Should Being Competitive With Windows Matter For Linux? 645
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."
Re:If Linux wants to have broader adoption... (Score:2, Funny)
OK, why then Linux doesn't provide the same driver interface as Windows? I believe similar goal has that ReactOS Windows clone.
Re:End users hate the registry? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:End users hate the registry? (Score:3, Funny)
That plus it makes running a backup into black magic. And we have that going for us now as well, only not because of the registry (otherwise known as GConf). Tried to backup a machine that has someone logged in lately? I use rsnapshot, gotta add in special exceptions lest GNOME hose you because they just have to use features that almost no backup program is going to be expecting to find, files that you can't stat... even as root. Only the owning user can enter that directory, all others lose and go mad. Like meeting Cthulu or something. Totally breaking every assumption about how a file system on UNIX is supposed to behave.
Re:Linux is everywhere. (Score:4, Funny)
Yes ok, amazon jungle tribal members probably do not use linux very much.
Video game developers already think of Linux users (Score:2, Funny)
Re:End users hate the registry? (Score:3, Funny)
Well, now you know. If you play with your Winkey you might discover something new.