Linux on the Desktop 444
webmaven writes "Mitch Kapor's Open Source Application Foundation just released a 34 page report on the Desktop Linux market, written by Bart Decrem, who has discussed desktop Linux previously. The OSAF is working on Chandler, which the press have generally described as an 'Outlook Killer', but it's really intended to be in a completely new application category, more similar to Lotus Agenda in some ways than what currently consider a PIM (email + contacts + appointments). The report goes into some detail about the current state of desktop Linux, trends, and various limiting factors, and concludes that while a revolution is not immediately in the wings, a trend can definitely already be discerned, and they expect adoption of desktop Linux to increase over the next few years, and identifies leverage points to accelerate the process."
You gave the wrong link to OSAF (Score:5, Informative)
Sure... (Score:5, Informative)
Of course, the last time we heard from this guy, he was explaining [linuxandmain.com], "My big gripe about KDE is I think it's butt-ugly. The main reason I keep using GNOME is that the icons on KDE are aesthetically offensive to me. And the letter K is kind of offensive, it's not very elegant." The new report is Slashdotted, but I'm curious to see what other letters are slowing Linux adoption on the desktop.
At any rate, at least this story should generate some life on Slashdot. I'm trying to avoid doing work, and the last five stories are still in single digits for comments, including FP! trolls.
Linux on the desktop... (Score:5, Informative)
We need to start new-to-computers people with non-MS operating systems. They'll be much more inclined to use anything handed to them, and they'll dislike the crashing problems, popups, and weird behaviour of Microsoft's OSes. I repair Windows machines at work for my job, and every time something goes awry, I don't think of it as normal anymore, I think of it as bloody annoying.
Being nearly Windows-free for the last three years or so has been really awesome. These things are tools, not cheap toys that break a lot.
Lindows has a live distribution (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Allow me to ask.. (Score:2, Informative)
Linux on the Desktop (Score:3, Informative)
It is *ready*. It is usable. Even my wife gets it when she sits down at my machine. The only caveat is minor installations for the browser (Flash mainly).
I'm an avid Gnome user - but applications such as K3B for burning, Gaim, even Grip are easy enough to use for an average user.
The article did a fantastic job by going into details by category, and then summing up the good and the bad, and I like the smilies.
Re:Photoshop on Linux? (Score:4, Informative)
I still think you're missing the boat with Gimp, but that is another story. To answer your question, you're looking for Crossover Office 2.0. This version adds support for Photoshop version 7.0 and earlier. The review I read said performance and installation (of both Crossover and photoshop) were not problems.
Re:Clippie (Score:5, Informative)
A Swastika must point clockwise. It's supposed to represent progress, and in Nazi propaganda films, the symbol is animated and rotates clockwise too.
Re:Linux is still waiting in the wings (Score:5, Informative)
Not many have said as much in as few words.
"It's GUIs even today fall short of Windows and Mac GUIs"
I find KDE desktop behavior to be vastly superior to that provided by Windows. Try opening a full screen browser and a smaller window over it. Now try to navigate in the browser _without obscuring the smaller window_. This is but one example, and maybe it can even be done in Windows, but I've never seen it, heard of it or stumbled across it drunk.
"It's pretty rare you actually get someone with a little compassion that has felt your pain and is willing to help you out."
You aren't looking for help in the right places then. I've never been flamed while (groups.)googling. Or are you looking for a live hand-holder on IRC and/or simply can't/won't actually read any documentation?
"Everything about Linux (and Unix in general) seems to be as if it is some kind of rite of passage."
What can I say but that yes, it basically treats you like a fscking adult who has some grasp of fundamental computing principles. Some of us find that incredibly refreshing. Actually though, this is what distributions are for IMNSHO. RedHat and Mandrake or whatever for grandma and Debian and Slackware (or roll-your-own for crying out loud) for people who want more control and less automated hand-holding.
Argh, it's the same thing, over and over and over and over....
Re:Devils advocate (Score:1, Informative)
- antiquated install: maybe true on debian or slack. Certainly not on a distro like Mandrake. Hell, have you ever installed windows and Mandrake next to eachother? There is no way you are going to repeat this statement if you do.
- weak package management: what's weak? For debian and Mandrake it is certainly very powerful. Dependencies are automatically solved, just search what you need and it will install. You do not even have to know what a package is. What exactly is weak here?
- uninstall? Generally on windows you'll be stuck with numerous registry shit after removing some apps. Sometimes even DLLs all over the place. The whole thing doesn't look very standard to me, seems like every app has it's own uninstall tool. On mandrake its just "Remove packages" in 1 clean interface. And it will remove whatever you want.
- libary system? Well..as a normal user you just do not have to mess with it. I think, if the distro did it's thing correctly, it will just work. And i think it can be debated wheter it is worse/better than alternatives....
-GUI old? where have you been living? And what is "old"? Stuffy toolbar? That's no argument...Complex? Don't know..Gnome 2.2 looks overly simplified to me. I prefer KDE, more choices, that's my thing. Standard? Well, just use what you like, and stick with it. I hardly ever use a gnome app, but if I do, the theme fits nicely with KDE, and I do not even notice.
-Commercials treated like dirt? Well...any proof of this? Seems some companies are perfectly happy with providing their stuff for linux. Although I have to say that in the case of hw drivers, I think they should be open, but then, hardware companies are not selling their software anyways.
Do not get my wrong, I think things need to get even better, but 90% of your arguments are shit. My Mom can run Linux, so your's can do it as well (but IMHO RH9 is shit).
Re:I only want Chandler on my desktop if.. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Commodification? (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictio
One entry found for commodify.
Main Entry: commodify
Pronunciation: k&-'mä-d&-"fI
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -fied; -fying
Date: 1982
: to turn (as an intrinsic value or a work of art) into a commodity
- commodification
Re:What ever happened to the last "Outlook-killer" (Score:3, Informative)