Linux for masses or only for enthusiasts?
 

I’ve played with Linux few times and always I came back to hated so much Windows.

Where is the problem?

It’s a simple one.

Linux is designed to have an operator, servant who will spend thousands of hours trying to set it up and keep up with very frequent updates.

What most people are forgetting, is the basic concept of the Operating System.

It’s a workbench with some tools and objective is to put a project on that workbench and start to work.

Now compare what you could do on Linux and what you could do on Windows.

Firstly, instead of learning how to use your tools, you have to be a slave to workbench!

In both cases, Linux and Windows! But you will have to spend much more time on Linux.

What MS has done, they have simplified many features of their workbench and now we could do a lot with WinXP and programs running on it.

Now, what can’t be done on Linux?

Music. I’m pro muzo and I’m doing pro recordings. Also I’m doing pro graphics, using Adobe and PSP.

In both cases, when I would switch to Linux, I would unemployed!

Cubase. Logic, DigiDesign, Cakewalk, Sound Forge, Wave Labs and thousands of tools I use are not available in Linux.

Graphics. Similar thing is happening here and while I could learned and use some high quality programs for graphics but… is very few of those ones and if I would be a pro graphic designer, I would loose my job quickly on Linux.

We have an other option and ONLY price is the factor, which stops masses to use that operating system.

MAC! I can do ALL of above on MAC!

What chances Linux has in current form?

It’s just a workbench without many tools. You can’t do much on it! Beside Internet and word processing it’s just a toy for enthusiasts who are boasting to be smart and different then others because they mastered to have a workbench on their machines.

And is clean.

And they are doing almost nothing on it because it does not have many tools.

When Adobe, DIGI, Steinberg and many other will decide to go Linux, than Linux has SOME chances to get to massive market.

Still, MAC is a great and preferred option and will be hard to beat.

For masses Windoze will be king for many years.

So far Linux is sentenced to be use only by small group of enthusiasts.

Simplicity of the operating system is the key.

On one Star Trek movie they went back in time of year 2000. Kirk tried to use a computer.

He said “Computer start!”.

Computer didn’t.

“You must switch power first” – Kirk was advised.

“You are joking, right?” :)

Just put CD with a game in Linux machine.

And what?

Nothing!

Think about it!

Just a workbench without many tools.

You can’t do much on it!

Someone please move this to General?

I don't think we need another one of those
on this forum :}

Ta,
Tink

Re: Linux for masses or only for enthusiasts?
 

more than half the internet is on linux (ed: or maybe i should say *nix), so there goes that theory. nice try, though. :p

smcoptyltd -- I have a few comments and a question.

First, your analogy of an operating system as a workbench is an interesting one. I tend to agree with you on this. I think many times computer people enjoy working on a computer just for the enjoyment of working on a computer; that's fine, but computer people need to remember that most people don't want to compute for computing's sake, they just want a tool to do other stuff (music, graphic arts, writing letters, etc) as easily as possible. Most people don't care WHY it works, and they shouldn't have to.

Second though, you say "Beside Internet and word processing [Linux is] just a toy for enthusiasts who are boasting to be smart and different than others." I don't think that's quite fair.
A) Linux isn't just a toy for enthusiasts. Linux may be a poor choice for many consumers (or corporations.) And, from what you say Linux is currently very weak for corporate graphics work. However, it is very good for other important uses, including web servers, other servers, and some corporate desktops (some people only need "internet and word processing" at work.)
B) Yes, I think there are some boastful enthusiasts who almost talk down to lesser users, but there are more enthusiasts who don't. Some enthusiasts work on Linux not to claim they are smarter than others, but because they ENJOY it. This doesn't necessarily make Linux useful to anyone else, but neither does it make all Linux enthusiasts boastful.

Third, I think your post talks about two different major subjects, Linux not being a good enough consumer workbench yet, and Linux not having enough tools (application support.) These are both important issues, but I think they are partially separate. I'm afraid I personally agree with you that Linux as an operating system currently requires too much care and feeding, and fussing, and tweaking--more than a good workbench should (although I think it's getting better.) However, application support isn't the same issue. Even if Linux was as easy to use as Mac OS, application support could still be a problem because of the historical accident of Windows grabbing up so much of the market share. My point is that any lack of application support (or hardware driver support) may not be the fault of Linux. Now I am not saying that the REASONS for any lack of application support matter to you--you have work to do. However, If we WANT to think about how to change that, or if we even want to discuss what's wrong with the state of Linux, we should make sure we analyze all the real causes for any lack of application support.

Finally my question. May I ask you, why did you write this post? Were you hoping for a Windows/Mac alternative, and frustrated that Linux proved so inadequate for you? Did some Linux users enthusiastically recommended it to you, and you want to tell them that recommending Linux is not doing a favor to non-enthusiasts? Have you seen strongly worded posts saying that Linux is great for everything, and you want these people to get a clue? Have Linux enthusiasts come across as arrogant to you? Do you want an alternative operating system to succeed and want to point out to people why you believe Linux is currently very inadequate? At first I thought you were maybe complaining just to enjoy complaining, but you obviously put some thought and effort into the post, so I am guessing there is some other reason. To put it another way, what belief that others hold are you trying to correct with this post, and why is it important enough to you to make the effort to correct them? (I'm not saying you don't have a reason, I'm just wondering what it is.)

I apologize for how long and wordy this is. I hope I haven't offended anyone (greatly :-) Thanks.

Bah. Cut the jibba jabba!

My sound card works, my internet works, my graphics drivers are installed, my wireless usb mouse works flawlessly, and I have a certain degree of assurance that my computer is going to boot up every day without some random driver deciding to corrupt.

On top of all that, it's free. That's good enough for me. :)

Your situation may be different. If Linux isn't right for you, don't use it. It's that simple. Nobody's trying to push Linux on you(*$&&#&$...6*%*4$$$1010011010

...program update...

QUICK!!! ASSIMILATE HIM! RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

:)

[quote]Cubase. Logic, DigiDesign, Cakewalk, Sound Forge, Wave Labs and thousands of tools I use are not available in Linux.[quote]

so what ?

linux doesnt have Sound Forge, well WIndows Doesnt have gmplayer, jyst like japan doesnt have a royal bank of england, but japan seems to be doing okay.

if you use linux, you have to use linux programs, there are linux alternativs to all windows programs.

and i dont know what you mean about the extra time linux takes to setup.
i ccan completely reinstall linux in 15 minutes.
it takes 3 - 4 hours in windows having to install driver after driver and re-booting all the time.

linux and widnows are very different, you probably feel lost in linux cos ur used to windows, just as a linux user would feel lost in wondows.

if you dont like linux, use windows. its no problem.

"May I ask you, why did you write this post? Were you hoping for a Windows/Mac alternative, and frustrated that Linux proved so inadequate for you? Did some Linux users enthusiastically recommended it to you, and you want to tell them that recommending Linux is not doing a favor to non-enthusiasts? Have you seen strongly worded posts saying that Linux is great for everything, and you want these people to get a clue? Have Linux enthusiasts come across as arrogant to you? Do you want an alternative operating system to succeed and want to point out to people why you believe Linux is currently very inadequate? At first I thought you were maybe complaining just to enjoy complaining, but you obviously put some thought and effort into the post, so I am guessing there is some other reason. To put it another way, what belief that others hold are you trying to correct with this post, and why is it important enough to you to make the effort to correct them? (I'm not saying you don't have a reason, I'm just wondering what it is.)"

I have few friends, who are constantly pushing me into Linux. Unfortunately ALL of them have also... surprise... a decent machine with windoze on it! ;-P

After several fiery discussions I've decided to ask others what they think about Linux.

As I stated in the subject, I feel strongly that Linux is perfect for serious networking, for Internet. Mainly corporate users and enthusiasts.

So far I think that my judgment is a correct one.

I use MAC and PC with Win XP. Right now I'm d/loading Mandrake 9.2 and I will have it on 2-nd hdd and I will start to work on it in my free time.

Why I'm bitching?

Because I know well that all adventure will take 2 hours of fun with Linux
and I will still have to work on my PC printing invoices, making quotes (I'm a computer technician and a retailer) and... I hate M$, but I feel like in a prison of M$.

I just have to be in M$ camp and I would love Linux to be a winner!

I do believe VER STRONGLY that free OS with no frigging spying s/ware, no activation crap and frigging stickers on computers, no OEM crap and without back doors is

THE FUTURE OF COMPUTING and FUTURE OF HUMANKIND!

No frigging Big Brother watching and telling you, where the hell you should go today!

All these licenses, patent’s (often frozen and removed from use) are making a great harm for us, earthlings.

I have great hope for Linux but so far it is just a dream. ;-(

IMHO the trick would be to make Linux similar to Windoze. The way Linux works should be easy implementing trick of Win XP and IMHO Linux would not suffer by being in many aspects identical just ON THE SURFACE to Windows. Whenever is possible, could be better and I think that programs allowing running typical Windoze programs on Linux are winners at the fist stage.

Maybe some slight cooperation with guys like Steinberg, Adobe will make Linux friendly to Adobe or Steinberg or to ID software. ( I love Q3A!)

And Lindows's $100 price tag... is a joke!

I would pay even $300 if I could rum Office 2003, Office XP and Adobe.

At this stage is worth to me maybe $15.00.

I think the Linux community should push not to make more scripts and stuff like that but should be much stronger push for proper installers.

Installers for drivers and installers for programs. These HAVE TO put ALL files in right folders and the process of installing, let's say Quake 3 Arena have to be as quick and in XP or... FASTER!

Linux has a huge chance to reach the threshold of domination over M$.

All China goes on Linux and Linux community should speed up that path and make Linux available for masses.

To make it happen, all things should be simple. Couple clicks and program is installed or... perfectly removed.

Any commands typed is a curse of Linux.

Not for me… for users I’m dealing every day in my work.

Windows is hard enough for most users!

Anything harder than Windows has no chances to be loved by masses.