What additional does Linux need...to make the Windows antiquated

[munishvit]

I am new to linux, started using Ubuntu just few months back. Normally people avoid using linux, reason they give is its complexity. So, I wonder what modification can be done in it in order to make it comfortable to all.

[gnomeuser]

I think we need to radically rethink the way we interact with the user. Fundamentally we are still using the same way of thinking we did since the dawning of the computer age. We are application centric instead of task oriented. We rely on people knowing file paths and organizing their stuff themselves. We don't even provide a way to do proper rollback in every task the user performs.

Regardless, this isn't about making Windows antuquated, that is the wrong way to look at things. This is about making computing a natural part of peoples lives.

There are several ideas on how to do this, but I think it starts by realising that the desktop is dead. Computing is now in our pockets, on our TVs, in our toasters (no kidding), in our cars and the coffee table is a touchscreen like interface rather than just a boring piece of glass. We need to be the pieces that make this puzzle work. We can no longer rely on this antiquated model of thinking one user is tied to one machine.

[badmedic]

I think all Linux is really missing is better support from hardware vendors. Most of the complexity people experience is a result of some device not working properly. The community does an incredible job of reverse engineering things and getting hardware to work, but proper drives from the companies the build the products would be even better.

Icing on the cake would be Linux versions of major commercial software packages. Adobe alone could bring a huge boost to the user-base with a native version of their software suite.

[gnomeuser]

I think all Linux is really missing is better support from hardware vendors. Most of the complexity people experience is a result of some device not working properly. The community does an incredible job of reverse engineering things and getting hardware to work, but proper drives from the companies the build the products would be even better.

Linux, out of the box, supports more hardware than any other OS. Please report bugs for hardware that doesn't work correctly.

[munishvit]

Linux, out of the box, supports more hardware than any other OS. Please report bugs for hardware that doesn't work correctly.

Same thing I have read before that Linux supports more hardware than any other OS. But...
before installing ubuntu, i tried OpenSuse...couldn't install as touchpad was not working during installation.
Ubuntu is fine but still have problem with audio port and wireless connection, which were working fine in Windows.

[bakedbeans4life]

I am new to linux, started using Ubuntu just few months back. Normally people avoid using linux, reason they give is its complexity. So, I wonder what modification can be done in it in order to make it comfortable to all.

Apple users will say make it more like OSX, Microsoft users will say make it more like Windows. Most Linux users seem reasonably content at the way thing are with evolutionary rather than revolutionary progress.

Ironic thing is that Linux can do a damn fine impression of either of these two commercial operating systems, but an impression only. OSX users want a free clone of OSX, Windows users want a free clone of Windows. Should Linux cater to either group or focus on it's own path? I'm for the latter.

[Vince4Amy]

I say a mix of Fedora's speed and stability with something like YaST2 from OpenSuSE.

[davec64]

I think gernally Linux is fine as it is. It's gernally down to the fact users coming to Linux have used Windows and therefore come with the misconception that Linux is a Windows clone! They simply can't understand that there is another way to do things other than the Windows way! :)

Personally I think the Linux way is the best way!

[pparks1]

Well, I've spent some time thinking about this and discussing it with other technical minded coworkers.

From the average joe's perspective, Linux has too many varieties to choose from. While the Linux community and the technical minded folks love having choices, I think this plethora of options is just too much for the average computer user. They often want things to look and work in 1 specific way so that they can easily follow instructions or learn from their friends.

Secondly, as Linux users, I think we have all experienced a fair amount of frustrations around certain types of hardware. Namely video cards and wireless cards. Since most of these items are designed with Windows in mind, the driver support and instructions are often written for Windows. While the tech savvy can work around these issues, the average joe just needs something that works. Couple that with printers, mp3 players, digital camera, webcams and stuff that people often use and it can be a challenge to get everything working under a particular distribution of Linux.

Third, GAME SUPPORT. Tons of people use their computers for gaming and the games are simply written for Windows. While some applications like WINE and cedega can be used in some instances, it's just not for the average joe.

At the end of the day, I don't think that Linux is for everybody. But it's absolutely fantastic having a choice and using the best system for my needs.

[kelvin spratt]

Come off it Windows is doing that all on its own Glassy bits aside and they are not as impressive as compiz 1st attempt. Vista and and the next generation are as unstable as win 95, ie7 crashes every few minutes due the bad coding the vulnerabilities go back to 3.1. its like an old car they just give the old code a make over, bloat it more, up the price and and average joe falls for it .

[Vince4Amy]

they are not as impressive as compiz 1st attempt.

But they are more stable.

[mr-woof]

I've been using Ubuntu 8.04/8.10 for a couple of months now, i've got this machine dual booted with XP and i'm loving linux.

I've always wanted to use it, i tried back in the day with Redhat and it was pain in the backside trying to get it installed/working etc so i stayed with Windows.

I think as mentioned above its down to gaming and the hardware problems that might stop people coming over from Windows, personally i'm having some problems with my ATI card, but bar that everything has been dandy.

[munishvit]

For the people, not into programming, it's difficult for them to switch to any other OS. They use applications (other then games) like Office, Players like vlc, Photoshop, IE, some offline dictionaries such as Cambridge, Collins COBUILT, and sometimes offline encyclopedias like Encarta.
In Linux you get OpenOffice, one can get comfortable with it easily.
Players; you can't get them working without first installing various codes.
To use offline dictionaries and other applications, you need to install wine and get just some of them working.
So, to get the Linux into lifes of more and more people, all of these issues must be considered first.

[HuaiDan]

I think all Linux is really missing is
Icing on the cake would be Linux versions of major commercial software packages. Adobe alone could bring a huge boost to the user-base with a native version of their software suite.

+1

I'm still in a honeymoon phase with Linux, loving it more and more every day.
However, I sure would like to see some flash tools that....did...flash stuff. Real flash stuff.

[dspari1]

Since Microsoft is a monopoly, it's nearly impossible to get to the level that Windows will no longer be needed.

For example, if I want to do my taxes using Taxcut or Turbotax, I have to install Windows, and Microsoft Office 2007 may work in Wine, but it's crippled in many ways.

What the Linux community really needs to do to be able to compete is to send political lobbyists from major Linux distributions (Redhat, Ubuntu, Novell, etc) to get congress to make new laws to regulate the software industry and force every software company to make a Linux version of their products.

I'm not saying that it's pretty or nice, but monopolies are usually dealt with government regulations to end the monopoly. I have no idea why the government hasn't stepped in already.

[dspari1]

Come off it Windows is doing that all on its own Glassy bits aside and they are not as impressive as compiz 1st attempt. Vista and and the next generation are as unstable as win 95, ie7 crashes every few minutes due the bad coding the vulnerabilities go back to 3.1. its like an old car they just give the old code a make over, bloat it more, up the price and and average joe falls for it .

Windows 7 is actually pretty decent. It's not bad at all.