Anandtech: What's Holding Linux Back?

[ Thanks to Bastion for this link. ]

"...I personally feel that Linux is very close to breaking through on the desktop side, provided some changes can be made. Corel made a pretty decent attempt at creating a migration path for Windows users not only by releasing their own modified Debian release, with a Windows-Friendly feel, but also by porting their Word Perfect and Corel Draw suites over to Linux. However, the movement has suffered a kick in the gut, thanks to a variety of factors, and now the community must forge ahead to make up the lost ground.

For those of us that have experience with Linux, we know of its growth and maturation. However, in order to see Linux continue to grow and even make inroads into the desktop environment, there are a number of things that will need to be done. The first things I would focus on are the things that trouble users on the PC side the most.

Linux needs to be more approachable for novices, and those who use Windows, since that is where much of the conversion will come from. If the community can get fully behind KDE 2.x and 3.x that will help. If the KDE or Samba groups can produce a consistent, super easy and nearly automatic dialog to configure and activate Samba file sharing with Windows networks, that will also help."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• LinuxPlanet: .comment: The Plateau(Oct 20, 2001)
• ScotFinnie.com: Build a Better User Experience ... or Get Out of the Way(Oct 05, 2001)
• Mojolin: Linux on the Desktop -- missing the mark(Sep 16, 2001)
• CRN: Linux's Desktop Dilemma(Sep 06, 2001)
• InfoWorld: Go Linux Desktop Now(Aug 21, 2001)
• LinuxWorld/IDG: Does Linux have a future on the desktop? (Aug 20, 2001)
• ZDNet: Caldera CEO: Challenge of the desktop(Aug 18, 2001)
• ComputerWorld: Is Linux ready for the corporate desktop? (Miguel de Icaza) (Aug 15, 2001)
• Heise Online: And What Do You Do With Linux?(Aug 15, 2001)
• Two on the Desktop: "A Linux Desktop is on the Way" and "Revenge of the Dead Desktop" (Jul 12, 2001)