Linux Interactive: Linux as a Desktop

[ Thanks to Matt Williams for this link. ]

"The second (and final observation I'll cover for now) thing I've realized after much toying around is that Linux isn't a desktop OS...YET. I feel it has a lot of potential with apps like Evolution and OpenOffice and with new configuration utilities like those seen in Red Hat's Limbo (MS Windows' like display settings for example). It just isn't easy enough to install yet (always improving here though) and adding devices isn't as easy as with other OS's. I still believe Linux is on the right path and the Ximian and GNOME projects, along with KDE, are working wonders (compared to when I first used Linux [four years] ago).

"That said, I'm going to start using Linux as a desktop. As I'm heading off to college and on a budget in terms of PCs, I decided to build my own machine. I have bought components for what will make a killer multimedia and development powerhouse, but it will be running Windows XP (sorry...GIMP still isn't Photoshop and other high-end website development tools don't match up). But, since I shopped around, I had $350 left in my budget. I figured having a backup PC couldn't hurt. So, I bought components for what will be an awesome Linux desktop and I'll be running Red Hat 7.3 (thanks to Linux Central). Why? First, I'm an Information Systems major, so having a great platform to code on will be a plus. Second, I'm confident in Linux's desktop options and feel if my WinXP machine fails, I can survive a long while on the Linux machine..."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• Linux and Main: Twelve Steps to Desktop Dominance(Jul 24, 2002)
• Wiggins: Top 10 Things Wrong With Linux, Today(Jul 12, 2002)
• LinuxWorld: Why KDE Applications Have a Bright Desktop Future(Jul 01, 2002)
• Linux and Main: The Future Belongs to GNOME; Inertia, to KDE(Jun 26, 2002)