Marcel had another excellent show tonight with guest John Terpstra on the subject of the Linux Desktop and its adoption. Marcel, John and I are long time users of Linux and the Linux Desktop. I, however, have not had the success of pure Linux adoption that I would like to have. I have deployed several Linux servers in different environments and have had very good results, the desktop is another story in itself. I have repeated many times what one of my early Unix instructors taught us, “Users buy applications not Operating Systems.”
The problem that I have run into many times is an application that has become a deployment killer. There are many applications for specific use that do not have a Linux equivalent. The application that I brought up tonight in a call-in was Accelerated Reader (http://www.renlearn.com/ar/), a reading program with a Windows client. Fortunately the database is able to be stored on a Linux server using Samba. I have not been able to find a Linux based replacement for Accelerated Reader. This is only one example though, there are several other applications that are specialized for specific markets.
One of the oft repeated solutions is to run the application in Wine. I hesitate to implement in this environment because of support issues, both from the vendors and from my time availability. The other solution suggested is to dual boot or more recently run Windows in a virtual environment. Again, user training, and support become an issue as well as the inconvenience to the user and hardware requirements. Linux deployment should be as seamless as possible.
The benefits of running Linux become moot if the application your business needs doesn't run. Which brings us to the bigger problem, Linux adoption needs to be widespread for software vendors to supply Linux versions, and Linux versions need to be there for widespread Linux adoption. The general disappointment with Vista has not brought a major increase of Linux or OS X adoption. Sadly, Microsoft will probably fix their problems before Linux can make significant inroads.<
So what are the solutions? Taking a cue from John and Marcel, who suggested going into stores and requesting systems with Linux pre-installed or asking if the hardware or accessory you are about to purchase works with Linux; do the same with software vendors. Ask them if they have a version that runs in Linux. Go to their support bulletin boards or mail lists and ask if there is a Linux version. Make your voice and more importantly purchasing dollars heard. One application can make a complete Linux adoption possible, money talks and...well you know the rest.
Poeple don't buy operating systems - they buy solutions
I have spoken with lots of people about switching to Linux. The biggest problem for them is having to install Linux when they have already paid for MS Windows.
Over the past two months I have updated/assisted with:
a) My wife's laptop from OpenSUSE to Ubuntu as an experiment to see how well she can manage. So far no problems. PS: She had no problems with OpenSUSE, just wanted to try another Linux "version". At this time she will not express a preference.
b) A legally blind person from MS Vista to OpenSUSE 11.0 - has about 15 degree vision in one eye, and has color blindness also. He is much happier because he has total control over icon sizes, colors, contrast, etc., and loves the applications available - is using OpenOffice Writer, OpenOffice Calc, Firefox.
c) An IT consultant who had never run Linux. He was tired of virus and malware problems, so installed OpenSUSE 11.0 a month ago. He complains that getting wireless to work was too much hassel, but now it works and he does not know why it now works. Apart from wireless - he is thrilled with Linux and says he can not believe how good it is. He uses OpenOffice suite, Firefox, Freemind, OpenPlan, and some esoteric Java applications.
d) My son switched from Windows XP to OpenSUSE - no problems so far.
A year ago my youngest daughter bought a new laptop and demanded that I put Ubuntu 7.04 on it. She has no intention of upgrading and says she intensly dislikes having to use Vista at work. I have also introduced a number of high-school students to Linux. Out of the five, one still uses Windows Vista "a bit" but thinks he will make a total switch soon. He misses some of his favorite games software that is not available under Linux.
All these are non-technical Linux users.
My observation is that we Linux affectionados spend too much time explaining why Linux us not good enough, when in fact for most people it is. But having said that, let's agree that it is applications that drive adoption - IF - If the consumer (buyer, user) can get started to begin with. There-in lies a key problem. How do we solve that one?
My answer: All of us who like and believe in Linux as a suitable platform can make a huge impact by being more outspoken about our preferred platform. We need to evangelise Linux use and encourage others to ask for Linux and Linux applications at every opportunity. A certain amount of activism is necessary to change the status-quo market and to spawn Linux on the desktop adoption.
- John T.
The good news is
... this is the hard lesson that Microsoft received with Vista.
Virtualization
I have had success with virtual. Especially among OS X and Linux users who tolerate the Windows 'Caste'.