Linux desktop: Starting with the right set of expectations

What would we think of Windows if our only experience was with Linux? That's the question that EasyGeek seeks to answer...and to interesting effect.

EasyGeek assumes a market in which Linux is dominant and then reviews the Windows upstart desktop. This is a fair way of going about reviewing Windows, given that, as the writer suggests, the market's predisposition for Windows has very little to do with technical superiority, and instead is simply a function of Windows being around for a long time.

Here's a sample:

Due to the size of the install DVD, I was expecting a full-featured OS complete with good burning software, an office suite, etc. What I got was entirely sub-par. No decent cd-burning software was provided, and I found that to get one, (Nero) I would have to pay extra. Wow. With Ubuntu, I could get K3b for free, with the benefit of it being open-source too.

That said, I do believe that there are some glaring deficiencies in the Linux desktop, especially as pertains to ease of use. Having had to go through the nightmare of installing something as simple as Firefox on my SUSE-based machine three years ago, I would not wish that experience on my worst enemy. Hopefully it has gotten better since then, but it only takes one horrible experience to dissuade people from trying again.

Perhaps that's why I use a Mac. It's easy. Everything just works. Always. Or close to always.

[comsprt]

lets assume also that linux has spent the last 5 or 6 years being hounded with monopoly lawsuits and unfair business practices which would limit the add-on apps availble in a desktop linux. there wouldn't be open office or a dvd burner or alot of the free stuff that comes with a linux distro. Now lets review upstart windows against a dominant Linux.

[Aeuta]

Monopoly lawsuits?
Don't you have to be Monopoly first?

Unfair business practices?
Don't you have to be a business first?
Sure some make money of technical support..but what would you charge them with?

Also, how would applications be limited?
Applications are made separate from the Linux distribution.

[mitchellsoft]

Comsprt, are you serious? What distribution of Linux requires that you use the bundled burning software or office application? You can choose to install or not install almost every single piece of Linux. If you don't like a particular app almost every distribution will let you run a package manager, remove the program you don't like and then let you select another one that provides the same functionality. There ARE other assumptions that I believe were missed, but "unfair business practices which would limit the add-on apps available" is far from one of them. Also, with all of the distributions out there, how does being a monopoly fit?

[unixbiz]

Matt,
You have been in a cave when it comes to Linux these days. The latest Linux install of Ubuntu & other new Linux desktop OS come with everything loaded including: Firefox, open office, open source media player for video & music, wireless network works right out the box, cd burning apps. For the average new Linux user, there is no need to do any technical trick. The system works right out the box an the latest Ubuntu 7.10 & Mandriva 2008 OS installation is easy than MS Windows install. You just boot the computer with the Linux CD and the OS with apps are up in running even without installing Linux. It even mount all of your Windows PC drives & folders. They even come with tools to fix you PC windows such as GUI hard drive partition utilities. Everything is with a click of the mouse with Linux desktop OS these days. You don't even need to install Linux, just boot it with the Live CD & use an external usb drive to store your data. So you can run Linux on every PC without touching any changes to Windows. Now this is the power of Linux computing. Click mouse only. No need command line coding unless you are a geek & want to do more. But even Windows power users need to use command lines & coding config to get advanced things done. It is not the desktop OS lack of functionality, it is the advanced features in any OS that require more technical skills. Did you know that the latest Apple Mac is a Unix OS under the hood ? Next time you are in front of a new Mac, try to run terminal and you will see a unix command line terminal.

[pjcamp]

Everything on a Mac is either trivial or impossible. Depends whether Steve thought you needed to do that or not. And when it is trivial, there is only one way to do it. You have to adjust your work patterns to the machine, not vice versa, and that is bad user design. And quite surprising given the extent to which Don Norman influenced Apple. In my last job, I had to use Macs for 5 years. I was agnostic at the beginning and leaning against them by the end. It was a death of a thousand tiny frustrations.

[Motyoj]

Adjust your work patterns to the machine? Sounds like you're talking about a Windows box. Mac OS X is miles ahead of Windows. I couldn't really say that about it till OS X came out. I have used it all, as far as a home user. Windows, Mac, Linux. The latest version of Ubuntu is actually easier than Windows now. If one were learning to use a computer for the first time and learned Linux, Windows would befuddle them. One would have to wonder why you can't alter programs to fit your needs and why after spending all the money for the operating system, it still doesn't belong to you. Some day the world will wake up and wonder why they've been duped for so long into being zombies that get their wallets out every five minutes or are re-installing Windows. Then maybe they'll get some work done and have a little extra to step outside and enjoy life.

[poohbug]

Again it is all about the almighty dollar. Linux being as it is - open sourced. Then there is Windoze, not open sourced. All the add on software that runs on the Windoze platform must be, for the most part, purchased unless we install available software like the awesome OpenOffice.org. It all comes down to what type of OS we like to use. Unfortunately for many, at our place of business, we are indeed stuck with whatever OS our company uses so there are many times for us - no choice.

[poohbug]

..in addition, I can't help but comment on this age old debate. I am a Windoze user. I have the new Vista and I have no problems what so ever with my machine. I have also used Linux, and Mac. I like them all really. I actually had the Linux Fedora Core 6 installed on my last machine prior to upgrading my workstation. I did a lot of research prior to getting my new box. I had my choice between any OS my heart desired. After a long series of research sessions lasting more that 10 hours, I opted for Windoze Vista. I like Vista the best. But hey...that's me. I think it is retarded to debate which OS is the best. I think it cries sheer ignorance to actually voice that one OS is "better" than another. All OS's have their week points, and certainly their strng points. each OS will appeal to every user differently. Let the debate die people, let it die. I wish each could just enjoy their respective OS's and leave it at that. There's a lot of energy thrown at discussions like these. A waist of time really. Look at me, waisting my time defending them all. I think a really good positive worthwhile discussion on BIOS or CPU overclocking would be a lot better highest and best use of each other's time. As long as we each have the OS to post comments, I think we should use that forum for more worthwhile activities...

[jefelex]

I've been using linux since RedHat 7.0 - a lot of development has occurred since then, and Linux wins hands down. There is no comparison between Windoze and _any_ modern linux box, they are all so much easier to use than Windows - I mainly mean that with every clock cycle of my computer, so much less of my resources (ie: $$$ and time) are being used by linux. I have to use windows at work, and am always glad to get home and use a proper computer interface while relaxing. This tech site is quite bogus - it has so little discussion about MSDOS alternatives, but I guess they all are the same. Linux has it's own world - I'm happy there!

John

[ftmthy412]

The article referenced here is now posted on EasyGeek's new site.
http://www.easygeek.org/node/12