The Future of Linux, Ubuntu, and Computing

[bsalt]

I'm a Linux enthusiast. I want to become a guru of Linux, but I'm still getting there. Looking at the movement of Linux and open-source and how it is making such an impact, I think I can say that the future of computing around the world - in businesses, schools and at home - is Linux. It is free and provides an endless array of opportunities. As for specific distributions, I think that each different distribution will become more like versions of Linux. Kind of like versions of Windows or versions of Vista. Or, perhaps more like product lines. Once Linux becomes widespread, people will know what one distribution is built and geared toward, and what they want, and they will be able to go online and download that distro that is geared toward them.


That is all just guess and a theory, but how do you feel about the future with Linux?

[GSF1200S]

I'm a Linux enthusiast. I want to become a guru of Linux, but I'm still getting there. Looking at the movement of Linux and open-source and how it is making such an impact, I think I can say that the future of computing around the world - in businesses, schools and at home - is Linux. It is free and provides an endless array of opportunities. As for specific distributions, I think that each different distribution will become more like versions of Linux. Kind of like versions of Windows or versions of Vista. Or, perhaps more like product lines. Once Linux becomes widespread, people will know what one distribution is built and geared toward, and what they want, and they will be able to go online and download that distro that is geared toward them.


That is all just guess and a theory, but how do you feel about the future with Linux?

It wont be the future if the Trusted Computing Group takes hold- Linux will be thrown out as a movement that never went anywhere.

Please dont confuse this as something Im content with. I LOVE linux; im already looking at a career in it, and I came into it through Edgy (not that long ago). Im TERRIFIED of what might happen with this TC, and im at a loss to find anything but a futile solution.

OSS and Linux is dead if TC takes hold. Check out my sig...

[ticopelp]

I think trusted computing is way too problematic to take hold in the long term. Call me an optimist, but everything in the computing world has been veering away from that model lately. Vista was loaded with TC stuff that they basically jettisoned before release.

Again, call me a Pollyanna if you like, but I think open source and free software is going to become more sophisticated, easy to use, and attract a lot more people.

[Paul820]

@GSF1200S, i have just read a small part of that trusted computing article, bookmarked to read the rest later. From the part i did read, well, that is scary. Having my computer snooped on by others is not right. When that day comes i will stop using a computer.

[GSF1200S]

I think trusted computing is way too problematic to take hold in the long term. Call me an optimist, but everything in the computing world has been veering away from that model lately. Vista was loaded with TC stuff that they basically jettisoned before release.

Again, call me a Pollyanna if you like, but I think open source and free software is going to become more sophisticated, easy to use, and attract a lot more people.

I really, really, really, really hope that you are right. We are both entitled to our own opinions, and im definitely on the pessimistic side of things. I would point to you how the world has defaulted on greed throughout history. Its a cycle. Where that cycle is the question. In history, the cycle has always been leaders (of government, economics, etc) manipulating the general population, eventually leading to a dictatorship. Then, it crumbles with time, and the cycle starts over with a different set of people in a different situation. In the computing world, TCG are the "leaders," and control/greed is what they are fueled by. In history, we have always lost, until they fall apart.

@Paul820- oh yeah, it sure is scary.

Its not really the software/hardware restriction that is dangerous to thought (its bad for freedom of choice). Its when the censoring starts taking place. When a website wont display on your computer because youre running Linux, and they will only allow "trusted" OSes such as Windows- thats the end of linux. And when you consider the technologies that will be used to control how our hardware/software works, and the fact that for example the US government has already forced ISPs to log what sites we visit for 2 years, they will be able to censor what websites we see and know exactly what we do by name. The chip is already planted on your motherboard by the way- are you sure that its not going to happen?

@ polyanna - I really hope you are right, and you may be- my opinion is no more justified or entitled than yours. But regaurdless, if in fact TCG makes it to primetime, Linux, OSS, and freedom of choice and information is dead.

[CaptainTux]

I think trusted computing is way too problematic to take hold in the long term. Call me an optimist, but everything in the computing world has been veering away from that model lately. Vista was loaded with TC stuff that they basically jettisoned before release.

Ageed!

[Ultra Magnus]

It wont be the future if the Trusted Computing Group takes hold- Linux will be thrown out as a movement that never went anywhere.

Please dont confuse this as something Im content with. I LOVE linux; im already looking at a career in it, and I came into it through Edgy (not that long ago). Im TERRIFIED of what might happen with this TC, and im at a loss to find anything but a futile solution.

OSS and Linux is dead if TC takes hold. Check out my sig...

I just read that article and I think that those kind of nightmare features would have to be phased in over a very long period of time, otherwise the EU would have a fit! There is no way that they would find it legal for MS to delete your files - windows would be outlawed - Either that or some disgruntled hacker would hack into MS servers and Press the Delete all the files in the USA and we could market Linux as the OS that doesn't delete an entire continents files - There is no way anyone would allow that kind of feature.

[SunnyRabbiera]

I am sort of neutral on trusted computing, even DRM as both if used properly could be beneficial, its greedy business practices that really give them a bad rap.

[GSF1200S]

Oh, and when you say TC is too problematic, could you be a little more specific? Id love to hear something I may not have thought of- thats what the net is about... sharing ideas.

Not to jack the thread BTW. Assuming TC doesnt hit primetime, Linux, OSS and the internet have a VERY bright future. We may never be majority market share (and thats fine), but we will definitely be a force.

While OSS is awesome, it goes against what "leaders" want, and thats money/power. Its good natured vs. greedy nowadays, and im happy to say that we are on the good side!

**EDIT** Remember: In a defensive position, complacency bears no arms or witness...

[ticopelp]

I really, really, really, really hope that you are right. We are both entitled to our own opinions, and im definitely on the pessimistic side of things. I would point to you how the world has defaulted on greed throughout history.

I agree, and, odd as it may seem, that's part of why I think TC will fail. Putting all the control for user's desktops into the hands of large corporations means that those corporations now have a responsibility to support and account for those problems.

If Joe Average (or, better yet, Joe Large Business) wakes up one morning and finds that his personal computer (or 20+ workstations) suddenly no longer work because of a glitch in TC, and they call MS (or whomever) and are told "oops, sorry, you must now buy an OS upgrade / pay an unlocking fee / wait for our authentication servers to reboot," that guy is likely to go straight to the competitors.

It's also likely that a push towards TC would mean many more people buying hardware and software from overseas sources -- I don't think the Asian mobo market is too likely to hop on the TC bandwagon, especially not if there is a sudden niche market to corner. Which will mean more money for someone else.

Plus the fact that I don't think there's any way to market TC that won't come across as a PR disaster. "We make things secure, by controlling everything you do!" A lot of people like to download movies, music, porn, etc. and don't want to be told they can't.

Lastly, have you been watching the arms race with the MPAA / RIAA and their utterly futile attempts to lock down DVD encryption, filesharing, etc. etc. In the information age, pushing genies back into their bottles is hard.

I just think TC would be too much of a manpower headache for even huge companies to try to enforce in the long term. But we certainly may be in for a bumpy ride before then.