neekslowry wrote:
There is no "better", really, but I'll be honest, Linux is not the answer.
Brent
Such a good answer up until this point; will you please elaborate? Why is an open-platform not the answer? You validate a company that's only real contribution to computing was transforming the vertical business model of the 80s, in which OEMs packaged software/hardware, to a detached horizontal business model. Once they struck gold in the 90s with enterprise, they've hampered a lot of the forward-moving technologies w their proprietary substitutes.
I'm not saying Linux is a BAD operating system. I've used plenty of distros over the years myself for minor stuff. I like the platform.
But in terms of it being a better platform for the masses, it is not. Even with the current state of user interfaces within Linux, it's just not positioned to become a viable option for the normal user. It's still too "geeky" for most people, and isn't as user friendly as Windows or Mac. In addition, there is zero standardization in the Linux distro market, which means that getting the normal user on board will be near impossible.
People who use Linux may not want to admit that it's not ready for mainstream, but it's the truth. People have been saying for how many years now that Linux is going to make a run at Windows and Mac? But there is a reason it has gained almost no ground, and it isn't just because of the money spent on advertising for Microsoft and Apple. The typical user, even the typical power user, just doesn't want to fuss with the extra work involved with TRULY taking advantage of Linux. This is why most commercial developers also don't jump to it.
Open source is fantastic. I'm a huge supporter of it. But even as somebody who DOES understand Linux, I prefer Windows and even OSX because of the standardization and support involved. And for a mainstream audience, Linux in it's current form will never be a viable option for people.
Again, this is less about what is "better", and more about what is viable. I have nothing against Linux, open source or any other concepts involved.
Brent