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Linux On Netbooks — a Complicated Story
An anonymous reader writes "Keir Thomas has responded to the recent raft of news stories pointing out that Linux's share of the netbook market isn't as rosy as it used to be. Thomas thinks the problem boils down to a combination of unfamiliar software and unfamiliar hardware, which can 'push users over the edge.' This accounts for the allegedly high return rates of Linux netbooks. In contrast, although far from superior, Windows provides a more familiar environment, making the hardware issues (irritatingly small keyboard, screen etc.) seem less insurmountable; users are less likely to walk away. 'Once again Microsoft's monopoly means Windows is swallowing up another market.'"
Surely, how can Linux compete against the likes of Windows and OSX with current interfaces (read windowing environments)? Linux default interfaces look dated and ugly, and do not get me started on multimedia. Now call me a troll.
Names: Obama, Ape, Monkey, Jig, Chimp, Gorilla
You're joking right? Postgre does not compete on a level field with Oracle (or DB2), Inkscape currently doesnt match the version of illustrator i was using nearly 10 years ago, and likewise, Photoshop 6 is still more useful for photo editing than GIMP is today.
Also, someone seems to have forgotten that pretty much every program cited runs on windows - whats the motivation for someone to switch? oh right, since what i have works fine, THERE ISNT ONE.
Brilliantly useless Obama-like Ubuntu fanatical crap.
Hope, Change and everything else.
Superiority on the desktop? Until i can get a kid to intuitively perform basic tasks (eg. homework), or connect to a wireless network out of the box properly (god forbid networkmanager actually work properly) among other things... I don't see where your "superiority" is. Nor do i see the "under the hood" superiority. It all depends on your uses, and frankly, Windows (xp/7) works perfectly for the people who use the netbooks most commonly. Little bit of word docs (OOo is terrible - abiword is better but yet falls short of word, the standard), little bit of internet surfing, maybe some solitare, bam, you're done. Plus, its pretty seamless to move to any version of windows to do those tasks past NT 3.5.1 / Windows 3.11 era.
"There is no common way to install and remove software."
Heard of apt or yum? Both are far superior that the "Windows Way".
"There is no stable base to write drivers (thus no hardware support)"
I've never ad to rummage through an OEM's driver site to get a workstation working. Getting Windows to work on Laptops is a headache involving hours of hunt and search for laptop drivers, unless you're happy to make do with the inevitably old ones that you *may* be lucky enough to have on CD.
"There are too many distros with too many proprietary ways of doing things. Too many proprietary repositories, too many proprietary package systems, to many proprietary filesystem layouts."
There is apt and yum. Care to name this veritable profusion of others you seem to be referring to?
"Gimp is *not* Photoshop. Sorry. I know I mentioned this, but I'll repeat it again. You insult people who actually use Photoshop by making this claim."
I believe I did say that in my original post. I also said that the Linux kernel was also once behind, and a raised profile saw to that in a matter of just a few years.
"Ponies"
Yes, I agree. This is the most rational thing you said.
I work on a servicedesk. If a linux netbook is brought to us we don't even bother trying to set up WiFi anymore. Just get them to install Windows. Any of our staff can set up/debug a laptop on WiFi in a few minutes if its Windows/Mac. We're not idiots - we just haven't seen a single netbook with a consistent and reliable setup procedure that works.
Linux is a mess. We need built-in and working 802.1x on the laptop to support a modern enterprise wireless setup. We don't want to compile code or edit source code. We don't have 4 hours to spend wandering chat rooms to be told we're not 1337 enough. The thing MUST have a GUI that works or its "please install windows".
We don't have the time to investigate or play with this junk. Worse, when I DID find the time, writing instructions for Linux usually ends up becoming very involved and doesn't even work for a different netbook. Why are we having to do this? Why should I find time to support 5 different flavors? Why the hell weren't the manufacturer supplied drivers built with WPA support? WTF?!
And don't give me that "you're an idiot who can't add 1+1" or "I can set up my wireless in 1 minute" blah blah blah.
I DON'T think Linux is appropriate for the general masses who just want to use their netbooks for work. This includes wifi, printing, web browsing etc etc. It's full of quirks.
Linux isn't ready for the netbook. Its still half-baked and is being treated by manufacturers very half-assed.
To Manufacturers: provide a normal linux distribution with fully supported drivers and setup software. Explain that Linux is not Windows.
To Users: demand that netbooks actually work. Don't tolerate anything less. Regardless of operating system, the netbook must support every built-in peripheral, eg ethernet AND wireless AND webcam. Return ANY netbook that doesn't work as you expect.