While doing my usual morning feed read I came across “Linux is not Windows Lite” by Paul Murphy over at ZDNet Blogs. Paul writes about the current assumptions that Linux should strive to become a better Windows, since Windows is perceived as the leading desktop operating system.
Now Paul makes two observations that I agree with.
First, that Windows is the desktop leader by volume only. The leader by design, function, reliability and ease of use is currently Apple’s BSD variant (OS X). Being a current Mac user, this of course is easy to agree with. However, I wasn’t born with a Mac. I moved to Mac’s after 15+ years of using and supporting Windows desktops. During that period I also looked at Linux. I honestly feel I’m more productive with less required “support time” on Macs.
Second, that Linux should not be compared to Windows. Windows is not what Linux should strive to become or want to be.
Linux’s advantages are those areas where it’s not like Windows. Yet, I get the impression that many versions of Linux are so focused on becoming the better Windows that they have developed tunnel vision. They are satisfied to follow Microsoft’s lead and sometimes seem to be locked in a catch-up mode. The bottom line, according to Paul, is:
…for Linux to make it to second place in the desktop sweeps it’s got to stop trying to be a cheaper Windows and become a better Linux instead.
Apple’s OS X and Linux have much more in common then Linux and Windows. It’s possible to be innovative and successful without following Microsoft’s lead and becoming a “Windows Lite.”
…just as Microsoft is never going to beat Apple on technology by copying its interface and gadgets.
Sure everyone copies great features from everyone else, but you’re never going to be the best if ALL you do is copy from the rest.
I believe Linux has a great potential being Linux.
Opinions?
Technorati Tags: apple, linux, os x, windows
Hi Earl,
No I don’t think the goal of desktop Linux should be to become ‘Windows’ (or Mac for that matter). Rather, it’s the functionality that is the critical thing. All three OS’s let you do the basic things equally well (productivity, communication, creative pursuits etc.)But beyond that, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Windows excels at gaming for instance, the Mac at polish and UI. I think the strength of Linux lies in the FOSS development model. I think it’s faster at changing course, adapting to new things, and providing more than one feasible choice – which I think will be critical as the pace of technological development increases.
I’ve said many times before that Linux is not for everybody. In a lot of cases it makes a better machine for ‘grandma’ or ‘aunty ida’ who aren’t gamers and need a solid, economical and secure solution. But in the end, it also might be that Linux’s FOSS background allows it to always be on the cutting edge. It might always be the OS of choice for power users and geeks. That in itself is not a bad thing.
Personally, I think homogenizing Linux and forcing it to be like Windows is like Porsche building an SUV. It’ll sell, but what’s the point? You don’t see Ferrari going down that route do you. :)
Hi Richard,
Good points.
I do feel that Linux has yet to really establish it’s identify in the public eye, at least with the mass of non-tech users.
That may be due in part to their being so many flavors of Linux available. When I say Windows Vista or Mac OS X 10.4 I’m talking of one specific version of operating system. When I say Linux…Ubuntu, Kubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, SimpleMEPIS, KNOPPIX, Engarde, Gentoo, Trixbox, Parsix, Scientific and so on. Each with a slightly different look, feel, configuration and application set. Last I counted there was 100 distrobutions listed on “DistroWatch.com”. Speeds not an advantage if everyones going off in a slightly different direction.
I guess I’m trying to say that it makes marketing Linux difficult!
As a tech guy I know that these distrobution have common core components…but they are still each different and my grandma likes common standard things.
In part Ubuntu has become popular by promoting itself as the “common” Linux.