Will linux ever be widespread?

[dukebound85]

I just downloaded ubuntu and its pretty cool. however, it still requires a lot of terminal work to install simple things.

i believe if they can get that issue out of the way, linux would be much more easily grasped

what is your opinion?

[rhett7660]

couldn't agree more. Linux to me at least to me, feels like a hobby for a power user. Until they can get around the ease of use and installation of items I don't think it will gain acceptance into the main stream.

I mean people have enough problems with Windows and Mac os, can you imagine the types of problems one might run into under the Linux OS's.

[j26]

That, and the lack of drivers are the main issues, until then it won't be mainstream.

[jmann]

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I totally agree. Ubuntu is pretty cool. And if it was a bit more user friendly I'd be all for it.

[detz]

Linux is widespread, what do you think most of the sites you visit are hosted on? :cool: Now, if the question is will Linux ever be as mainstream as Windows for a desktop user...probably not. Linux has it's purpose and there is no real desire for any developer to add the stuff needed to satisfy the average computer user.

[Much Ado]

Linux always aims to be at the cutting edge, for power users. Maintream functionality is a distraction.

[kabunaru]

The day when Linux becomes widespread is when Apple and Mac OS X become the "new Microsoft". Then Linux will be the new "Apple" and will grow on from there.

[xUKHCx]

Define Widespread.

From my view point it already is.

[belvdr]

I use Ubuntu 8.10 and openSuSE 11 all the time. I don't find either to be hard to use, and my wife loves Ubuntu, and she's not a techie either.

[JG271]

I've tried it, but like you say a lot of terminal work, and the documentation is not easy to understand at all. It has potential but i'd still choose windows over it at the moment.

That said, it is good for older machines, I have ubuntu running quite well on a P2 300mhz laptop. Just not user friendly enough yet though.

[dukebound85]

Define Widespread.

From my view point it already is.

widespread in the sense many could use it and not be clueless how to use it in a sense

with my just playing around with it, i had to pull out my unix book because i forgot simple vi commands and what not ( i dont use editors often lol)

Linux is widespread, what do you think most of the sites you visit are hosted on? :cool: Now, if the question is will Linux ever be as mainstream as Windows for a desktop user...probably not. Linux has it's purpose and there is no real desire for any developer to add the stuff needed to satisfy the average computer user.

i realize that but why not focus on the user friendliness? i mean if you could add that yet still keep all the funtionality enjoyed by power users now why not?

[belvdr]

I've tried it, but like you say a lot of terminal work, and the documentation is not easy to understand at all. It has potential but i'd still choose windows over it at the moment.

That said, it is good for older machines, I have ubuntu running quite well on a P2 300mhz laptop. Just not user friendly enough yet though.

A lot of terminal work doing what? My wife does all her things (email, surfing, PDF viewing, pictures, etc) without touching a terminal.

[dukebound85]

A lot of terminal work doing what? My wife does all her things (email, surfing, PDF viewing, pictures, etc) without touching a terminal.

installing themes and vmware tools is all ive tried and both made me dive in the terminal

when you add apps, do you need to use terminal? not a big deal but if you do,but i cant really expect my parents to pick up using linux as they are computer illiterate as it is lol

[danny_w]

Linux is (and has been for quite some time) widespread as internet servers and, to a lesser extent, as business data servers. However, people have been saying for years now that it will become widespread on the desktop as well, and it hasn't happened yet. As others have said I think it has to do largely with requiring terminal access for what should be even simple things, and especially whenever anything goes wrong. Unfortunately, because of the open nature of Linux, there is no central control to spearhead a resolution to this problem, everybody goes off in their separate directions, and the result is not exactly user friendly. This has resulted in the myriad of distros, which is quite daunting to a new user (even Microsoft Vista variants aren't this bad). Unless and until Linux is taken over by a single organization that can drive its development I don't see this ever changing. So no, I don't see Linux as ever becoming more than a curiosity on the desktop.

[belvdr]

installing themes and vmware tools is all ive tried and both made me dive in the terminal

when you add apps, do you need to use terminal? not a big deal but if you do,but i cant really expect my parents to pick up using linux as they are computer illiterate as it is lol

VMWare I know you have to, but I've never needed terminal for themes. In Ubuntu, you can use the Synaptics Package Manager (a GUI) to install/find packages. Easy as pie. :)

[nick9191]

widespread in the sense many could use it and not be clueless how to use it in a sense
They do:

Mobile Phones, set top boxes, etc.

If you include all devices and not just computers, Linux is far more widespread than Microsoft.

[dukebound85]

They do:

Mobile Phones, set top boxes, etc.

If you include all devices and not just computers, Linux is far more widespread than Microsoft.

i think you ALL know what i mean by more widespread so stop being smart arses:p

[belvdr]

i think you ALL know what i mean by more widespread so stop being smart arses:p

we can't help it really... :D

[nick9191]

Linux will become mainstream when a large company backs it, just as Apple did with BSD. Who will that company be? Google is my guess.

[JG271]

Linux will become mainstream when a large company backs it, just as Apple did with BSD. Who will that company be? Google is my guess.

Quite possibly google, android is already linux based.

[cube]

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_38/b4100084242512.htm

[belvdr]

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_38/b4100084242512.htm

Good point. HP already has significant resources allocated to Linux on their servers, including Itanium 2 boxes.

[cube]

And it's not only the cheaper netbooks coming with Linux, the Express Gate in new Asus motherboards is a Linux which boots in seconds to perform basic tasks quickly without having to wait for the whole OS to start.

[SnowLeopard2008]

Linux, due to its terminal independence, will not become mainstream until it solves the ease of use. I use it very rarely. As someone said, it feels like a hobby, not a, excuse if I'm wrong, fully usable OS.

[Les Kern]

It says RIGHT on the label: "Use for gearhead orgasm only."

Mainstream?
The gearheads are liars.

[iObama]

I just downloaded ubuntu and its pretty cool. however, it still requires a lot of terminal work to install simple things.

i believe if they can get that issue out of the way, linux would be much more easily grasped

what is your opinion?

Of course this question comes from a Ron Paul supporter... :D Just kidding.

And no, I don't think it will ever be widespread. It's been around for long enough and it isn't that successful with the general market.

[xUKHCx]

Right now I could leave my house and go to at least 4 shops I know in the close vacinity and buy a machine with Linux installed on it and be back in the house (debit card allowing) within about 15 minutes.

These machines are sold along side OSX and Vista machines.

And with Dell selling machines with Linux on, you could suggest that they have become widespread


I just downloaded ubuntu and its pretty cool. however, it still requires a lot of terminal work to install simple things.

i believe if they can get that issue out of the way, linux would be much more easily grasped

what is your opinion?

I sometimes use Linux mainly for the average use such as word processing, internet browsing, installing some applications and I didn't have to use the Terminal once through this use.

For what my parents and most people with just a home computer these tasks are easily achievable without the use of terminal.

I think the main limiting factor for the adoption of Linux/OSX is the perceived need for Windows.

[cube]

The problem is not the ease of use. The real issue is that developers of commercial applications for the individual don't care of are afraid to support it.

[yoppie]

I installed Ubuntu a few weeks ago on Parallels. It's my first time playing with Linux and it's ok but I'm not a fan of having to do everything through the terminal. I want a simple OS (which is why I love Apple).

[BornAgainMac]

Linux will be widespread when Microsoft becomes the new Commodore, Apple becomes the new Microsoft, and Linux becomes the new Apple.

[danny_w]

I installed Ubuntu a few weeks ago on Parallels. It's my first time playing with Linux and it's ok but I'm not a fan of having to do everything through the terminal. I want a simple OS (which is why I love Apple).
That is exactly why I bought the mini when it first came out (my first Mac). I had tried Linux many times over the years and always ran into difficulties here and there. Mac OS X to me was Linux with the polish that I so desperately sought in Linux. I had used computers since before the days of personal computers, and now just wanted something easy to use for home, and OS X fit the bill nicely. In my view Linux still has not caught up and never will because of the lack of a central party to steer it.

[zap2]

If it does, it won't be in its current forum.

Ubuntu is a step in the right direction, and so are the "simple" version for mass use(but they might be over doing it)


Currently I think its still a little rough(I still like it!) and needs more 3rd party support. Like my webcam needs to work in FF out of the box.

[dukebound85]

ok another related question.

kde vs gnome? i saw theres ubuntu and kubuntu. is there any advantage of one over the other?

[belvdr]

It's personal preference. I use Gnome, but some people like KDE. Use whichever one you like best.