Ionrock Dot Org

I had a bit of a revalation today regarding Linux on the desktop. Many argue that it just isn't ready yet and while I agree with them that it is not best for everyone, it is not the system that really is flawed. Really, the problem lies in how people expect their computers and software to work. When I first started using Linux the big issue was a decent word processor. I remember when Abiword was first released and I tried it out. I was very happy with it and thought to myself how now Linux would take over every desktop known to man. Did I mention I was a lot younger then.

Now I realize that things are much more complicated. Desktop Linux is not about writing papers and sending email. Desktop Linux is about enterprise applications that allow for easy collaboration with others. People use windows because they use it at work. This is why Apple has not been more succesful. It is just too hard to work in a Windows world. Consider then if Linux is really ready for the desktop? The fact may be that it is more than ready. Many people could easily understand the benefits of the command line and how more abstract forms of writing help to create better documents than wysiwyg applications but since they have a system they are used to, there is no desire to change.

This really is not that big of a deal if you ask me (and I am sure someone did). Free software has done a great job at showing how programming and technology is about being smart and enjoying problem solving. I think that this realization will only help the entire tech market in that it will spawn more people trying to learn more and just be smart. I know microsoft has tons of really smart folks there. A little pressure to get them thinking might be a really great thing for them. I think I've lost site of what this post was about... oh yeah desktop linux. My main point here is that when you compare Linux to Windows you don't give Linux enough credit because being ready for the desktop is being ready to be just like Windows. Since, most in the Linux community are pragmatists, most would use Windows if they wanted it. In other words different strokes for different folks. Linux is ready for my desktop and that is fine with me.