Hardy Heron Making Linux Ready for the Masses?

desmondhaynes writes "Is Linux ready for the masses? Is Linux really being targeted towards the 'casual computer user'? Computerworld thinks we're getting there, talking of Linux 'going mainstream 'with Ubuntu. 'If there is a single complaint that is laid at the feet of Linux time and time again, it's that the operating system is too complicated and arcane for casual computer users to tolerate. You can't ask newbies to install device drivers or recompile the kernel, naysayers argue. Of course, many of those criticisms date back to the bad old days, but Ubuntu, the user-friendly distribution sponsored by Mark Shuttleworth's Canonical Ltd., has made a mission out of dispelling such complaints entirely.'"

TYoLotD

[Anonymous Coward]

This year's the Year... I can feel it!

(Not like all those other years -- those were totally different.)

Its almost here!

[Anonymous Coward]

2008: The year of the linux desktop... SERIOUSLY THIS TIME!

lol @ the targeted ads at the top of the page

[ionix5891]

Linux - Get The Facts

In-depth 3rd Party Analysis Linux & Windows

www.microsoft.ie/getthefacts

Re:Not only casual computer users

[pak9rabid]

I run a Gentoo workstation for work, where I set up things exactly the way I want them, but this is quite time consuming.

Might this be because you're compiling everything from source?

Re:Yes, and yes.

[somersault]

wow, I've never seen a post by a graphics card before!

Re:Not only casual computer users

[JackassJedi]

I also have a "media center" type box with ubuntu that the family uses to get and display multimedia content. This box is almost maintenance free, no virus, no problems. A Windows machine would have given me a lot more work and it would have turned me into a pirate :-)

*twiddledum*

Oblig

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you suggesting that 2008 is the year of Linux on Desktop?

Re:Yes, and yes.

[spun]

Oh for crying out loud, how long ago was that? You've been bitching about that for YEARS. I don't even know how you managed to brick your system, I've put GRUB on the primary MBR of dual boot systems hundreds of times. I just did it with the new Ubuntu with a test server here in my office. No problkems. Last week I told my boss's boss how to help his kid do it. No problems.

I've read and followed the new Ubuntu dual boot instructions, a blind chimp could do it, you just clicky along 'till it's done, taking the defaults. It even resized my original windows partition with no problem.

Re:No, and No

[Professr3]

Yes?

Re:Yes, and yes.

[nuzak]

> it was literally ironed out a week ago

So now we know what the the problem was: wrinkly chips.

Re:No and No. I fought it earlier today.

[krakround]

Heretic! Purge the Blasphemer!

Re:It Depends

[dschl]

People have said as a joke that OpenOffice.org or similar programs will take over once they have their own clippy, but may a true word is said in jest.

Well, it worked for vi. Ever since vigor [sourceforge.net] was released, emacs hasn't stood a chance.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Not only casual computer users

[javilon]

Well, not really. I don't compile things myself, it is the compiler doing it. My father used to compile things himself from source, he worked with punch cards and had no compiler.

Where I spent most of my Gentoo maintenance time is configuring the different applications to suit my needs.

Re:Yes, and yes.

[patiodragon]

Wow. scrolled down really far and I can't believe this thread is still on this dude whining about 2006. Fool me twice....

Re:No, and No

[Chris Burke]

Oh great, when that happens I'll truly never get any work done. Hopefully that day is soon followed by an Ubuntu variant that disables any access to games in the repos.

You seem to fear the day where your last remaining productivity vanishes.

I, however, look forward to it. ;)

Re:No and No. I fought it earlier today.

[dbcad7]

I'm sure some Linux experts will say I'm just stupid

I'm no expert, but....

Re:No, and No

[Swampash]

Windows users have the right to an alternative.

Yep. I was totally sick of Windows and all its hassles, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to use a desktop OS with the strength and configurability of UNIX with a slick modern GUI.

So I got a Mac.

Re:Yes, and yes.

[Provocateur]

if they don't have a valid license and don't want to spend 100 bucks on one, do NOT give them a pirated copy of XP.

Your friend: "Pirated? Do you have one?"

You: "No. One thing I haven't told you: I am a ninja. My mission is to wipe out all pirates."

(Leave. She will call when she's ready.)

Re:Yes, and yes.

[westlake]

Spoken like a true sheep. :)

This the attitude - which the geek radiates like a sun gone nova - that has earned Linux a 0.61% share of the desktop.

Re:Yes, and yes.

[Ticklemonster]

It was "bricken" but he fixed it.

Re:Yes, and yes.

[dintech]

resolutions that everyuone and theirdog uses since over three years, like 1440x90

You should be more upset. Cylons have been around since the 70's and I hear KITT [wikipedia.org] uses the same resolution.

I brickened my boxen but nowen its fixend!

[spun]

I lixen this new way of speaxen.

Re:Yes, and yes.

[LarsG]

As much as it annoys me, I think we have lost "bricked" just like we lost "hacker". I expect "jailbreak" to be next in line, damn the iCrowd..