This is a thought I've had about Linux and how it compares overall to Windows XP, excuse me if it seems a bit random or pointless...


I've been using Linux for some time now and like everyone here have come to appreciate everything about it, including the use of the command line and the complexities often involved in setting up an operating system. (After all for a person who has only used Win XP, before using Linux how could he or she ever have any idea that one could have so much control over their own operating system). This, however, is what I think holds Linux back in some ways because the only people who end up moving to Linux are those that have either an interest in learning more about computers or have an external motivation, such as they need to use Linux for work, their business, etc as Windows XP won't meet their needs (I would say this is the case for me).

What I have realized is that although there are numerous Linux distributions out there, all of the ones that are free are basically being made for the people who make them, meaning that the creators of the distro usually use that distro themselves. This is fine, of course, and better for the overall usefullnes of the distros, but what it does is maintain a learning curve gap between Linux and Win XP that will never be broken as the people who create the distros know a lot about Linux and the people who begin to use the distro (take Ubuntu as an example) "learn Linux" as they go along, meaning that they learn the new things about Linux that differ from Windows XP. Ubuntu is a very easy to use Linux distro for a person that knows basic Linux but for someone moving to it from Windows XP it is rather difficult to get started.

The thought I have had is that if a distro were to be created by the Linux community aimed specifically at non-Linux users this could be beneficial as a whole to Linux. This would essentially mean that the people who create the distro would have no intention of using it themsleves, but rather to make it as simplified as possible for a new user. Anyways, I just thought this could be a good idea since it could attract more people to Linux, but it would obviously take a lot of work on the part of developers so it may be impractical.

I think the problem with this is that the people who make free linux distros basically do it as a hobby, while proprietary OSs make money from their work. I think the only possible way to develop such a "very simple" distro is to somehow make money with it.

I doubt everyone here appreciates everything about Linux.

Not everyone desires to be in complete control. And you're only in complete control if you have the knowledge.

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The idea is to have an ALTERNATIVE operating system, not have a free/open source Windows look-alike operating system. [See ReactOS or whatever it's called.]

I guess you're right that everyone doesn't appreciate everything about it.. by the way, I in no way meant this as that I am an expert in Linux, rather I appreciate the complexities and the fact that there is almost always an answer for what I have to do, that I just have to look further to find it.

With Windows there is no way to really find anything out about the OS since its closed source, so even if a Windows user has an interest they really can't do much in the same way they can in Linux, so if more people started using Linux this could spark more interest.. One of the reaons I care about this issue is that I would really like to see a lot of the software programs that are made for Windows also made for Linux, such as web development applications. I know that there are alternatives for Linux but they are not as good as the ones made for Windows and its a shame since Linux is the better OS.