The main reason I find that Linux hasn't gained ground in the desktop arena is due to complexity in installing apps. With Windows, installing an application doesn't take a degree in programming. I love the cost and stability of Linux, but I hate when I have to install an app that was written without an installation routine. I am comfortable editing text files and copying files manually, but the masses are lucky to get an autostarting Windows app installed without tech support. There is no way they will feel at ease editing a text file or manually creating directories.
Until there are applications that all install in a similar manner and have the same look and feel, I think it is going to be hard for Linux desktops to gain ground.
As for the previous comment about Open Office, I don't think most users would mind switching to Open Office. I have switched some of our Windows based users to it with very little backlash. People use MS Works and other programs that ship for free and are content with them. For the most part I find Open Office to work as well as Microsoft Office. I have defaulted their document types to be.doc,.xls,.ppt and they trade files wih our full Office clients with no problems.
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The main reason I find that Linux hasn't gained ground in the desktop arena is due to complexity in installing apps. With Windows, installing an application doesn't take a degree in programming. I love the cost and stability of Linux, but I hate when I have to install an app that was written without an installation routine. I am comfortable editing text files and copying files manually, but the masses are lucky to get an autostarting Windows app installed without tech support. There is no way they will feel at ease editing a text file or manually creating directories. Until there are applications that all install in a similar manner and have the same look and feel, I think it is going to be hard for Linux desktops to gain ground. As for the previous comment about Open Office, I don't think most users would mind switching to Open Office. I have switched some of our Windows based users to it with very little backlash. People use MS Works and other programs that ship for free and are content with them. For the most part I find Open Office to work as well as Microsoft Office. I have defaulted their document types to be .doc, .xls, .ppt and they trade files wih our full Office clients with no problems.