2010: The year of the Linux Desktop - Overclock.net

endo · 08-29-07

Quote:

In order to determine when ‘the year of the Linux desktop’ arrives, we should look back in history and determine when ‘the year of the Windows desktop’ arrived and under what circumstances.

I started out with a small timeline of Windows releases; the short answer to my question was that it was almost certainly 1995 (When Windows 95 was released), but the more I researched, the more intriguing the situation really is; there was a three-way battle between the Mac OS (classic), Microsoft Windows (DOS-based) and OS/2. The last was exterminated and the first became an endangered species.

After Microsoft won the desktop wars, there was a period of calm, with Microsoft dominating, but a new generation of desktop OSs replacing the older ones: Mac OS X, MS Windows (NT-based) and Linux.

I am now convinced that we are in a second Desktop War (much like the second Browser War we are also in) which started in 2004 when Windows “Longhorn” miscarried and Microsoft had to start from scratch to build the OS that became Vista. 2004 also marked the first Ubuntu release.

By comparison to ‘the year of the Windows desktop’, 2007 is not ‘the year of the Linux desktop’ and I suspect 2008 won’t be either, BUT here’s what to watch for as tell-tale signs:

- rapidly incresing Linux grassroots and corporate popularity (like Firefox; expect Europe to lead here… in fact, I would probably check this one off already)
- Linux establishing itself in the public consciousness as a good desktop OS; expect traditional and viral marketing (2008)
- OEM preloads of Linux, especially Ubuntu, rapidly increasing (all major OEMs currently offering Windows 2008-9)
- major commerical apps designed to run on Linux (e.g. Adobe Photoshop or even Microsoft Word; one might laugh at the thought now, but when Gates and Ballmer both are gone, this is just a matter of time; 2010?)

read the rest here

it is a good read and i think if you are a fan of linux or open source software you should check it out.

HrnyGoat · 08-29-07

If they make more games for Linux, I will gladly switch.

TheShehanigan · 08-29-07

The only thing Linux truly lacks is games. If it had games, I can promise you Microsoft would lose it's Monopoly faster than you can say : "Wait!"

kneeki · 08-29-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by HrnyGoat

If they make more games for Linux, I will gladly switch.

Hmmm, I can easily live w/o Minesweeper being built in default. However, if they made it easier to install/play games in 'nix, I'd be there in a second. I have been testing out each of the Ubuntu releases myself; Edgy Eft & Feisty Fawn so far. And I plan on using the next also, just to see if its gotten any easier (of if I've had more luck).

The only reason I use Windows is for gaming.

schoeds · 08-29-07

Endo, you've sure been promoting the penguin lately... I think it's about time you change your user title to "Linux Lobbyist"

endo · 08-29-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeds

Endo, you've sure been promoting the penguin lately... I think it's about time you change your user title to "Linux Lobbyist"

i dont know enough about linux to do that just yet.

ikehack · 08-29-07

Imagine: 3.5GB Games having to be compiled via Konsole / Terminal

kneeki · 08-29-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikehack

Imagine: 3.5GB Games having to be compiled via Konsole / Terminal

Hmm, I don't think you'd have to do that. Couldn't a company make a game for 'nix like it does for OS X or Windows? I don't remember having to compile any games when I was attempting to game on Ubuntu a few months ago.

I guess, then it was just using Wine to play the game, if that makes any difference.

endo · 08-29-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikehack

Imagine: 3.5GB Games having to be compiled via Konsole / Terminal

if linux takes over i think things will work faster. and ut 2k4 installed just as fast in linux as in windows.

rfarris · 08-29-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kneeki

Hmmm, I can easily live w/o Minesweeper being built in default. However, if they made it easier to install/play games in 'nix, I'd be there in a second. I have been testing out each of the Ubuntu releases myself; Edgy Eft & Feisty Fawn so far. And I plan on using the next also, just to see if its gotten any easier (of if I've had more luck).

The only reason I use Windows is for gaming.

Not only installing the games but installing everything else, I don't want to spend a week building a driver or just looking for the right files. Let alone all the commands.

I want everything to have a GUI of somesort godddamittt.... gooodddaammmittt.... building drivers... weeeeee

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2010: The year of the Linux Desktop

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