Linked by Jeremy LaCroix on Wed 13th Apr 2005 06:51 UTC
I've only been using GNU/Linux since 2001, so I won't say that I'm by any means an expert yet, as most of those that are reading this, probably have been using Linux much longer than I have. However, I still have high hopes for the Linux scene. The purpose of this article is to voice my personal opinion on what I feel is keeping GNU/Linux from taking over the mainstream operating system market. My intentions aren't to "badtalk" the open source kernel+apps, but rather give constructive criticsm on what I personally feel it could be done better.
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Standard API
- Linux does not have a standard api that everyone uses like DirectX or OpenGL/Carbon. This eliminates the need for dependancies which are no matter how you look at it nasty.
Standard Software Installation
- A universal installation package is needed.
- Users need to be able to choose where they install to in the case of programs.
- An Uninstalation package is also needed (one much better than windows, which actually removes the programs and associations).
Standard Hardware Installation
- This is needed if linux is ever to take off.
Centralized and Easy Configuration.
- Instaling and configuring a hardware device that is not supported by the kernel should not require editing in some cases up to four text files.
People that say the reason linux isn't used is more a cultural thing are wrong. The reason why it is used is a cultural thing. I have plenty of people that come into the computer store I work at and ask about linux. Microsoft is about the most hated software company in the industry.
You are blind if you want it to be widely used and supported but only aim it toward computer guru's. BTW: The store I work for does sell a couple of linspire based linux systems.