For 2009, lets get Windows OFF the enterprise desktop!

[phrostbyte]

Okay this is an ambiguous idea but I think the focus for 2009 should be making Ubuntu into a real force in enterprise desktops and workstations in general. This is what I think we need:


An easy to use auth/security management system based on OpenLDAP and PolicyKit.
A network frontend to SSH and Apt-Get
Easily/seamless Windows virtualization
Better integration between Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server


Anything you add you think?

What will make Ubuntu a killer OS on the enterprise desktop?

[Half-Left]

Novell have been trying to do this with SLED and working with Microsoft so it's a case of two evils :p

[-grubby]

They've barely gotten into the desktop market, why would they focus on something else ...?

[phrostbyte]

They've barely gotten into the desktop market, why would they focus on something else ...?

Because I think enterprises is Linux strength. You won't be able to convince the unwashed masses of something is much much harder then the IT manager/CTO of a major company. Plus big companies might help improve the software more the Joe the Plumber ever good. And people will start to use the same software they use at work, so it has a better "trickle down" effect. I think WE must focus on the enterprise, this is where the money is at and it's also where our major support traditional is at, it's one place Microsoft has yet to fully dominate.

We need to make Ubuntu more friendly as a mass deployed OS. Seriously..

[albinootje]

An easy to use auth/security management system based on OpenLDAP and PolicyKit.
A network frontend to SSH and Apt-Get
Easily/seamless Windows virtualization
Better integration between Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server



Much better and easier LDAP+samba integration would be awesome.

What do you mean with "network frontend to ssh and apt-get" ?

For seamless Windows applications CrossOverLinux is pretty good, except that some applications are not supported yet like the newest MS-Office.

For better integration between Ubuntu desktop and server I agree for the "sharing folders" options, that could be easier, or more "idiot" friendly.

Did you check http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com ?
I'm sure that similar threads are active there :)

[I-75]

What we need is much more awareness about Linux as a desktop. We need to stop the endless FUD coming from the other side.

We need IBM and other major corporations to put their muscle and their resources into Linux and Linux desktop.

Red Hat has to stop ignoring the desktop market. With their built in server customer base, they are the ones that could really make a huge difference in succeeding with a Linux Enterprise desktop.


We need to get Linux foremost and prominent in the brick and mortar stores and NOT with just a "token" weak netbook (with Linux) relegated to the back room where you have to ask for it much like one would ask for a porn movie in a shady book store.

(Just like the only Linux netbook Best Buy sells is a EEE PC with a 4GB hard drive....surely more powerful computers with Ubuntu/Linux could be sold in brick and mortar stores)

We need manufacturers make a specific line of desktops and laptops that run exclusively on Linux and sell them in the brick and mortar stores. For example a "LX line", where every LX computer will have Linux installed...no Windows...period.

We need companies that already have Ubuntu or Linux as a Enterprise desktop to come forward to give testimonials and also to help develop awareness about Linux and also help in advertising Linux on the Enterprise desktops. The companies that do this could get free support from a major Linux distro.

Have high quality and well produced install and trouble shooting videos for Linux and Ubuntu. And make them easy to understand that even a 10 year old or even a 100 year old will understand them...and make them available on the internet for free or for download.
(While there are good install videos on You Tube...the quality or the clarity doesn't cut it).

Have a fact campaign that shows how much a company will save by moving to Linux. Show savings per desktop, savings for the entire company per year.

(This is a great time for this as many companies are facing budget cuts...if a company can save several thousand dollars...they will take notice).

[halovivek]

lot of things to be need for Linux.
1.dedicated programmers should be there to create full hardware support
2.Dedicated testers should be there to test the application
3. most of the good programs which is there in internet are there in windows only. it should have linux same version. but it is really quite hard to find and configure it.

[Half-Left]

Because I think enterprises is Linux strength. You won't be able to convince the unwashed masses of something is much much harder then the IT manager/CTO of a major company. Plus big companies might help improve the software more the Joe the Plumber ever good. And people will start to use the same software they use at work, so it has a better "trickle down" effect. I think WE must focus on the enterprise, this is where the money is at and it's also where our major support traditional is at, it's one place Microsoft has yet to fully dominate.

We need to make Ubuntu more friendly as a mass deployed OS. Seriously..

Not really, this is how Windows made big desktop gains, get used to it at work, use it at home. SLED really hasn't made much gains from when I last seen and that was a good product either that or just not translated to desktop.

[albinootje]

lot of things to be need for Linux.
1.dedicated programmers should be there to create full hardware support
2.Dedicated testers should be there to test the application
3. most of the good programs which is there in internet are there in windows only. it should have linux same version. but it is really quite hard to find and configure it.

Full hardware support is needed for at least some hardware, but from the hardware vendors first.
There are still hardware vendors who don't really care about Linux.

Right now I think that Linux users still should be careful about what hardware they buy, in order to support Linux-friendly hardware vendors.

[phrostbyte]

Not really, this is how Windows made big desktop gains, get used to it at work, use it at home. SLED really hasn't made much gains from when I last seen and that was a good product either that or just not translated to desktop.

That's exactly what I ment (if I am understand you right). If Ubuntu wins business desktop, it will also win consumer desktops..

But really Linux is really really has potential in the enterprise, much more then on consumer desktops IMO. For one:

(1) Enterprises tend to not give a #@!^ about game support
(2) Microsoft feels the tend to price enterprises up with stuff like CAL licenses and other stuff. Enterprises spend a TON of money on software, much more then consumers do. So free software will look more appealing to them.
(3) Enterprises tend view the ability customize as a major feature
(4) Enterprises tend to already be familiar with Linux to some extent. Grandma, not so much.
(5) Enterprises tend to be willing to spend more money to get piece of mind. More money towards Ubuntu development is a good thing
(6) Big enterprises may even contribute to development where it matters. Google is one example of an enterprise with Linux on the desktop, and they are uniquely active in the Ubuntu community. They also feel Linux needs to improve on enterprise features.

All this adds up to the idea that I think the focus should be on pushing Linux into the enterprise. This will require less effort, I think, then Linux on the consumer desktop. We just need better management tools. And we need IT people who genuinely like Linux to make the case in their organizations.

[phrostbyte]

I think also Linux has the potential to so so so much better then Windows as an Enterprise desktop. We already have central management of software, something Windows does horribly on. APT *will* attract Enterprises to Ubuntu. But we need better integration between APT, OpenLDAP, PolicyKit and SELinux, etc. What we really really need to do I feel is really unify the management of a network into one easy to use package. Landscape is kinda what I am thinking, but it's a still a bit to primitive.