Linux on the desktop, take 2

["markw-4" <user=5@nabble.blu.org>]

 I've been sort of following the thread and it occurs to me that it has 
sort of spiraled out of context with Canonical and GPL compliance, etc. 

Stepping back to consider "ready for the desktop," I'm not sure what that 
means in any real sense. I've seen my 70 year old mom try to use her Mac. 
It took her a bit of learning of concepts and techniques to be able to use 
it. She was reluctant to switch to Mac from Windows, but Windows was 
something I was no longer going to deal with. (I have a life too.) 

Now she loves her Mac and can't believe all the non-sense she had to deal 
with on Windows. 

It occurs to me that "ready for the desktop" has nothing to do with any 
solid and quantifiable measure. Unless it is exactly the same as what you 
are used too, but better, there will always be resistance to acceptance. 
Any differences, regardless of severity, will be trotted out by people as 
reasons why "A" is better than "B" because one is used to "A" and 
perceives it as better. 

The second problem is compatibility, there will always be compatibility 
issues between different systems, especially when one vendor has a great 
amount of control over a large base. Again, if upstart "A" does not play 
nice with established system "B" the perception is that "A" is not ready, 
regardless if "B" is the problem. 

The last issue is pre-installation. Mom and pop aren't installing Linux 
any time soon. 

Therefor, I think that Linux, for all rational evaluation has been "ready 
for the desktop" since the late '90s. I have been using Linux exclusively 
as my desktop system since 1995/1996. 

The problem is the perception of Linux and more so the perceived value in 
adjusting your ways to a new system. The Macintosh is riding high now 
because Windows generally and Vista specifically are a disaster. The Mac 
is slick, clean, and has a great marking campaign. The image is carefully 
controlled and wonderfully portrayed by Justin Long. Linux has no such 
image or marketing. 

So, is it ready for the desktop? Yes. Are people ready for it? Not without 
some a likable face, a solid reason to switch, and an easy way to get 
there. I'm imagining an HP ad where someone like Robert Downey jr, as Tony 
Stark, says "You could use Windows... but I prefer solid engineering and 
reliability, that's why we use HP with Linux pre-installed at Stark Labs." 

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