How Linux Can Achieve Faster World Domination

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"you don't see a single piece of major software in a GPL format"

GPL isin't the be all and end all of Free Software Licenses. It can and has been modified to protect IP without stifling innovation a la Apache the most popular server software in the world. The fact that Apache is open source is it's strength and if you don't think that Apache HTTP server isn't a major software application I'd like to see you using the internet without it.
 
I'm a huge Ubuntu fan (I've tried to like other distros, but for the most part, cannot...), but I have to say that Randomizer has pretty much nailed it on every point.

Although, I will say:

Quote: "For new efforts, I recommend Mono or Python"

I am a C# developer, and I tried to start my first open-source Linux project in Mono, but I found Mono to be a steaming bucket of cack, and all but useless. Way too buggy, with a half-assed .NET implementation... I have some open-source Windows projects, but I think I'm going to wait for my first Linux project until I have time to properly learn Python or C++...
 
[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]The Linux install was PCLinuxOS as a dual boot using spare room on an existing Windows partition. I suggest you give it a try to see if I am exaggerating[/citation]
Tried PCLinuxOS for one of my spare comps, it never finished install on the comp, would not boot up once the install said it was done, but Windows XP installed and worked fine, again it completely depends on the computer. Can't generalize it that easily, Linux is a good OS, I do like it, but I keep end up going back to Windows cause of issues with Linux eventually.
I wouldn't mind Linux getting a bigger market share, but it's biggest plus (diversity) is what will stop it from achieving that, end-users don't want a completely different layout from one install to another, they want something familiar that works they way they know, and like it or not Windows gives that.
 
[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]I find this funny, I recently reinstalled XP on a friends computer after a virus ate here had drive. It took 5 hours to install the OS and all of the drivers for her hardware...[/citation]

And we still pick Windows over Linux! Now THAT'S funny!!! Linux is in bad shape. Has been for years.
 
There are suggestions that estimates of Linux's share of desktop users to be higher than the web stats suggest. They show Linux's share of business and home PCs about the same as Apple's. Not all business use their PC's to surf the web and as the OS is an aftermarket addition it is hard to generate firm figures.
 
I agree with the comments about MONO/fewer languages and moving away from C++. As a .NET developer, the most interest for me in terms of Linux is using Apache w/ MONO module and still being able to port and run my ASP.NET code. I have tried MONO with a straight WinForms app written in C#, and it worked without even recompiling. I haven't seen where support exists for ASP.NET MVC and other new technologies, but it seemed decent at the time.

So, I think there is more to Linux, Windows, OSX than most people are willing to admit. One reason for lack of adoption is due to the fact that there is a VERY large work force dedicated to the Windows platform. One could argue that if you adhere to standards, you can jump between platforms. While that may be true for HTML/JavaScript/abstracted (script) languages, it's not quite that easy when it comes to server-side languages. I know I can't spend all of my time learning everything about every platform and writing appropriate code for platform X. I would venture to guess this is true for other developers entrenched in a specific platform.

Ultimately, there is no compelling reason to switch platforms since the current Windows x86/x64 platforms work very well, provide a large technology/IT job base, and have the largest software library. That's not a jab or dig at any other platform, mind you.
 
[citation][nom]ronch79[/nom]I've used Ubuntu from November last year to last night. This was with my laptop, which I use only for office apps, movies and browsing the Net. I don't think it's good enough for my desktop though, which I use for games and some apps like Corel.The reason why I ditched Linux wasn't because it's a bad OS. It actually has some features I find very convenient. Thing is, the one area where users complain about is that you can't run the apps you normally use. And, simple things like a disk checking tool is lacking.Its console commands are also strange. Those 'sudo' commands are just plain weird. I grew up with DOS and use many DOS commands before, but I can't imagine why the Linux developers didn't choose simpler names that are easier to remember.Aside from those, just fix the bugs and polish the OS a bit more. Perhaps Ubuntu 10.4 would bring more good things to the Linux community.[/citation]
Linux shell commands are the same ones Unix used long before DOS existed. They are also many times more powerful than DOS.
 
All that really needs to be done for adoption with people above stupid is to put a little focus into OOP and generate a version of linux with familiar command line inputs. having all this -p -jack -fnur -qctux -gcm and more for a single line takes just way too much time to learn. People unfamiliar with linux also makes it extremely difficult to troubleshoot for it since there's a ridiculous amount of version types and command line options to mess with. It's not as easy as windows where a simple driver update or registry change or patch will fix a problem that autoinstalls. I installed fedora once and i loved the ease of install, the thousands of programs that you had the option of installing or not which included it's own set of games, but I had the most difficult time installing a program using command line options, and i have a fairly deep background with windows and dos which includes programming across the VB/C spectrum. If things were easier to get a grip with on linux i'm sure you'd find more adoption. It wouldn't be hard for me to learn, but I just don't have the time to invest in memorizing the commands. At least OSX is a stone's throw from windows.
 
If Linux only had an as good game support as Windows; although it's getting better!
 
[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]I find this funny, I recently reinstalled XP on a friends computer after a virus ate here had drive. It took 5 hours to install the OS and all of the drivers for her hardware, TV card, Printer, Network card, Scanner, Graphic card..etc. After the install I installed Linux for her so that she could open emails safely. it took 20 mins and everything but the printer and scanner was already set up, they took another five mins to do. All done on the GUI, no need for a terminal or bash.The XP install was a bare install, office took another 25 mins and I left her to do the many more hours it will take her to download and install the service packs and updates. The Linux install included many programs too many to list, and the update ran in under 20 mins.[/citation]Ever heard of slipstreaming? If it took me that long to install XP (free antivirus is useful, by the way) and some drivers, I'd consider it my failure. Not the operating system - unless we're talking some seriously ancient hardware.
 
First, invest millions of donor dollars on making a monkey-proof version. Second, give it a name change like, Utopia, Shangri-La or Hollywood. Third, accept what you cannot change. Forth, embrace nichehood.
 
"Ever heard of slipstreaming? If it took me that long to install XP (free antivirus is useful, by the way) and some drivers, I'd consider it my failure. Not the operating system - unless we're talking some seriously ancient hardware."

Would have been nice to have a Slipstream CD ready to run, or create one from a XP installation CD, there was only one small problem as it was a five year old HP desktop and only had the OEM rescue disk with limited options this was never going to happen. So I think HP have to take some blame by not providing the customer with the operating system they have paid for. As for free antivirus, I did install AVG free but this required the removal of the bundled Norton apps that the rescue CD installed but were not required, more time wasted, again HP to blame. The constant restarting required by the scripted rescue disk and the failure to provide an option for formatting the replacement hard drive are to blame for the length of time needed. My post was a reply to somebody who was complaining about Linux taking too long and being too difficult to Install. I was just pointing out that Windows can also be a bitch to get running sometimes. Also I did say I too had trouble with Ubuntu installs, namely being slow and the hardware detection was poor, so it was not a senseless rant against
Windows.

I would also admit to not being an expert in Windows, the last time I preformed a Windows install on one of my own machines it was Vista Home Professional (for gaming and occasional IE use.) and that wasn't straightforward either, but it was an early version of Vista. I have no intention of paying for Windows7, so I never bothered with the RC download. It will be years before DirectX 11 games are worth upgrading for and by then Windows8 will be out.
 
Althougt I am quite resourcefull in Windows and a newby in linux something like Ubuntu or Linux Mint is: easier and faster to instal, fully operational; for most uses is at least as good as windows 7; it is quite problem free; popular software is really easy to instal; there is free software for almost everything.

The big problem is lack of games and high end/professional software (eg Adobe, Audio Apps) that people need or know to use, that have advantages that paid software can have.

TODAY LINUX IS GOOD AND EASY FOR ALMOST EVERYONE, just gaming and the lack of specific comercial apps are problematic.

At least thta is my personal experience and some other that tried my setup.
 
[citation][nom]pochacco007[/nom]no matter how superior linux operates as compared to mac os or windows, it sucks![/citation]


No matter how superior Mercedes operates as compared to Ford or or Hyundai, it sucks!

See how silly that statement looks when you change the industry. Did you actually engage your brain before typing it?
 
"I don't think the 'one distro to rule them all' idea is good, and it will never be accepted anyway."

And that's exactly why Linux world domination will never happen.

I'm not saying that the current system is bad per se, it's simply incompatible with the kind of users you'd have to attract to achieve that particular goal.

Half-hearted, and grudging, efforts at making the system less clunky and offering more choice just won't do at this point in time. There seems to be this prevalent attitude that users have to conform to the operating system rather than the other way around but that's just not the way it works.

People, as a general rule, want tools that 'just work'. That doesn't just mean stability and function however, it also means having a consistent interface, interoperability and a low threshold of learning.

Most people frequenting THG are very poor examples of the common computer user, varying from computer enthusiasts to professionals within the IT community.

"TODAY LINUX IS GOOD AND EASY FOR ALMOST EVERYONE"

The problem with that argument is that so is Windows 7, and MacOS X for that matter.

Indeed the purely technical advantage Linux has enjoyed over the other operating systems is less noticeable today than it has ever been before. On top of that I'd argue that as a platform it's not much closer to user-friendliness than it was 10 years ago.

Yes, some distributions are better than others but the multitude of 'forms' of the operating system is simply exacerbating the issue rather than helping.
 
After i Install New ATI driver Catalyst 10.2 the GUI can't be started and my PC frozen before i get in Desktop .
I remember when i was using win ME and something like that happened i run it in Safe mode and hit start menu and type regedit/restore and i select the restore point (from CAB file already stored)
why simple thing like this not exist on Linux why i have to write long repeated and commands to restore my Xorg.config file .
 
I've used Windows since 3.1. Linux I've tried a few times and just got bored with it soon after installation. Recently I've installed 2 windows 7 systems and 1 Ubuntu. Had problems with getting all three set up exactly the way I want them. They are all working well now though mainly due to the online communities for both systems. If I was like 90% of computer users, they wouldn't be working. People want boxes that they turn on and it works without any real effort on thier parts. How many people do you still run into that call a case a cpu? Linux takes commitment, Linux takes learning about your equipment, Linux means becoming part of a community that KNOWS it's software.

Worried about games on the pc? Game systems took that market a long time ago. Yes there are some great games for the pc, but really how many games do you have in your living room for systems compared to your pc. Go to Best Buy and look at the aisles for pc games compared to consoles.

My point is, stop worring about replacing Windows/Mac/Google?. Let the 90% have thier push button, oh my god I have to call tech support, systems. If you want Linux to do something different then stop complaining that it doesn't. Learn how to do it or find someone in the community to help you with your ideas. Those other systems are owned by their companies, Linux is not. It's the only system that we truely, collectly, decide it's direction.
 
[citation][nom]skittle[/nom]I run debian "testing" x64, but until linux gets proper hardware/driver/software support from manufacturers (ATI, Adobe im looking at you), linux is destined to fail in the real world Another interesting fact: Linux boots up faster on my old IDE drive, than windows 7 on my new OCZ vertex[/citation]

You are loading a lot of crapware if Windows 7 is taking longer to boot than Debian. Mine pulls 1GB of data off an old Raptor to load a ramdisk and still gets up faster than Linux on my Intel SSD.
 
the day linux breaks the 2% market share is the day they abandon terminal commands & make all programs install using .deb .

you have to admit that 90% of programs for linux are all in tar.gz etc & are a nightmare to those new to it.

i've given up using the ./configure, make, make install commands since they never work. ether terminal goes wtf or your miss x amount of lib's to complete the install.
 
I reguraly try various distros, but none works as it supposed to. Ubuntu is the funniest, it does not even have proper default resolution, you have to use TAB at first, unlike in Win95. I can instal Win7x64 and apps within an hour, with a few tweaks, disabled services, it runs like a charm. And by the way, you do not need AV (just flashblock, opendns, no email attachments and so) nor a firewall in Windows to be secure (closed ports = stealthed ports). I am looking forward to use Linux someday, but Linux development is just too far behind Windows and with 1-2% wordwide usage (mostle servers), it does not seems good. In short, for people with plenty time like kids Linux is a great tool to learn, explore and solve Linux problems like sound and such, but for working people, Windows is the simple solution, you get what you paid for, that applies to Linux as well. :)
 
It takes Me about an hour to install Kubuntu 9.10 on this dinosaur Compaq.
XP takes 6 hours.
I tried to install a AMD video card,forget about that.
Kubuntu does what I need for a browser and without the constant update headache.
GIMP is an awesome program and WINE works for old games without any sweat.
Got an old desktop laying around?
Try Kubuntu for yourself,its almost free,just costs one thin CD to burn it on.
Kubuntu? Cheers!
 
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