osOpinion: Where Is the New Linux Experience?

May 24, 2001, 04:29 (16 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Doug Dingus)

[ Thanks to Kelly McNeill for this link. ]

Hallmark called to offer us a bulk rate on "Linux Desktop Week" cards. This piece from osOpinion falls under the "optimistic but unhappy with the general direction" category of Linux-on-the-desktop prognostications: "Linux needs to be a different experience, not a familiar one with a better kernel.

"Gnome and KDE both are taking the wrong path. They are trying to build too much into the desktop. In doing so, these UIs are getting slower, and are bringing bloatware to Linux for all the wrong reasons.

One thing often said about Linux is that it performs well on older hardware. This statement is true. It's Gnome and KDE that don't. This is not a good thing. Any reasonable machine right now can perform basic computing tasks. Our desktop should make sure this continues to be true.

The Linux environment provides lots of choices. Geeks like this because they can get what they want. All they have to do is learn how to choose. Average computer users don't want this but don't need it either. It is better to have some basic tools in place that are flexible, creative, stable and that do the job."

Complete Story

Related Stories:

• CNET News.com: Dell: Linux too tech for the desktop(May 24, 2001)
• LinuxPlanet: .comment: If Not Now, When?(May 24, 2001)
• LinuxPlanet: The StartX Files: The Linux Uncertainty Principle(May 22, 2001)
• LinuxPlanet: RIP: Linux on the Desktop(May 22, 2001)