Comments on: Linux’ 2009 Market Share Leeches

By: Bruce Wagner

Bruce Wagner — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:57:54 +0000

For what it’s worth:

The developer of “Super OS” (formerly known as “Super Ubuntu”) and I
are working on creating a One Button Install of all multimedia codecs,
players, and other proprietary/protected stuff for media. It asks
the user to “agree” that it’s his legal responsibility, then it adds
each needed repository to software sources, installs what’s needed,
and asks if you’d like it to delete itself from the desktop. It is
literally One Button. And we’re calling it, “The One Button”.

It’s almost done. The alpha works flawlessly on a standard Ubuntu
9.10 install. He’s just finishing the GUI / icon part, which is
super simple. I’ll let you know when it’s available.

Bruce (click my name for my site)

By: LK

LK — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:24:44 +0000

So when I download fedora open suse knoppix ubuntu 8 and 9 that make me a installed base for each of them?
Linux is not ready for mainstream Ubuntu is close but not quite there yet. Main problem is what people consider its advantage hundreds of modified versions.
Combine this with the need to compile if you cant find a package for your distro it is a deal breaker. There are no GUI compiler tutorials that will guide a new user through.
IF you ha to open console ever to install driver program change setting you have failed. I know that advanced users love the terminal and for administrators with all the possibilities for automation it is great however for a novice it is major hurdle to overcome.
Linux need universal package distribution format. Universal GUI configuration tools like YAST in open suse in all Desktop distros.
If you dont have that there is no hope for it on the desktop.

By: R Jain

R Jain — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:33:01 +0000

Well 2009 is over! Linux desktop had it’s best chance yet with booming netbook market. Dell tried it and so did Walmart. But people did not want it, people. On the other hand Android seems all set to go places. Go figure!

By: LiveALife

LiveALife — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:09:24 +0000

If Linux takes over windows in the desktop market with it’s current status, I may just quit using PC and find some other hardware.

I’ve used linux since 0.89 Kernel when it was a bunch of floppy disk images on a local BBS that I installed on a 386. It was good for doing server work, especially considering this was days when win 3.11 was my alternative. I loved linux then for what it was, now it’s changed into some fanboy hype, something I’m glad I don’t have to endure every day with windows.

After wrestling with literal kernel syntax errors in Linux and security problems. I’ve since left linux and went to freebsd and glad I have. One single distribution is great. I also won’t see websites with “Why desktops should be freebsd instead of windows” because freebsd users know what their OS is for and don’t force themselves into it just to spite windows that has a completely different agenda. Windows has issues? So what? So does every other OS. Just seems Mac OS users and Linux users see fit to shove themselves down everyone’s throats, at least linux users on PC. My router which is linux based firmware isn’t trying to sell itself as my desktop computer either.

If you enjoy linux, enjoy it, but don’t try to shove it down everyone’s throats.

By: Kalookakoo

Kalookakoo — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:26:37 +0000

@Woli: First off, Customer is defined as one who purchases something. Linux is free in the sense of free beer, and free spirit. You can’t change windows beyond MS EULA…if so you are technically a criminal…With linux its like playing with play dough. You mold it shape it and do as you will with it…just as long as when you hand it to the next kid he or she has the pleasure of building something better off of what you started or just smashing it and building something completely different…just so long as the guy next to him or her has the privilege to do the same as the 2 before him. Linux Mint 7 and Ubuntu Jaunty will not take the market share but they will have something that windows users dont. Freedom, and happy “customers”.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:29:15 +0000

@Mitch Kehn

You do realise that Oracle bought out Sun, right? They can’t even figure out what they’re doing with MySQL, and Sun is laying off another 3,000 workers while the EU antitrust commission debates whether or not the merger is going through. Yeah, I guess you’re right, Sun Microsystems is a trusted, mainstream brand.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:16:05 +0000

@Bruce Wagner:

“What we need to do….. is FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET NEW COMPUTERS SHIPPED WITH UBUNTU INSTEAD OF WINDOWS.

If we could do that, Windows would be gone overnight.”

They did that. Dell used to sell computers that came with Ubuntu pre-installed. Nobody bought them, so they stopped.

By: Mitch Kehn

Mitch Kehn — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:28:29 +0000

I’ve been using Linux and Mac exclusively for several years. Making the switch to Linux was a fairly steep learning curve at first, but OS stability, lower cost of operation and not having to play cat and mouse with viruses and malware made it worth the effort.

If Linux is ever going to be a real competitor to Windows, here’s what needs to happen …

1.) Settle on a distro and build on it. I use Ubuntu, but Open Solaris is promising (I couldn’t get it to do a complete an install on my eeePC though). The mainstream DESKTOP user will want ONE REALLY GOOD OS from ONE trusted source. They have been trained that way. Sun Microsystems or Google could pull it off because they are already trusted MAINSTREAM BRANDS.

2.) Wine or Crossover or something not yet developed, has to work perfectly and without effort so that Windows progams can be used until Linux versions can be develoed. Too many folks have too much time and money invested in Quickbooks, TurboTax and Photoshop, to switch OS. I know many folks who would switch to Mac, even at 2x the hardware price, but having to replace all their software is the deal breaker.

3.) Decide it is okay to make money. Let’s use Sun Microsystems as an example; wouldn’t a REALLY SLICK Solaris distro (really just an enhanced version of Ubuntu) with a feature enhanced OO office suite, enhanced version of GIMP and excellent multimedia support as standard features be worth the SAME as Windows in the eyes of most consumers?

4.) Mainstream users equate FREE, with INFERIOR. If you get what you pay for, what do you get if you pay nothing?

By: Bruce Wagner

Bruce Wagner — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:09:39 +0000

I have been using Ubuntu Linux for about three years or so now. I have never opened the console (terminal, I think you mean).

Also, I don’t have to reboot three times a day any more. I only reboot about once a month… and only to close everything fast… not because I have to.

I love Ubuntu. We never have any issues with drivers installing Ubuntu on friends’ computers. With Windows we have nothing but problems — missing drivers, viruses, malware, bloatware, and crashing and rebooting 3-4 times a day.

Windows Vista is the worst major release software ever developed. And Windows 7 is not much better.

What we need to do….. is FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET NEW COMPUTERS SHIPPED WITH UBUNTU INSTEAD OF WINDOWS.

If we could do that, Windows would be gone overnight.

By: gica

gica — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:15:43 +0000

Thats about the same way they count windows users. Although they use PC sales with windows preinstalled, and not downloads.

I bought both my laptop and PC with windows preinstalled, and whiped them only to install Ubuntu. You can imagine that i am not the only one .

Linux is said to have 1% market share ever since i can remember . I have been using linux for 5 years now, never looked back. People seem to be stuck in an era that linux first appeared on the desktops .

In any case, with every new version Ubuntu (at least) is getting better and better. I never have to open a terminal for ANYTHING (excluding perl coding and others…i just prefer VIM over other editors).