[NTLUG:Discuss] Desktop Linux - From Open Source

[Stan Gatchel]

CNR from Linspire has some very nice features but I think it has a way 
to go (no uninstall for instance) before it's ready for prime time. 
Synaptic is not too bad. Autopackage seems promising but the number of 
packages using it is small. There are many people working on this so 
hopefully something will come out of it.

Is KDE working on something in this area?

The big advantage of Linux is the free application base. Yes, Windows 
offers many app's, easily installed, but you get into the ole 
"purchase/endless-upgrade" cycle designed to empty you pockets! If we 
can ever have a free (or even subscription) service that can upgrade 
major distros from a large repository, I think we can then say "problem 
solved." Next?


Stan

Dennis Rice wrote:
> Have been following the discussion regarding Open Source.  It is one 
> topic, but the mags continue to say every year that this will be the 
> year of the Linux Desktop.  My response is that I wish it could be.
>
> An issue brought up was the ease of adding applications to Linux.  My 
> issue is that this is a very important issue with a variation in 
> problems caused by a multitude of distributions, requiring a variation 
> of installation procedures.  This is where M$ Windows has a big leg up 
> on Linux, one writes software according to their very specific rule book 
> (no other comment provided).  M$ does have one problem that Apple has 
> overcome, M$ supports a variety of hardware whereas Apple says that the 
> software has to run on their OS AND hardware -- nice control.
>
> Linux has the best of all worlds, it lets you do it your way.  And of 
> course, you get to have the pleasure of figuring it out.  That means one 
> must be intelligent (or at least desire to be).  M$ is designed to be 
> operated by the very dumbest user that could not care the least about 
> what it takes to make it run.  The user only need to take a list to the 
> store and they will provide a system that will support the operation.  
> Simple installation GUIs are provided to install every application -- 
> just a click or two and the application is installed.
>
> There is the "committee" that is attempting to establish standards in 
> the Linux world, the Linux Standards Board (LSB), but like any 
> committee, there are too many differing opinions and as such I do not 
> observe much constancy.  They are like the committee that invented the 
> camel, one, two, or no humps (horse).  Best example is Red Hat and 
> Debian.    Where are applications installed, what is the procedure 
> ......    Does the common user really care?  Do they want to be bothered 
> by such issues?
>
> I believe that the common user wants to obtain an application, be it 
> proprietary or open source, have an easy method to install it, and an 
> easy interface to use it by.  Meet these requirements and we will see 
> Linux truly grow into dominance on the desktop, until then, keep buying 
> stock in M$.
>
> Dennis
>
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