Are we big enough to do more?

[Puppy fam]

There are now an estimated 29 million Linux users(here (http://counter.li.org/) is where I found that number). Are we big enough to do more? Let me explain. One of the reasons people don't want to transition from windows to Linux is because Linux does not have as many users, so their software won't work with Linux. Although there are steps to use windows software in Linux (like wine), it is far from perfect (I know vmware would work but, no offense but I don't think the average user would install vmware to use their windows software). So to fix this problem from people not coming to Linux we either have to:

A. Improve Wine.

B. Make our own software (like our own itunes alternative, I would REALLY like this.)

or
C. Ask software companies to make their software work with Linux (like asking Apple to make itunes work with Linux)

I know people are already working on option A. So what do you think of B and C? Should we try either one?

[lisati]

Just a couple of thoughts
A. A good wine matures with age - once B & C are up and running, the need for A might disappear
B. We have the brain power
C. Some do already

[aysiu]

B has already been done--it's called AmaroK.

Some would say it's called Banshee or Songbird.

C has also been done. Asking doesn't work. Petitioning doesn't work. Let them know they're losing money and spend that money with their competitors. That's what works. If they find they're losing money by not porting to Linux, then they'll port to Linux.

[murt]

B has already been done--it's called AmaroK.

Some would say it's called Banshee or Songbird.

C has also been done. Asking doesn't work. Petitioning doesn't work. Let them know they're losing money and spend that money with their competitors. That's what works. If they find they're losing money by not porting to Linux, then they'll port to Linux.

Nah, amarok dosent work with the famus iPod (i think, correct me if I'm wrong).
But there is GTKpod, excellent program for syncing with the iPod.

And about #1: I dont think anyone who dosent like Linux (I mean; thoose who just uses their computers, not making things work. Good rule about this is if you've used the command prompt =P)
Instead there should be more work on #2, cu's it's still not easy to fix all software, even if apt actually is easier than searching for torrents with non-free software with will take a week to download, because no one seeds.

[aysiu]

Actually AmaroK works fine with iPods now. Read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_iPod_Managers#Linux

[amadeus266]

A & B have been done and still can be improved upon of course. C on the other hand has been tried and tried again but IMHO not in such a way as to get their attention. My idea would be to coordinate all (or at least as many as possible) of the users of linux to send e-mails to each of their favorite software/hardware vendors in such an overwhelming fashion as to clog their inboxes with so many requests that they have no choice but to see them. This would obviously have to be thought out and planned very carefully so as not to be blocked by spam filters and such. 29million plus e-mails in a short time is bound to get someone's attention. Even if its only the media it would be a start. (Big companies don't like negative publicity) Just my 2 cents worth.

[aysiu]

I can see the headline now: "Linux hackers take down Adobe server with spam."

[Puppy fam]

Let me clarify what I said. I don't mean a media player like AmaroK. I meant a media retail program.

[amadeus266]

I can see the headline now: "Linux hackers take down Adobe server with spam."

:lolflag: That's why a said it would have to be thought out and planned very carefully.:lolflag:

[aysiu]

Let me clarify what I said. I don't mean a media player like AmaroK. I meant a media retail program.
Well, that entails making deals with record companies who want to impose DRM restrictions. Otherwise--if you don't want commercial music--we already have AmaroK interfacing with Magnatune and Rhythmbox interfacing with Jamendo.

[Puppy fam]

A & B have been done and still can be improved upon of course. C on the other hand has been tried and tried again but IMHO not in such a way as to get their attention. My idea would be to coordinate all (or at least as many as possible) of the users of linux to send e-mails to each of their favorite software/hardware vendors in such an overwhelming fashion as to clog their inboxes with so many requests that they have no choice but to see them. This would obviously have to be thought out and planned very carefully so as not to be blocked by spam filters and such. 29million plus e-mails in a short time is bound to get someone's attention. Even if its only the media it would be a start. (Big companies don't like negative publicity) Just my 2 cents worth.

I have thought about that too. I think it should be something that is done (I am not saying this as a joke).

[amadeus266]

I am glad I'm not alone Puppyfarm. I admittedly have only been using linux for a few years and it has come a loooong way. I have learned new ways to do everything that my windows computer can do and more on much less hardware and I am damn proud to show it off to everyone I meet. But, inevitably, someone will ask about running something that as of yet can only be run in windows and I lose the argument. So given that the estimate is now over 29 million users, us linuxers, as my friends put it, are getting into a position that the vendors are not going to be able to ignore much longer. Everyone I know has stated that they are perfectly willing to pay for software that is worth buying regardless of the platform it runs on. So if the vendors have to charge for it, most people would but it. Although free is always better.

[Puppy fam]

So if this was to happen there would have to be some sort of forum like Dell idea storm. But instead of ideas for Dell computers, it would be program ideas. Once we have the program ideas in, the users would vote on the program they liked the most that was mentioned. Once we have a program picked out there will be an E-mail day. This would be a set date where the users of this forum will spread the word on what is going to happen, and the people that find out will hopefully send that company an E-mail requesting that they make a certain program Linux enabled.

Maybe this forum could have an IRC where the users can defend for the program they suggested (This would be helpful for two programs that were mentioned that do the same thing. By having discussion time one person could say why one was better than another.).

Does this sound about right?

[burt_57]

There are now an estimated 29 million Linux users(here (http://counter.li.org/) is where I found that number). Are we big enough to do more? Let me explain. One of the reasons people don't want to transition from windows to Linux is because Linux does not have as many users, so their software won't work with Linux. Although there are steps to use windows software in Linux (like wine), it is far from perfect (I know vmware would work but, no offense but I don't think the average user would install vmware to use their windows software). So to fix this problem from people not coming to Linux we either have to:

A. Improve Wine.

B. Make our own software (like our own itunes alternative, I would REALLY like this.)

or
C. Ask software companies to make their software work with Linux (like asking Apple to make itunes work with Linux)

I know people are already working on option A. So what do you think of B and C? Should we try either one?

I do agree with you on all count.
Here I am in windows xp doing a formating on one sceeen and using the other screen to use Internet.
I am no programmer, I wish I was.
Ubuntu is what I want, tired of Windows.
Therefore all the smart people out there help us new user to make it simple to UBUNTU :popcorn:

[smartboyathome]

There are now an estimated 29 million Linux users(here (http://counter.li.org/) is where I found that number). Are we big enough to do more? Let me explain. One of the reasons people don't want to transition from windows to Linux is because Linux does not have as many users, so their software won't work with Linux. Although there are steps to use windows software in Linux (like wine), it is far from perfect (I know vmware would work but, no offense but I don't think the average user would install vmware to use their windows software). So to fix this problem from people not coming to Linux we either have to:

A. Improve Wine.

B. Make our own software (like our own itunes alternative, I would REALLY like this.)

or
C. Ask software companies to make their software work with Linux (like asking Apple to make itunes work with Linux)

I know people are already working on option A. So what do you think of B and C? Should we try either one?

A can, and should, be improved to a point where it can run items that need the .net platform (possibly using mono). I am no programmer, but am pushing to learn something like C++. If I ever do, I would probably be able to help with B. As for C, forget about most of it. I would rather support GNASH than flash. But until there is a better alternative to the Adobe CS series, people will steer away from Linux.GIMP is ok, but programs such as Inkscape need a LOT of work.