The problem with linux (as I see it)

Well as the title says, the problem with Linux imo is half the community are pushing for it to replace Windows. Linux is a good alternative to Windows, but there is plenty of space for both to exist in unison.

It's the same with programs, a lot of linux users you see or talk to are not happy with thing's being done in Wine and will only use the "native" projects as it's seen to help the "cause". What gets to me is the "cause" they are pushing is also Linuxs biggest drawback. Wine isn't the best, it would be better to be native, but until companys see that it's an alternative they wont even make one. In some cases Wine helps by making the transission to Linux less of a problem, Other times it can be seen as holding it back.

Being able to see past the whole "cause" thing is a better place to be than stuck fighting for the next 20 years for a change that aslong as the "cause" exists will never come about. I'll agree the business practices shown and the way things are "locked" in isn't good. But sometimes to beat a problem you have to first accept the neutral position and allow the project/product to do the talking.

Linux is a damn strong OS and has a lot of things going for it, in a lot of markets, but it will never be a desktop replacement for Windows aslong as people have the mindset they do now. You will not erradicate Windows, you wont replace Windows, but should we really want to?. The problem as I see it is Linux has been making the same mistakes for years, they are trying to get rid of Windows.

While I personally don't like MS that much, I do see they have a place actually a big place. They have driven the the PC into the homes of millions with the advertising and marketing. The same in a sense with Apple. As for the developers and the marketing for programs, well Linux needs to prove itself as a viable market for the products. Even if Linux only has a 1% market share on desktops we have to prove that the 1% is a lucritive choose, that as users we understand that products don't always come for free. I think the whole issue is partly stemmed from what Linux is seen as "A free operating system" the problem is the take on the "free" part, some like myself take it in the right way, Linux is free as in "Freedom" to choose, modify, distribute. It is not free as in a product being free, it can be charged for, Redhat and Novell have proven for years that it can be a big hit aswell. Linux just needs the marketing to back it up. As far as the desktop goes, Ubuntu has done a lot to drive it to manufacturers, but others need to back them up for Linux to have a massive effect. The reason I say Ubuntu is because they have the backing of Canonical and are probably at the moment the most known Linux distrobution on the Desktop.

Linux has already shown how powerful it can be, It is the base for the strongest mobile phone platform around at the present. Linux as a desktop though has a long way to come and a huge mindset in a large portion of the community to change before it sees "Casual Home Users" seeing it as a alternative to Windows. Stop pushing linux as a replacement (there is way to many Distros to choose from for it to ever be a replacement) and accept it as an alternative to Windows. Ubuntu is the biggest linux distro even though it hasn't been around as long as some of them, the reason for this in my eyes is Ubuntu unlike the others doesn't try to replace Windows, but rather co-exist with it in the environment. It shows itself as an "alternative" and not a "replacement".

People are still to stuck in the "You get what you pay for" mode. That's where Linux has to change the outlook and the community with it's constant infighting and "We must replace Windows!" outlook isn't doing anything to help Linux as a whole.

Just to add to this.. I use Linux daily, I don't have a Windows install at all for anything and try to get most things to work in Linux, I'm not always successful, but I normally post on the forums for things I enjoy using and push for Linux support (especially if they already do a Mac edition).

Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He
will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the
worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.


Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
charge).


His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.


Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly
children. It declined even further when schools were required to get
parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a
student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and
wanted to have an abortion.


Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was
preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion;
his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is
To Blame, and I'm A Victim.


Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If
you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do
nothing.

For My Daughter

Your the warmth in the cold places of my heart, The light i use to find my way home each day.

Each time we have to part, it feels as if my life is stolen from me, leaving me cold and unwelcoming , nothing can replace your presence in my life. Your touch is like the warmth of the sun your smile like a piece of beautiful art to be admired by many.

Your mother nature's most precious gift, a gift i will cherish for an eternity.

I feel as if i have the weight of the world on my shoulders when you are not with me, but as soon as i see your smiling face all my problems and worries fade into the background. Your my most precious jewel, a gift i could not live without.

I can only promise that my love for you is infinate without begining or end.

You bring meaning to my life, You have an effect that cannot be replaced.

People say you never know what you have until you lose it, This statement for me is a matter of fact. Your the most dear thing in my life, but i did not realise the tie's ran so deep.

Your my daughter, my life, my princess.

I will always love and protect you from harm.

p.s I wrote this quite a few years ago when I was having a dark time in my life. The way it was wrote was to try and convey how much I care for my daughter.