Linux of the future?
 

What kind of Linux do you think will win on the long run? I'm not talking about a specific distro, moreso of about linuxes based on some distro. There are tons of distros out there, but most of them are based on one of the major distros ("base distros"), which currently are AFAIK:
- Redhat / Fedora
- Debian
- Slackware
- SUSE

There might be other bases like my Gentoo but my knowledge is pretty limited.

Since I honestly don't have a clue I'm asking you:
What do you think has most longlasting solutions and operating base for the future? Discuss!

:)
 

Hi, I don't have a whole lot of experience in a lot of the major Distros, but my favorite would have to be Debian for its ease of use(especially in transition from Windoes) and its GUI. To be honest... I just like the feel of it, lol ;)

I say Debian & Slack will still be around for a while .

Novell Suse & Redhat Fedora are backed by companies so I would be that sure .

But in the end its open source so none of them should "die" .

I so hope Novell dont completly scerw up SuSE .. hope dies last .

When you say "Linux of the Future", some might think farther ahead. First, what are the current trends with mainstream computing? I'll start:

1. OS cost as a percentage of the total computer cost is increasing
2. More "on-line" applications
3. The move towards document format standards--especially in government
4. Linux maturing to the point that it already supports 90+% of what the average user does.

Add up these trends, and it is hard to predict where we will be in 10 years, except that the MS monopoly will be weaker, and Open Source will be stronger.

Now, let's predict a significant milestone: A computer preconfigured with Linux is displayed in a mainstream American computer store--eg CompUSA.

• I say within 3 years
• Has this happened already somewhere?

I'd say that what the linux of the future (and now) needs, or will be consists of what pixellany said.. " 90+% of what the average user does." but to elaborate a bit more... a regular Joe should be able to buy a device off the shelf, say a USB wireless device, or ANY wireless device for that matter and be able to plug it in and just work, perhaps even at worse, using the Windows divers via Wine/ndiswrapper or whatever WITHOUT the required fiddling around.

I also envision desktop commonality. IE. GTK and QT apps LOOK THE SAME and work the same regardless of the users desktop of choice (I know work on this has begun) imagine choosing 1 font for ALL apps and have them look the same in Gnome,KDE,XFCE,enlightemnemt...etc...

I envision the ability to run down to BestBuy or Fryes and pick up DukeNukem Forever 2 :-) and have the choice of a win32 or Linux install (or MAC)

I envision being able to play a DVD or listen to a MP3 in linux here in the US without breaking some ridiculous copyright law.

I envision waiting in line at a superstore to get the latest iTUX wireless PMP completely free of DRM and 100% compatible with all OS'es and online services (ain't holding my breath for this one tho)


I envision PHB CIO's around the world NOT referring to Linux as 'shareware' (yes, I've heard one call it that)

I can envision more but I'm starting to rant.

:-)