[ Thanks to Kelly
McNeill for this link. ]
“A lot of industry Linux watchers claim that a fork is
unavoidable and will destroy Linux’s chance at being a mainstream
OS. I say that it is unavoidable, but it will help Linux’s chance
at being a mainstream OS, if it’s done right.’
“For Linux to be “mainstream”, it must supplant Microsoft
Windows 9x. To do this Linux must become easier to use than
consumer MS-Windows, its already more stable. The Linux community
also needs to keep its collective eyes firmly on the future, if
Linux can stay a step ahead of consumer Windows on upcoming
technologies, it will usurp users as Microsoft slowly loses them.
This is already starting to happen with NT/2000 users, but for 9x
users it’s a much different process.”
“What about forks? Where a fork is desperately needed in Linux
is the same place Windows has a “fork”. Between its
Server/Workstation “distributions” (NT/2000) and its consumer
“distributions” (95/98). A well-placed fork could do lot for
Linux.“