Linux Answers (UK): Breakthrough – the desktop

“The question has been popping up everywhere. From long-running
Linux websites to financial sections in newspapers, people are
starting to ask: “is Linux ready for the desktop?” Is it now a
viable alternative to Windows and MacOS? Can Linux really cut away
at Microsoft’s massive domination of the home computer operating
system?…”

“So, we’ve established that Linux has potential. But what about
now – what about fulfilling the needs of desktop users today? Well,
going back to the things people want, Linux already has much of
them. Viruses aren’t a fraction of the problem they are for Windows
users. Networking is fully catered for. We have powerful office
suites, like StarOffice, compatible with Microsoft products and
making working from home easier,and we have the advantage of
price.”

“Is that enough? To be honest, not really. The major
strengths that advocates have been stressing for years are
generally of a technical nature – like being open source, for
instance. While we all agree that the freedom offered by Linux is
fantastic, it’s not an issue likely to make Linux more appealing on
the desktop. Desktop users want things to be easy and
friendly. They want to pop a CD in the drive and have a new program
without any effort. They don’t want to learn complex commands and
syntax to accomplish basic tasks.”

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