When will Ubuntu become mainstream for desktop?

[sink]

I am a new ubuntu user just several weeks young and I love it a lot.

I really hope everyone can enjoy this great OS!

so looking forward to next version!:KS

[loell]

A very battered question in linux arena..

ultimate answer: Indefinite

just use it for your day to day needs and / or entertainment, don't wait for that time to come.

[wolfen69]

glad to hear you like it. the best thing to is just enjoy it and spread the word.

[mivo]

On the netbook-type of mini laptops (Asus Eee, etc.) Linux is already mainstream. Their popularity will massively increase over the next few years, and Linux will dominate that area. Normal laptops and desktops, well, that'll take a bit longer. There are still some issues, like gaming, commercial software support, hardware drivers (from manufacturers), sound issues (been a problem for years). But with hardware getting cheaper and cheaper, and the market more competitive, the licensing costs for the OS begin to play a larger role. And I hope that the awareness of the advantages and the importance of software freedom increases.

But Linux is definitely ready for the desktop. It's all I use, for everything.

[Methuselah]

It'll become mainstream on the new mini laptops as mivo noted. As people become used to using linux on these devices, they'll warm up to the idea of running it at home too. Then in reponse to that demand, we might see more linux coming pre-installed on desktops.

[steveneddy]

It already is in my world.

[jrusso2]

Linux and especially Ubuntu will never be mainstream for the desktop.

They don't have a clue how to be user friendly.

Even the small form factor laptops are all going to offer XP now so that should kill the Linux part of them.

[HunterThomson]

When computer manufactures install Linux instead of window$.....

Linux is better then window$ in every way there is no contest. I think that Ubuntu far is EZ'r to use then window$ for that average computer user.

But lets face it people that don't know that much about computers are vary sketchy about wiping there HDD and installing a new OS. Maybe if we started groups to install Ubuntu on people computers for free/donation only. Also, convince computer stores to hand out flyers with reasons to use Ubuntu i.e. no viruses and hold free/donation computer user workshops then we mite start to change that.

[kellemes]

Linux and especially Ubuntu will never be mainstream for the desktop.

They don't have a clue how to be user friendly.

Even the small form factor laptops are all going to offer XP now so that should kill the Linux part of them.

Ubuntu seems to be created with trained monkeys in mind, hardly any reason to use the brain any more.. Not sure if this is user friendly or not, not for me any way.

I hope Ubuntu will never become mainstream since it's not the best of distro's out there, not by far.

[ukripper]

Here is one the mega thread for this discussion.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=443565

[stchman]

Linux and especially Ubuntu will never be mainstream for the desktop.

They don't have a clue how to be user friendly.

Even the small form factor laptops are all going to offer XP now so that should kill the Linux part of them.

I consider Ubuntu to be very user friendly. I find many of the options fairly intuitive.

Everyone has an opinion.

[mivo]

The perception of user-friendliness often depends on what one is used to. I hadn't used Windows in quite some time when I recently had to work on an XP machine. It felt cumbersome and counter-intuitive to me. Eventually that feeling would have disappeared, just like my first impressions of Gnome and Compiz were odd, and now they feel very natural to me.

[markbuntu]

I first tried linix back around kernel 0.98 or so. My impression, just as windoze has advanced so linux has advanced, two steps forward, fall on face get back up.

Still, I prefer x to windows even though windoze never made my monitor catch fire.

[lman_271860]

i posted a thread about a problem with usb hdd in beginners section, as i am a beginner and loads of other people are having the same problem

yes it was a bit tongue in cheek but i was willing to help solve the problem for everyone

people got upset that under xp my usb hdd just works and under ubuntu it does not and the post was effectively censored and got kicked to here

ubuntu will never become mainstream because it just does not work

[bruce89]

ubuntu will never become mainstream because it just does not work

You can hardly expect obscure hardware whose manufacturers don't release specifications on how they work to work with a FOSS kernel. It's like blaming your garage builders for not building a garage big enough for a tank.

By the way, your thread, love ubuntu but windows xp is still far better as my usb hdd just works ! (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=828842) is an obvious flamebait.

[LaRoza]

ubuntu will never become mainstream because it just does not work

There you are generalising. Linux works perfectly for me. All hardware works out of the box (including printer, webcam and camera) and Vista has many problems (especially with the web cam)

Don't assume everyone has the same experiences as you...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=796570

[bigken]

Ubuntu works great for me on two work stations and one laptop so it is mainstream for me
pleased to hear your enjoying it :)

[lman_271860]

ah !!

same problem here too !

people saying i'm not going to help until you change the title of the post because we don't like it [-X

why not, what's the issue

there is no threat here i have a completely working xp system on dual boot that mounts the usb hard drive every time with no problems

the manufacturer of the chip has given all information required on the web

i posted the specification data sheets for the controller ic
i posted screen shots of the xp driver screens
i experimented with peoples suggestions and posted the results
i found something odd which may be a clue to solving the whole problem

i was trying to help solve the problem not just slagging the os off

i feel that there is contempt for new users and simple issues like this which are not being addressed are driving people away

the basic fact is that the usb hdd works under xp every time with no problems and it does not work under ubuntu

[lman_271860]

good news common sense has prevailed !

it's been moved back

i repeat i am trying to make the os better by solving a problem many people are experiencing

[bruce89]

there is no threat here i have a completely working xp system on dual boot that mounts the usb hard drive every time with no problems

Not meaning to be rude, why not just use XP?

i was trying to help solve the problem not just slagging the os off

I think "love ubuntu but windows xp is still far better !" is slagging off.


i feel that there is contempt for new users and simple issues like this which are not being addressed are driving people away

There is contempt for insults at this forum.

Some people have helped - http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=5185320&postcount=18

[karellen]

ah !!

same problem here too !

people saying i'm not going to help until you change the title of the post because we don't like it [-X

why not, what's the issue

there is no threat here i have a completely working xp system on dual boot that mounts the usb hard drive every time with no problems

the manufacturer of the chip has given all information required on the web

i posted the specification data sheets for the controller ic
i posted screen shots of the xp driver screens
i experimented with peoples suggestions and posted the results
i found something odd which may be a clue to solving the whole problem

i was trying to help solve the problem not just slagging the os off

i feel that there is contempt for new users and simple issues like this which are not being addressed are driving people away

the basic fact is that the usb hdd works under xp every time with no problems and it does not work under ubuntu

well as long as you encounter hardware issues with Ubuntu that can't be easily solved, XP is better than Ubuntu for you