Torvalds On Desktop Linux's Slow Uptake

javipas notes a Wired piece summarizing a two-part interview with Linus Torvalds that's up at linux-foundation.org (part 1, part 2). In the second part the creator of the Linux kernel gives his view on the limited success of Linux on the desktop. "I have never, ever cared about really anything but the Linux desktop... The desktop is also the thing where people get really upset if something changes, so it's really hard to enter the desktop market because people are used to whatever they used before, mostly Windows... better is worse if it's different."

Re:I disagrrree

[Malevolent Tester]

This IS the year of Linux on the desktop. We're living it

Duke Nukem Forever is going to be out in 2008 as well.

Re:I disagrrree

[elrous0]

But will it run on Linux?

Re:People don't like change

[Waffle Iron]

programs with really absurd/dorky names that make no sense to anyone but nerds

If stupid names are such a user turn-off, then why is Microsoft willing to spend $44B to buy "Yahoo!" so that it can compete with "Google"?

Re:People don't like change

[Hognoxious]

And why is their security product (as advertised on this very site) called foreskin?

Re:I disagrrree

[Fluk3]

The year of linux on the desktop has ben canceled due to global warming

Re:People don't like change

[PinkyDead]

Everyone uses humor in their names: Linux uses inside-jokes and Microsoft uses irony. Where's the problem?

Reminds me of something...

[Nursie]

... a German friend of mine said. Why is it called Excel? it should be called "Get By".