Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 12th Feb 2008 21:32 UTC, submitted by Flatland_Spider
The Linux Foundation has posted the second half of its long and thorough interview with Linux founder Linus Torvalds, part of the Foundation's 'open voices' podcast. While the first part of the interview focused on the Linux development community, this time Torvalds sounds off on everything from patents and innovation to the future of Linux. According to Torvalds the reason Linux hasn't taken off is that most people are happy with the way things are. "If you act differently from Windows, even if you act in some ways better, it doesn't matter; better is worse if it's different." Torvalds also attributes much of the frustration with Windows Vista to this same idea. In other words, it's not that Vista is worse than XP, but it's different and that causes distress among users.
Thread beginning with comment 300638
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2007-04-12
Hmm, I think you're onto something there with the users.
Currently users with very few special needs are able to edit spreadsheets and documents, e-mail, chat, look at pictures, etc. on the web.
Intermediate users often want more advanced apps that may not be supported on a Linux platform and unwilling or not knowledgeable enough to look for alternatives.
Then there are the advanced users like you stated. We are comfortable installing a new OS (Windows or Linux) we know how much RAM our computer has, what an OS is, etc.
So in short, yes, I agree.
Member since:2005-07-24
I feel that Linux works well for two kinds of people. Those who know so little about a computer that all they need to do is browse the web, check email, and nothing else...and those who are very technical and know more than the basics of how a computer operates. The middle category of users who don't know much about computers but want to do a lot more with them requires this standardization that helps them figure things out on their own.
I agree. Those who know they don't know much do fine with Linux. Those who do know a lot do fine with Linux, *BSD, OpenSolaris, Plan9, Haiku, Sylable. or even Windows. Those who know just enough to be dangerous think they need Windows, and in so doing make themselves dangerous.
(Excuse me while I purge this organ enlargment spam just sent to me by some botnet.)
Now, where was I? Oh, yes. It's the self-proclaimed "power users" who really don't know nothin' whom I truly detest.
RE[2]: No Standardization
by unclefester on Thu 14th Feb 2008 13:27
in reply to "RE: No Standardization"
Member since:2007-01-13
Member since:2006-12-07
Recent Original Stories
Recent Comments
Headlines
Random Comments
Random Stories
Random OS Link
Member since:
2007-06-24
I think the main reason that users aren't flocking to Linux is the fact that there is no real standardization. You can use one distribution and learn how to set it up for the hardware you're using, then use another and it's completely different. Sometimes you don't even edit or create the same files in the same places to perform the same tasks. To someone who grew up with technology and is familiar with everything, this might not be much of an issue, but for those who are only mildly technical, this is a gigantic hurdle.
I feel that Linux works well for two kinds of people. Those who know so little about a computer that all they need to do is browse the web, check email, and nothing else...and those who are very technical and know more than the basics of how a computer operates. The middle category of users who don't know much about computers but want to do a lot more with them requires this standardization that helps them figure things out on their own.
Just my opinions, anyways!