Why is Linux stuck?-Speedymac

Why is Linux stuck?

October 18, 2007 · 2 comments

With fanfare Ubuntu 7.10 has been released and it looks like a solid update. My favorite by far.

As usual there is still a sense of working on an OS built with 1990’s sensibilities and kitchen sink feature-itus.

The community should consider setting forth a UI standard.

One comment I read this morning sums up why I think Linux is still stuck in the geek crowd.

When someone said they missing Quicksilver from OS X, the response was:

Quicksilver: learn shell programming and never look back.

(Via Switching From OS X to Ubuntu: 10 Things I Miss - Starry Hope Productions.)

Come on. That is like saying if you want to work in a fast and productive word processor, try emacs!

Joe blow is never going to learn emacs - ever.

I still do most of my work in OS X because it works faster and the UI is consistent. Quicksilver, Spotlight, CSSEdit, TextMate, MySQL, VMWare and every web browser under the sun just work.

I can set it all up from a fresh install in under an hour.

When I want to relax, iTunes, DVDs and most other media including the latest Flash just work.

No fidgeting with codecs, tweaking my X11 configuration, wondering why my laptop is not sleeping or waking from sleep.

These are all things that can be overcome I am certain.

But, if you think design by corporate fiat (Steve Jobs?) is bad, take a long hard look at design by the disjointed groups in the Linux world.

Some of which seem to lack a clear understanding of who they are building Linux for.

This is not to say their work is not amazing and awe inspiring. Linux is a triumph! But it could be so much more.

Here is hoping that version 8, 9 or 10 will bring the pieces together.

2 responses so far ↓

1 Richard Chapman // Oct 18, 2007 at 03:25 PM

One of the reasons Linux is as much of a success today as it is, is because it is NOT like OS X or XP. If it was it would just be another proprietary also-ran. I hope to Linux is never like XP and especially like OS X. The reason? They are both controlled by egotistical mad men. That's how those operating systems got to be so "good", because of corporate control. That's why Linux seems to be so "messy" to some people, because it's NOT controlled by one person or corporation. One aspect of Linux I see being criticized lately is package management of all things. Neither Windows or OS X can update *all* applications, utilities, libraries and programs with 3 mouse clicks. And it's not likely they will ever be able to any time soon because there are no repositories for those operating systems. Package management on Linux is safer, easier and more fun (like a kid in a free candy shop) than on any proprietary OS. You have other criticisms but I'll leave them to the line forming behind me.
2 Lon // Oct 19, 2007 at 06:10 PM

When you boil it down, I don't see a huge difference between the ego's of the madmen controlling Apple and Microsoft, and those of the community that strive toward their goals. Both are opinionated and passionate about their goals. Which when combined will always turn off a segment of the potential users of any platform. But, I feel that Linux could be so much further along if there was something that focused the development forces on the typical enduser. I agree package management is nice on Linux and has come a hell of a long ways since a few years ago. But it could be simpler for non-technical users to manage. I revisit Ubuntu with every release. I think they are headed in a good direction. OpenSUSE also seems to be pushing in user-centric direction.