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I continue to not understand why it matters if Linux "makes it" onto the desktop. Linux on the desktop already works for those who use it [no duh]. Is anyone

by mdg 17y ago

I continue to not understand why it matters if Linux "makes it" onto the desktop. Linux on the desktop already works for those who use it [no duh]. Is anyone out there really interested in writing software (for profit) on the Linux desktop? I assume that is why "Linux on the desktop" matters for some people. Otherwise, why not just let OSS people keep scratching their own itch?

icefox 17y ago
Along the same lines, who writes software for the Any desktop these days? What was the last piece of software you paid for that ran on your desktop? v.s. how many times have you given out your CC on the web? All things being equal people will stay where they are. So when software moved to the web there wasn't any incentive to move OS's. The only shift I have seen is the shift to Apple where there is a hardware incentive. But even then they buy an Apple laptop and just run Safari. Edit: and even for linux heads OS X is pretty nice. I get git, gcc, apache, a command shell, Qt, emacs, vim, bash, webkit, etc. Even valgrind is on OS X now. Given that the software is close enough then looking at the hardware it caused me to get a mac laptop.
- deleted 17y ago
  [deleted]
orborde 17y ago
I can't speak for all Linux desktop users, but for me, better support from hardware vendors and other ancillary benefits of widespread usage are why I'd love to see Linux succeed.
- shpxnvz 17y ago
  Unfortunately, even a significant market share may not be enough to get good hardware support. OSX has a sizable chunk of the market, and there's still missing support from a lot of hardware vendors, especially when it comes to lower priced stuff. Certainly more than Linux, but it's still frustrating how often I come across hardware which is "PC only."
mdasen 17y ago
I agree with you mostly, but sometimes it does matter. One could argue that even free software gets boosts from companies. If Linux weren't so popular on servers, we wouldn't have IBM, Novell, and tons of other companies contributing to free software there. If it got to a critical mass on the desktop, I'd guess Dell, HP, and others might see it in their interest to contribute to free desktop software. More users brings a more vibrant space sometimes. I switch off between Mac and Linux and Linux is fine for most things I want to do (Hulu being a notable exception). But I can also see how much companies have contributed to free software in the Linux world and that it's mostly server-useful software because Linux has a critical mass of users on the server end. And the more users you have, the more people who might want to scratch their own itch.

by mdg 17y ago

icefox 17y ago

Along the same lines, who writes software for the Any desktop these days? What was the last piece of software you paid for that ran on your desktop? v.s. how many times have you given out your CC on the web? All things being equal people will stay where they are. So when software moved to the web there wasn't any incentive to move OS's. The only shift I have seen is the shift to Apple where there is a hardware incentive. But even then they buy an Apple laptop and just run Safari. Edit: and even for linux heads OS X is pretty nice. I get git, gcc, apache, a command shell, Qt, emacs, vim, bash, webkit, etc. Even valgrind is on OS X now. Given that the software is close enough then looking at the hardware it caused me to get a mac laptop.

deleted 17y ago
[deleted]

orborde 17y ago

I can't speak for all Linux desktop users, but for me, better support from hardware vendors and other ancillary benefits of widespread usage are why I'd love to see Linux succeed.

shpxnvz 17y ago
Unfortunately, even a significant market share may not be enough to get good hardware support. OSX has a sizable chunk of the market, and there's still missing support from a lot of hardware vendors, especially when it comes to lower priced stuff. Certainly more than Linux, but it's still frustrating how often I come across hardware which is "PC only."

mdasen 17y ago

I agree with you mostly, but sometimes it does matter. One could argue that even free software gets boosts from companies. If Linux weren't so popular on servers, we wouldn't have IBM, Novell, and tons of other companies contributing to free software there. If it got to a critical mass on the desktop, I'd guess Dell, HP, and others might see it in their interest to contribute to free desktop software. More users brings a more vibrant space sometimes. I switch off between Mac and Linux and Linux is fine for most things I want to do (Hulu being a notable exception). But I can also see how much companies have contributed to free software in the Linux world and that it's mostly server-useful software because Linux has a critical mass of users on the server end. And the more users you have, the more people who might want to scratch their own itch.