In one word, yes. But one word just doesn’t do justice the issue of addressing linux as a desktop OS to replace Windows and its huge established base of users who are used to a “simpler” desktop operating system. I love linux, but unfortunately:
- I have to go with what I know
- I don’t have the time to dedicate to the learning curve for linux
- and I use Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop and cannot accept that linux cannot run them 100% (Wine etc do not do a 100% job and Adobe has yet to release versions for linux).
On October 21st ZDNet’s Paul Murphy wrote Desktop Unix: MacOS X and SUSE Linux where he compared MacOS X, Novell Suse Linux, and Windows and had this to say:
… Back on planet earth, however, it’s hard to think of an argument for buying a Microsoft desktop that doesn’t start and end with: “because we already have Microsoft…”
If you’re halfway objective about it, that leaves you to choose between the latest Linux desktop and MacOS X for your users - a choice most people will, I think, find to be an absolute no brainer.
I have to respectfully disagree because I think his post missed an even more important issue than an installed client base for Windows being the deciding factor. First off, I agree the other 2 platforms perform better and are more dependable. I rarely use a Mac, they are mystical and wonderful creatures I’ve read about but which my main experience has been browsing the web and using the email client - both of which had shortcuts on the desktop. Beyond that I get lost, and really it doesn’t count that I learned some Basic programming on an Apple 2e back in high school.
Where was I? Oh yes, the important issue I think Paul overlooked in this particular post is that of learning the new operating system. Yes, there is a learning curve for linux as this link and my personal experience can attest to, and there is also a learning curve for the Mac though I lack much experience in that arena. For users like me that is a personal choice - do I want to take the time to read, google around and maybe buy some books on learning to use one of these new operating systems? However for a business that translates to training both your existing workforce as well as new employees who will most certainly come with a Windows background more often than a Mac or linux background unless you run an IT business, work in or around the school system or do something like graphics art.
I think at the heart of the matter, this is the frustrating reason (besides the installed client base that Paul mentioned) that Mac and linux desktops are not enjoying a heavier market share. A major shift away from Windows to either would force Microsoft to address usability issues like OS design/architecture/navigation (where is it and how do I use it?) and reliability (how often will it crash?) sooner rather than later.
Here’s to wishing!
Tags: Linux
October 24th, 2008 at 5:29 am
You can use Linux on the desktop with Windows look and feel and without spending time on learning. Try TITAN LEV http://www.titanlev.com and see for yourself how easy it is to switch
October 24th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Dreamweaver’s pretty close to 100%;
Photoshop is more like 90%.
You may have to jump through a hoop or two at the start
(see http://wiki.winehq.org/AdobeApps ), and
Bridge isn’t there yet, but most users should be happy.
Which versions of Dreamweaver and Photoshop are you using?
Have you tried them yourself on Wine?
What problems have you run into? Let me know and I’ll make sure we’re looking at them.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
It’s a fair comment one I hear a lot but there’s one
big problem: the learning curve for people going from
Windows ME to 2000 was bigger than the one from XP to MacOS X or
or SuSe Linux, so was the one from Windows 2000 to XP/2003; and so is the one from XP/03 to Vista.
People are willing to make learning investments.. I think it’s fear of change, not actual change, that counts.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Paul, You may be right about learning investments and fear of change, and I think we agree that Windows is not being the best choice - not only is it buggier, less dependable and requires more maintenance but its users are a bigger target for crackers/hackers and malware writers.
In both the home and business sectors Windows has a large advantage and in the form of a large, established user base (each feeding the other). I personally think linux will start to catch up to Windows as linux distros become “easier to use”. Last time I chose a linux distro, I chose Ubuntu as my favorite, and sometimes it seemed the only way to get something I wanted was through the command line. As a former DOS user that’s okay, but not preferred and I think more importantly most of America would say “What’s a command line, and why does it seem like I’m not really in command here?”
MacOS seems to have shown itself as too expensive for “the masses” (or it just loses the price wars).
October 27th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Dan, I use DW 8 and Photoshop CS2 and haven’t tried them on Wine. My Linux box in under-powered (see specs at http://www.divergentstudio.com.....al-day-18/).
I haven’t gotten a chance to try Wine beyond Notepad++ the night I installed it. Soon after I moved my office around and the new placement for my linux box (my tertiary, “learning” machine) was too far away for wired connection, and I started spending less and less time thinking about linux.
I don’t want to jump through any hoops for these apps, I’d really prefer Adobe wake up and start offering them native for linux.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Yoram, I *was* going to say I prefer Ubuntu as far as Linux goes and then I checked your link.
I’m not sure how “compatible” TITAN LEV can be to Windows, but I suspect its weakness is built into linux itself. Simply put, management of the computer, files and software on the computer need to be closer to 100% as it is in Windows. In Windows you only need to use a command line in rare instances, and I believe that’s one of the key things linux distros need to improve. Well, that and the issue of supporting more Windows hardware so Windows users can more easily make the switch - a major benefit of linux.