worse, and companies are either going to work around it and go for closed software (like nvidia), or simply quit trying to support Linux at all (like everyone else).