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You're right that there is a lot of choice. But most people who like to use Linux actually see this as a big plus. That may be hard to understand for people who

You're right that there is a lot of choice. But most people who like to use Linux actually see this as a big plus. That may be hard to understand for people who only use Windows. Not that there's anything wrong with using Windows, it's just a different paradigm. When first wanting to get into Linux, the best option is to talk to someone that you trust not just to be a fan boy for their favorite distro, but to tell you honestly which they think would be best for you after you having told them (also honestly) where your computing experience sits on the scale from novice to expert and also what you intend to do with the distro you eventually choose. These days, for a novice user wishing to experiment with Linux in general, I think the choice is pretty clear. Ubuntu. Your last sentence seems to imply something along the lines of that MS should feel more secure that Linux as a whole is diluted into numerous distros which assumedly makes it harder for novices to get into Linux. Ergo, Linux is not as much of a threat to Windows' dominance of the market. I think this is missing one point that often comes up at least in the Debian community and this is that Debian has never really had the goal of dethroning Windows and taking on it's mantle as the "dominant" OS or anything like that. Debian doesn't care. The project has different goals to this. Debian is just doing its thing, and if that thing happens to work for you, then great. If not, then try something else. Maybe Ubuntu does have this goal to dethrone Windows or whatever, and if so, more power to them. But my point is don't assume that all Linux distros even care how popular they are, or care about competing with any other OS, because many don't.

Prrometheus 18y ago
>You're right that there is a lot of choice. But most people who like to use Linux actually see this as a big plus. By "most people who like to use Linux" - realize that you are talking about 0.5% of the desktop population. The market could be a lot bigger if it were easier to find one's way. >When first wanting to get into Linux, the best option is to talk to someone that you trust And what about most of us who are not acquainted with anybody that uses Linux on a regular basis? >But my point is don't assume that all Linux distros even care how popular they are, or care about competing with any other OS, because many don't. If their goal is not being popular, then I would say they are succeeding.
- jonny_noog 18y ago
  >By "most people who like to use Linux" - realize that you are talking about 0.5% of the desktop population. The market could be a lot bigger if it were easier to find one's way. Your first sentence deliberately ignores my main point which was of course that Linux by and large doesn't care if you're a little too intimidated by the range of choices to try something new. In fact I would go so far as to say if you're a person who likes to have everything spoon fed to you and is not comfortable and/or does not enjoy doing some research for yourself when you encounter issues, then you actually are better off sticking to Windows or possibly a Mac. Linux helps those who help themselves. > And what about most of us who are not acquainted with anybody that uses Linux on a regular basis? a) Local Linux user groups. b) Distro forums. c) Mailing lists. d) Google. I also mentioned that these days, the choice for a newbie wanting to try Linux in general terms is pretty much made for them. You ignored that bit too. > If their goal is not being popular, then I would say they are succeeding. I never said their goal was not being popular, this is quite obvious to anyone who actually read my previous reply rather than skimming over it and trying to twist it into something that could be used to reinforce their existing beliefs. What I did say was that many distros see popularity as a low or non-existent priority when compared to others, such as quality of implementation. Debian has often gotten flak in the past for its long release cycle. If Debian devs are asked when the next stable Debian release will be ready, the usual answer is "When it's done." (though this is changing somewhat now) When the quality is assured, then it's released. It's not released when the marketing department says it should be just because they are trying to hit an artificial deadline imposed by some middle manager who's more interested in his coke and hookers. From the sound of it, I would recommend that you stay as far away from Linux as you can. You do not seem to have the required mind set that would make it an enjoyable experience for you.

Prrometheus 18y ago

>You're right that there is a lot of choice. But most people who like to use Linux actually see this as a big plus. By "most people who like to use Linux" - realize that you are talking about 0.5% of the desktop population. The market could be a lot bigger if it were easier to find one's way. >When first wanting to get into Linux, the best option is to talk to someone that you trust And what about most of us who are not acquainted with anybody that uses Linux on a regular basis? >But my point is don't assume that all Linux distros even care how popular they are, or care about competing with any other OS, because many don't. If their goal is not being popular, then I would say they are succeeding.

jonny_noog 18y ago
>By "most people who like to use Linux" - realize that you are talking about 0.5% of the desktop population. The market could be a lot bigger if it were easier to find one's way. Your first sentence deliberately ignores my main point which was of course that Linux by and large doesn't care if you're a little too intimidated by the range of choices to try something new. In fact I would go so far as to say if you're a person who likes to have everything spoon fed to you and is not comfortable and/or does not enjoy doing some research for yourself when you encounter issues, then you actually are better off sticking to Windows or possibly a Mac. Linux helps those who help themselves. > And what about most of us who are not acquainted with anybody that uses Linux on a regular basis? a) Local Linux user groups. b) Distro forums. c) Mailing lists. d) Google. I also mentioned that these days, the choice for a newbie wanting to try Linux in general terms is pretty much made for them. You ignored that bit too. > If their goal is not being popular, then I would say they are succeeding. I never said their goal was not being popular, this is quite obvious to anyone who actually read my previous reply rather than skimming over it and trying to twist it into something that could be used to reinforce their existing beliefs. What I did say was that many distros see popularity as a low or non-existent priority when compared to others, such as quality of implementation. Debian has often gotten flak in the past for its long release cycle. If Debian devs are asked when the next stable Debian release will be ready, the usual answer is "When it's done." (though this is changing somewhat now) When the quality is assured, then it's released. It's not released when the marketing department says it should be just because they are trying to hit an artificial deadline imposed by some middle manager who's more interested in his coke and hookers. From the sound of it, I would recommend that you stay as far away from Linux as you can. You do not seem to have the required mind set that would make it an enjoyable experience for you.