Should Being Competitive With Windows Matter For Linux?

An anonymous reader writes "Is Linux being held back by distributions bent on competing with Microsoft Windows? This article argues that it's a real possibility. Quoting: '... what was apparent early on during my Linux adoption was my motivation for making the switch in the first place — no longer wanting to use Windows. This is where I think the confusion begins for most new Linux adopters. As we make the switch, we must fight the inherent urge to automatically begin comparing the new desktop experience to our previous experiences with Windows. It's a completely different set of circumstances, folks. ... The fact that one platform can support a specific device while the other platform cannot (and so on) doesn't really solve the problem of getting said device working. You can see where this dysfunction of thought can become a big problem, fast."

Comments

Re:False dichotomy

[hairyfeet]

See? Why is that so hard for the rest of the Linux world to accept? You like things YOUR way, which you admit is tech heavy, and want things to stay that way. Good great, all for it. The problem is so many (including the ones who modbomb when you dare to point out the emperor is naked) is that the Linux guys have completely deluded themselves into thinking I can make the world be JUST LIKE ME! and the truth could NOT be farther away from that statement if you tried!

Like conf files? like CLI? Like Bash? Good, great, really happy for you and wish you nothing but happiness and long uptimes. But the rest of the planet, including the 100s of millions that are currently using Windows and/or OSX will never ever in a hundred million years do things YOUR way, why is that so damned hard to accept? It really is simple Linux guys: You want big numbers? You want double digit marketshare? Then you give the customers what THEY want which is all GUI and hand holding and clicky clicky.

But please, for the sake of FOSS and your own sanity, stop deluding yourselves into thinking that if people would only embrace the power of CLI like it is the fricking force that the world will come around to your way of thinking. It won't, not now, not tomorrow, not ever. Continuing to proclaim "the year of the Linux desktop!" without accepting these fundamental truths is as insane as Tom Cruise thinking he can turn the world into Scientologists. It just ain't gonna happen friend. Either do things THEIR way, or be happy with the niche that you have and don't expect any real growth. That is really the only two choices you have, wasting mod points while pretending that inside every home user "is a CS nerd just waiting to get out" is just complete insanity.

And sorry if I came off a little pissy, it wasn't directed at you. I'm just tired of the completely psychotic behavior of the FLOSSies here, that think they can suddenly get Joe Average to WANT to use Bash and learn strings of CLI commands. If you want users then Bash has to DIAF along with crap like conf files. Think iOS. If you don't like that, then stay out of the consumer market! It really is that simple folks, it is just that simple.