What do you think would be THE "threshold development" capable to convert 80% of Windows users to LINUX?

[tcrosson]

By far the biggest problem for Linux is driver support. If we ever see Linux drivers become the norm (i.e. Linux drivers shipped with all/majority of products) then we'll start to see more and more Linux software which would make many take the plunge.

I mean think about it. With few drivers to fully take advantage of todays newest hardware - what major developer would want to waste their time making software to please a handful of people? I'm not spending $3,000 on the fastest PC to play a few games with "generic" and out-dated drivers for all of that great hardware just to say "I use Linux". If I moved to Linux now many of my All-in-Wonder Radeon's features would be useless and I'd have to sacrafice many of my soundcard's features (or have to live with limited features). I bought the products I have for ALL of their features - I personally would like to take advantage of them. That is something I wouldn't be able to do (at least right now) with Linux. Additionally, some of the software that came with my hardware I happen to like.

At least that's why I'm not moving my main system to Linux anytime soon.

 

[Nothinman]

I'm not spending $3,000 on the fastest PC to play 3 games with

If you pay $3K for a PC just to play games you deserve what you get, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

If I moved to Linux now my All-in-Wonder Radeon's features would be useless, I'd have to buy new NIC's, I'd have to sacrafice many of my soundcard's capabilities, and the feature-rich software I'd have to give up is too much to list.

All your hardware should work, I looked at the rig you have in Anandtech's database, although I can't personally vouch for the TV on the AIW I have seen people say it works. I also believe the Live drivers have most of the features working, of course I could care less, my Live plays sound and that's all that matters to me.

And software, pfft Windows software is laughable. All the free software has some sort of trojan, spyware, virus, whatever embedded in the installers now and all the pay software costs tons more than it should. If you're happy with it that's fine, but since I've had XP on my new laptop I get frustrated almost daily at stupid little things Windows or it's "feature-rich" software try to do behind my back. If it wasn't for CivIII I'd probably put Linux on it so it would actually work well.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< I'm not spending $3,000 on the fastest PC to play 3 games with

If you pay $3K for a PC just to play games you deserve what you get, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

If I moved to Linux now my All-in-Wonder Radeon's features would be useless, I'd have to buy new NIC's, I'd have to sacrafice many of my soundcard's capabilities, and the feature-rich software I'd have to give up is too much to list.

All your hardware should work, I looked at the rig you have in Anandtech's database, although I can't personally vouch for the TV on the AIW I have seen people say it works. I also believe the Live drivers have most of the features working, of course I could care less, my Live plays sound and that's all that matters to me.

And software, pfft Windows software is laughable. All the free software has some sort of trojan, spyware, virus, whatever embedded in the installers now and all the pay software costs tons more than it should. If you're happy with it that's fine, but since I've had XP on my new laptop I get frustrated almost daily at stupid little things Windows or it's "feature-rich" software try to do behind my back. If it wasn't for CivIII I'd probably put Linux on it so it would actually work well. >>


yeah i can understand the games argument, the driver argument is somewhat valid (depending on device of course), but the software issue is mostly made up, there is so much software available for linux it is ridiculous. and the majority is made by volunteers who make software because they enjoy it. they create things with features that they think will benefit users, and its just overall a positive thing, while in windows, most software either costs money, or is nag ware, spy ware, or ad ware or has some other "catch". there's probably equal to or more web browsers, theres plenty of text editors, text based and gui, theres excel replacements, whole MS office replacements, plenty of mp3 players, etc etc etc.

not to mention that most of the text editors have at least -a few- more features than notepad or write, and arent 8 MB like word.

the list could go on and on...

 

[MGMorden]

<< All the free software has some sort of trojan, spyware, virus, whatever embedded in the installers now and all the pay software costs tons more than it should. >>



With all due respect, I'm a Linux guy (though I use windows too. I've got two machines), but this comment is completely untrue. There is PLENTY legit free software out there for Windows with nothing malicious in the execs (there's still lots of stuff that doesn't even use an installer). Some of the software is even stuff ported from the unix world (such as GIMP). If you're talking about P2P file swappers, then I can see your point, but beyond that I seriously doubt more than 10% of the free Windows software is infected (be it with viruses or spyware) much less "all" of it.

 

[Nothinman]

but beyond that I seriously doubt more than 10% of the free Windows software is infected (be it with viruses or spyware) much less "all" of it.

I was hoping noone would find the need to argue semantics, I realize not all Windows freeware has some sort of piggy-backed infectious software with it, I was exaggerating.

Some of the software is even stuff ported from the unix world (such as GIMP)

This I also realize, infact I have much of it installed like gvim, cygwin, gimp, etc. And really it's some of the only Windows freeware I trust.

 

[tcrosson]

<<but the software issue is mostly made up, there is so much software available for linux it is ridiculous>>

Oops. I can see how my previous post could be misinterputed. I meant software that would ship with a piece of hardware (like LiveWare for our SB's or MMC for ATI's AIW). And yes, you are correct, BingBongWongFooey, in saying there is a ton of application software out there (MP3's, Word-compatible, etc).


<<If you pay $3K for a PC just to play games you deserve what you get, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.>>

Believe it or not Nothinman games are a big part of the PC industry. Additionally, I never said I only play games on my computer. I used that as a prime example as to why I am not moving to Linux. For many, many people that is the determining factor when asking themselves "should I move to linux?". You can find replacement software for everyday tasks relatively easily but when it comes down to it - if you want the latest and greatest games (to play now) then you're stuck with Windows.

In my case I want to play the latest games but I also like the multimedia aspect of my All-In-Wonder. I like the video in/out, the TV, the DVD playback, etc. I know this stuff barely works in Win2k P) but it would probably be less functional in Linux (I have no way of knowing since I don't have linux on my main system).

 

[Nothinman]

Believe it or not Nothinman games are a big part of the PC industry.

I know, I do play some games on mine, but paying $3K for a PC when a $1500, or less probably, one will do the same job is dumb. It's like buying a Ferrari to drive to work in, sure you look cool and get bragging rights, but if you think about it it's stupid.

I like the video in/out, the TV, the DVD playback, etc. I know this stuff barely works in Win2k P ) but it would probably be less functional in Linux (I have no way of knowing since I don't have linux on my main system).

Actually with programs like mtv (I think that's it), decss, xine and mplayer DVD, TV and DVD playback on Linux works really well. And saying "it would probably be less functional in Linux" proves you havn't even really looked.

 

[ultimatebob]

<< What would it be?

a) The ability to run ALL existing windows software without loss of performance?

b) An installer software that would allow all users of Windows (including small businesses and corporations) to remove all windows folders and replace them with LINUX while still running all existing Apps on those PCs. Thus minimizing conversion downtime!

c) More extensive driver support?

d) A company to provide centralised support for all Linux issues?

e) Further refinement of the Linux GUI?

What would you add to the above list? >>



I would say all the above, PLUS:

f) Default installation of Linux on all Desktop and Notebook computers produced by the top-5 computer manufacturers. Most people never install an OS, they just use whatever default OS install is on the computer.

g) A wide selection of retail games and applications that are available on Linux, that AREN'T available on Windows. You'll need motivation to convince the remaining people to switch.

h) Software installers and drivers that only require double-clicking of an icon to install the software. This is major Linux drawback, at the moment. If it's hard to add a scanner, or install an updated version of AIM or Winamp, they'll probably go back to Windows.

 

[Samsonid]

Well, here is my 2 cents:

I am not an experienced Unix or Linux user at all. Nonetheless, Windows has built enough frustration in me that I am desperate for alternatives. (In the past five years it felt as if I've spent more time maintaining and troubleshooting Windows defects than actualy doing work).

Whatever the alternative may be, it has to be Bare-bones Simple, Efficient graphical interface, Effective and INDISTRUCTIBLE.

No matter how crappy are the software that are being installed the OS should never corrupt. Most of all, I do not want to know jack about .dlls, registry keys, .sys files, and this and that technicality. The OS has to do its job so well that its invincible to the user.

One last thing. As an outsider (from Linux) there is one more daunting obstacle. Over the years my extensive investment in software has inadvertently "Locked me in" the Windows Platform. My current software investment is in excess of $10,000. And none of these software companies provide Linux versions for their titles. Even, the most well known ones like Adobe have limited Linux availablity. Illustrator can't be transfered, neither can Photoshop, or Indesign neither is my Web Publishing software and especialy not the prohibitivley expensive heavy-duty CAD/CAM (solid modeling software).

The only way I see linux or any OS standing a chance, is if the Justice department enforces M$ to disclose its API for all to see and someone would have to came up with a transitional OS that can run all current Windows titles effectively "buying" us some time while we slowly upgrade our titles to the new OS.

(Of course anything new would first have to be more Simple and stable than the current M$ offerings).

 

[Nothinman]

The only way I see linux or any OS standing a chance, is if the Justice department enforces M$ to disclose its API for all to see and someone would have to came up with a transitional OS that can run all current Windows titles effectively "buying" us some time while we slowly upgrade our titles to the new OS.

Their APIs are open, hell they give you the source to MFC with Visual Studio. It's just that it's so poorly designed with so much backwards compatibilty hacks it's a bitch to emulate or virtualize, WINE is going a really good job considering what they have to work with.

Most of all, I do not want to know jack about .dlls, registry keys, .sys files, and this and that technicality. The OS has to do its job so well that its invincible to the user.

Sounds like Mac OS X...

 

[Samsonid]

>>Their APIs are open...

That's not what I've heard.
The M$ APIs are only "partialy" open so that Microsoft maintains a competitive edge and runs havoc to the compatition whenever they feel like it.

 

[Nothinman]

That's not what I've heard.
The M$ APIs are only "partialy" open so that Microsoft maintains a competitive edge and runs havoc to the compatition whenever they feel like it.

People are always talking about the "hidden" APIs that only MS is allowed to use, and frankly it sounds dumb. I'm not saying MS doesn't have inside information that gives them a competitive edge and lets them do things others might not realize are possible, but do you know how much of a PITA it would be to maintain two sets of API calls? The maintenance overhead would make it not worth it.