Why linux isn't the #1 desktop SO?

[MexNopal]

Why linux isn't the #1 desktop SO?

If is better than Windows why isnt #1?

It is better than a Mac OS?


I'm doing some research for a conference....


Help!

[sr71000]

that's a completley objective question. Right now if you want to game....windows xp is where it's all at. If you're a beginner and really need something super easy to use, windows is where it's at. (linux can't touch the windows installer....or the hardware support). You may also recommend mac osx for ease of use but i don't use osx so i can't really judge . For stability and security...right now linux is really ahead of the game...but that may just be security through obscurity...but i don't know. That's kinda like asking what's better? apples, oranges, or grapes? It all depends on who you ask!

[zepper]

All Joe consumer knows is Intel and Windows - very hard to sell them on something else unless low cost is their overriding value.

.bh.

[EXreaction]

Biggest problems(as I see them) with:

Windows: Very easy for novices to install something that they shouldn't(something that will damage their software).

Linux: Bad driver support and buggy hardware configuration GUI's.

OSX: Can't just buy the software; is not natively compatible with most hardware setups.

What I would recommend to people for OS's:

Gamer: Dual boot XP/Vista, Vista drivers are not yet mature enough to support all games, but XP will soon be left behind with WGF 2.0 in Vista.

Novice with no specific software needs(other than text editing, browsing the web, etc): Ubuntu if someone who has experience can get it setup so it interacts with the hardware correctly(all good drivers get installed). Windows if there hardware range is out of what Ubuntu can easily support.

[sr71000]

ehh...for someone who wants to just do really basic computing (web browsing, moves, and common place stuff) i'd recommend a mac mini. I'm really starting to be interested in the macs....even though i swore I never would! lol. Maybe it is just security through obscurity but hell...if it works, why not go with it?

[MexNopal]

thanks..... now is more clear...

[Tekk]

ehh...for someone who wants to just do really basic computing (web browsing, moves, and common place stuff) i'd recommend a mac mini. I'm really starting to be interested in the macs....even though i swore I never would! lol. Maybe it is just security through obscurity but hell...if it works, why not go with it?

The Mac Mini's are VERY nice machines. Plus if you really dont feel like dropping the Windows OS you can simultaneous run Windows XP and OSX (a Mac fanatic at one of my clients actually has his Mac mini as his main OS and its a Windows shop...he just runs a dual boot type setup...although its not the traditional dual boot)

[aj654987]

Two other reasons why MS is on the majority of machines:

OEM builders like Dell and HP almost always include an MS OS on their systems. So when the majority of businesses and institutions purchase PCs they already had MS OS included in the price.

Specific software: there are specific industries that need to use say Avid and Photoshop or say Autocad and some analysis software that is not available on Linux.

[MexNopal]

Two other reasons why MS is on the majority of machines:

OEM builders like Dell and HP almost always include an MS OS on their systems. So when the majority of businesses and institutions purchase PCs they already had MS OS included in the price.

Specific software: there are specific industries that need to use say Avid and Photoshop or say Autocad and some analysis software that is not available on Linux.

Windows has more software, or no linux version ...Check....

Im not sure about ppl using MS just because is already in they new PC..... there are PC with linux already loaded.... arent ?

[GroundZero3]

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/g...555&l=en&s=biz

[KarmaKiller]

i didn't know linux came preloaded on anything, except custom installs. The times are a changing................hopefully

[GroundZero3]

dell has been doing this for a long time. They just realize there are some in the market who want Linux so they are catering to the group.

[KarmaKiller]

That's cool. Do other oem's do that also, or is dell the only one?

And i think with the right GUI, and some other minor details that linux could be the number one desktop. It takes some getting use to, i admit, but for most companies there workers run the same program(s) on a daily basis, so if you had the computer set up to run those programs, Most of the workers wouldn't know any difference.

Leave it to the die hard linux guy to make that arguement!

[GroundZero3]

The problem is alot of applications that are used are in office built or by windows. Windows has deep roots in the business environment. You will not see a mad rush to place Linux desktops. The cost just to train users to get use to it is not a sound investment. I can see a push for it server wise, but desktop wise, no.

And yes other OEM companies such as Iron systems will install FreeBSD or some form of Linux.

[SeanC]

Unless you can get the Linux desktop GUI to act and look exactly like Windows (ie: Programs folder, settings folder, My Computer, My Documents, Recycle Bin, web browser, etc on the desktop the training cost for companies is huge. At my company there are many technical people (programmers and DBAs especially that don't know the basics of Windows - even searching for files! When I was Network Admin, it was always the technical asking the questions like that. Not the accountants or HR or data entry people, but the technical people. I was fresh out of school, I expected the technical people to at least know the basics of Windows.

[GroundZero3]

Heh its funny you mention that SeanC i knew a guy who programs for TI. I remember when i was younger i would try to talk to him about computers and he really didn't know what i was talking about. Opened my eyes a lot to the different type of users out there. I work with teachers, and let me tell you they are probably the worst kind of users.

[exally]

when was linux first released?? 1992?

M$ and Mac already had the computer markets share by then - they just got in first

[Blitzkreig75]

.....If is better than Windows why isnt #1...

In my very humble opinion, the biggest reason Linux (of any distro) is not on top of the PC market is it simply doesn't 'just work' out of the box a lot of the time. Add that to the way, (like one user already said), John Q. Public does not know about Linux and how to get things to happen in it. The command line is very foreign to many, many people.

I'm a relative noob to Linux, but in my expierience, I've abandoned Linux of varying distros for usualy the same reason: Harware Support, (like Ex said). If somehting doesn't work in Linux, use different hardware. It's much easier to change a video card or a network adapter than dig up a driver and install it in the manner you have to in some Linux distros.

Now, that has changed for me because I'm so impressd with Slackware 11. I've spent a lot of hours working out minor problems and had to re-install a few times, (because I messed it up or installed it wroong, etc..), and most users who are used to Windows either would not do that, would not expect that, and/or couldn't do that.

..and to coin another user "just my two cents"

[SeanC]

Linux can't make it as a default desktop OS, like Windows or Mac OS unless it's "dumbed down" for the non-technical masses that don't have the knowledge or the desire to learn why or how certain things work. They just want it to work when they need it to.

[MexNopal]

Linux can't make it as a default desktop OS, like Windows or Mac OS unless it's "dumbed down" for the non-technical masses that don't have the knowledge or the desire to learn why or how certain things work. They just want it to work when they need it to.

there are several more reasons why ppl use windows, not only because they dont have the knowledge or desire to learn.