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The Linux Desktop and ISVs/OEMs

Posted by Soulskill on from the mixing-freedom-and-business dept.

olau writes "Michael Meeks, who's worked on GNOME and LibreOffice integration for many years, now for SuSE, has some really interesting thoughts on the recent Linux desktop debate and suggestions for possible strategies. He points out that regarding independent software vendors (ISVs), the real issue isn't actually the quality of the tools but the size and attractiveness of the market, and perhaps that a solution could be lower barriers for paying or donating. Regarding OEMs selling hardware with software preinstalled, he points out that while a free OS + software sounds good for consumers, it's actually a problem for OEMs on razor-thin margins, since they lose the cut they get from the preinstallations. A possible countermove could be nailing robustness and hardware diagnostics for good, lowering OEM support costs."

4 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Fall in line by pellik · · Score: 5, Insightful

    At the end of the day, it's a lot easier if Grandma has an OS that other family members can help her with.

    No matter how much I like my Linux Desktop, I don't want to be responsible for bringing non-tech-savvy people along. The rest of the family is fully capable of troubleshooting basic windows problems, more or less.

    1. Re:Fall in line by vurian · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It was one, good, reason for moving to Linux. The perfect excuse to decline helping people with their Windows problems.

    2. Re:Fall in line by houghi · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I have been doing this for years. People come to me with Windows problems and I just say they must go to the person who sold them their software.

      Blank stares as they do not understand. They are confused because they did not pay for their version of Windows. Even blanker stares if they DID pay for their version and can't get support for it.

      And then they tell me that they found somebody who did it for them who explained that it is normal that PCs go slower over time and that they must buy a new one. When I ask them if their TV is slower, they look at me if _I_ am stoopid.

      Obviously they have no interest in free (beer AND speech) alternatives.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    3. Re:Fall in line by Urza9814 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      On the other hand...

      My mother has a Linux netbook. Other than getting her email set up with Thunderbird when she got it (she couldn't do that herself in Outlook Express either,) I haven't ever touched the thing. It's just never had an issue.

      Her Windows desktop, on the other hand, seems to need some kind of repair every time I visit.....