Linux is at its best when the user doesn’t even know they are using it

by Rich Menga on May 20, 2008 | 9 comments

The title of this article is a quote from a really good article called Linux is in Bed with Mom. The reason the article is so frickin’ good is because it completely nails what Linux is absolutely best at doing on the consumer end, that being the OS in an embedded system.

Part of the whole Mac vs. PC crapola is that the user (you) is very aware of what operating system you’re using.

Could you imagine for a moment using a computer and simply not caring what OS is there as long as it worked and did what you wanted it to do? Better yet, wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t think about the OS at all?

You actually do this already.

Here are three examples:

Wireless phones. The vast majority of people who use wireless phones absolutely do not care what OS is on the phone as long as it works.

Gaming consoles. Simply put, you go to the store, buy a game that’s made for your console, pop in the disc and you’re up and running – and you couldn’t care less about the OS in the box.

Cable/Satellite Boxes. Every time you bring up a menu on your television via the remote, you’re using the OS inside that box. Do you care what it is? Of course you don’t.

As some people know I wave the “do more with less” banner loudly and proudly. Embedded systems are excellent examples of this way of computing, and Linux is obviously the best choice for the OS in a system of that type.

If you want further proof that this style of computing can really work, see the Splashtop, a rapid-start platform. This uses an Asus motherboard with “Express Gate.” It allows for the instant-on feature of the Splashtop. VERY cool.

Linux makes stuff like this possible. But the best part is that when using a unit like Splashtop, you’re not thinking about Linux. In fact you’re not thinking about the OS whatsoever. You’re just using the computer and getting things done.

And that’s how it’s supposed to be.

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Sam
Thats the way an OS should be.
OS wars nowadays seem to be all about features. Does OSX have this, does Windows have that, which one looks the best…
Richard Chapman
There’s no question Linux has found fertile ground in mobile gadgets. The prevailing mind-set(in cement) seems to be that because Linux is successful there, it does not belong on the desktop. Why? Because Windows (pick anyone) is unable to break loose from its desktop mooring Linux should not be able to swing clear from its small mobile gadget mooring? Linux is not Windows. That goes for sector lock-in too.
Linux is not moving as fast at replacing Microsoft Windows on the desktop as it is moving into other sectors. The reason? Because it’s not Windows. Windows cannot be changed, it must be replaced and Linux is not a Windows replacement. It’s something else entirely. People who can except that become new Linux users. Those who cannot write nasty blogs explaining why Linux is not “ready for the desktop”. Linux has been ready for the desktop for some time, but only for those who have finally realized that Windows is not ready for the desktop.
http://none David M
The purpose of an OS is to run software. Where is the great software selection for Linux that we already see for Windows and Macs? Having a hobby OS is fine, but the reality is there needs to be lots of great software to choose from if it is to become popular.
Where are all the great games from EA and Microsoft that run on Linux? Where is the spreadsheet software? Does Google Earth run on Linux? Does Linux run Adobe Photoshop? Is there anything like iTunes for Linux? There is tons more great software that will not run on Linux.
Seriously, whats the point of having an OS if there is not much to run on it?
David

http://www.darknet-fusion.co.cc Vertimyst
David,
There are plenty of choices for software on Linux. See http://www.osalt.com for example.
For spreadsheets, Openoffice (http://www.openoffice.org/) is a good choice. Google Earth and Adobe Photoshop run on Linux as well – in fact, I have Photoshop installed this very second. Amarok (http://amarok.kde.org/) is an excellent media player, very much like iTunes, IMO, perhaps better.
Secondly, Linux is more stable than Windows. I have yet to have my Linux installation crash on me, and I’ve been running it for two+ years.
Games are the exception, though I can run World of Warcraft, Half-Life 2, etc. fairly well. Unreal Tournament III and Neverwinter Nights 2 have Linux versions either available to download from the developer’s site or on the disc. There are also many games available for Linux on the internet.
EA’s games suck (for the most part) IMO, though, and Microsoft would never consider putting their games on Linux. Windows and Linux compete, Microsoft doesn’t want to actually /support/ Linux. That would be like allowing users to legally install Mac OSX natively on a Windows machine, in Microsoft’s eyes.
So next time you complain about Linux, do your research first. I suggest trying Linux, possibly Ubuntu. It might do you some good.

http://hgamer.blogspot.com heartless_
David:
Almost every piece of software listed runs, in some way, on Linux. And there are plenty of FREE office and productivity apps available, such as Open Office. Sure, they are not Microsoft Office, but then again most people don’t ever use $300 worth of MS Office’s features. Microsoft knows that Office is their standby, the one thing they are truly good at producing. If you notice, MS Office is adapting far quicker to the needs of the business community than any of their operating systems.
Oh and do you even realize what Mac’s OS X is built on? If you did, then you may realize iTunes is built on a Linux platform and has been easily adapted to run through various means on most Linux distributions. The only major hurdle was Apples retarded DRM, but that is another discussion entirely.
It is not Linux’s fault that developers refuse to develop natively for it. However, Linux developers have been very keen to work on projects to provide interoperability.
Microsoft, as a market leader, should of ensured interoperability of platforms. It is truly in their best interest, because history has taught us that market leaders without competition eventually fizzle. Unfortunately, Microsoft has walked the industry into a proprietary corner. Instead of being able to program or build universally compliant devices and software, we are stuck in the “it works on this or that”. Standards exist for a reason, but business always gets in the way and the end user gets shafted paying outrageous fees for licenses and other such nonsense.
At some point, Windows will not be king. What happens then?
Thats right, almost everything developed for a Windows platform does not work any longer because it wasn’t developed on an open, standards compliant platform.
And that is the whole point of this article. Linux, because of it’s open nature, is adaptable and is quickly finding its way into almost everything electronic. At some point, Linux will outnumber Windows 10 to 1, and NO AVERAGE USER will notice it.
So, Linux isn’t going to play your new games, isn’t going to become a mainstream Desktop operating system, but it will find its place and people like you WILL NEVER EVEN KNOW YOU’RE USING IT.
http://hgamer.blogspot.com heartless_
Also want to note that it is not Linux’s fault that software developers refuse to develop applications in standard-compliant ways, which would go a long way to help ALL operating system developers.
http://none David M
I hear lots of excuses, but still the bottom lines is that the vast majority of software runs on Windows and Apple computers. Until that changes, Linux will remain a hobbyists operating system for rebels who hate evil corporations like Apple and Microsoft. I’m just not enough of a rebel I guess.
Pretender
com on guy
Just becouse Linux its free , doesn mean its the best.
Why then people prefer to use and pay for windows, ..?
I tried linux, and i had only problems oninsta;ling, look at the hel p forums, its full of hardware problems
Linux wil always be 3 after windows and mac

http://www.darknet-fusion.co.cc Vertimyst
[rant]
Prefer to use and pay for Windows? No, actually.
Most people (average users, not techies) don’t know about Linux, so they don’t really have a choice. And when did you try Linux? What distro? Linux has evolved over the years, and, while I’ve had problems with it in the past, any distros I’ve installed recently (this year/last year) have worked perfectly, with no problems at all.
You say the forums are full of hardware problems, well guess what, of course people will have problems. I challenge you to look at some Vista support forums, there’ll be tons of problems in there too.
Linux is better, IMO, than Windows in every way, save for gaming, but it’s getting there. The sound is better quality, for one thing. Anything I can do in Windows, I can do in Linux if I want to. Photoshop CS2 and Dreamweaver 8 install perfectly fine in Linux now, for example.
How many times do you see the Blue Screen of Death in Windows? I’ve seen it far too often for my liking. How many times have I seen something like it in Linux? None. Linux is /way/ more stable than Windows at this time, and likely will stay that way for a long time.
I realize Linux isn’t for everyone, there will always be Windows fanboys like you, but at least give it some credit. Like I said, it one-ups Windows in almost every way. Windows has its strengths, yes, but it has far too many faults for me to tolerate it. Plus, I don’t really believe in the ‘you get what you pay for’ saying. I’ve never payed for Windows in my life (unless you count the preinstalled versions that come with computers), and it’s always been troublesome for me. I’ve never payed for Linux either, and I’ve only had a couple problems in the past.
Try Ubuntu, openSUSE, Mandriva, and Fedora, for example. I’m sure they will slap you in the face for everything you thought about Linux previously.
[/rant]