We don’t need to declare the year of the Linux desktop anymore. This week alone was pretty darn good. Having spent the week at Computex, the place where you see all the things that people are going to find in Bestbuy and Amazon 6 months from now, it is clear that Linux has a critical role in client computing. Here is a shortlist of this weeks developments.
Moblin Breaks Out
Acer announced it will support Moblin across all its product lines. Asus showed some new prototypes at the Moblin executive summit. Canonical, Linpus, Novell, Red Flag, and Xandros all announced they will deliver Moblin versions of their distributions. We even saw several Android applications installed on a netbook running Moblin 2.0 in a speech from Intel on Thursday making it clear that it isn’t necessarily and either or game between the two platforms.
Smartbook or Netbook; Common Denominator is Linux
Qualcom has dubbed the term “Smartbook” which is defined as combining features of a smartphone and a netbook. It is unclear if this category will stick but there is one thing that both netbooks and smartbooks have in common; Linux. Moblin, Android, and desktop Linux were in all of the preview devices on display behind the scenes and on the show floor at Computex.
“Instant on”runs on Linux
As I predicted last year, Linux is shipping with a huge number of the PC’s at Computex thanks to a flurry of activity in the “fast boot” segment. On display this year were Fastboot from bios giant Phoenix, Splashtop from DeviceVM, and Presto from Xandros. Clearly consumers are sick of waiting for Windows to boot and with sub five second boot times from each of these vendors using Linux you can access your e-mail or web browser in seconds.
Dell Introduces a Full Linux Notebook for $299.00
Dell introduced the Inspiron N notebook computer this week for $299.00. This is a full fledged notebook computer with a 15 inch screen, a dvd burner, 160 gig hard drive and more for $299.00. This is breakthrough pricing in a market that can’t be re categorized by Microsoft as a “low-cost small notebook PC” It is hard to see how Microsoft can maintain their usual margins which would represent 1/3 of the cost of this PC. Linux’s fundamental pricing advantage here could not be more compelling.
Better Audio and Video Support
RealNetworks Inc announced it is licensing its RealPlayer for Linux on x86 and ARM-based netbooks, as well as the three “instant-on” products mentioned above. Real is joining Fluendo who is already partnering with Ubuntu to offer multimedia support for Linux on Dell products.
Palm “Pre” makes a spash with a Linux based Smartphone
Palm started selling its ambitious new smartphone product this week to strong reviews. Palm has bet the company on the Pre and it shows. The device has tremendous potential with slick industrial design and a solid Linux based software platform.
Intel Buys Wind River
Finally, Intel surprised everyone this week by purchasing Linux and embedded systems giant Wind River. If anyone questioned Intel’s commitment to Linux and to expanding in the embedded and mobile market this certainly made it clear that Intel is going all in. This acquisition, which is Intel’s first major M&A activity since 2001, is certain to help all of their efforts in this arena from the Moblin project they are working on with us here at the Linux Foundation to better software enablement of future products in this space.
After this week I think the term “year of the desktop” is becoming obsolete. Heck, after this week of the Linux desktop if there wasn’t so much going on I might even take next week off.
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There IS a big shift in attitude.
The most interesting indicators are:
- Technology oriented sites gets increased traffic by addressing OpenSource/Linux.
- They will continue writing about it because it’s profitable to do so.
- Debates around W7 indicates that the Windows enthusiasts are defensive or passive.
- Less FUD in debates and the FUD that exist is easy to identify and stop
- Fewer arguments such as “this or that doesn’t work”
- Linux-users are becoming confident thus rises above FUD.
- Linux-usersKNOW that Linux and their DE’s are VERY good.
No matter what technology people are interested in the buzz are centered around Linux/OpenSource. Mobile, MID, NetBooks, Desktop, Servers, Cloud, Mp3, Media: Pick one and Linux/OpenSource are in the lead.
The big difference is that now, this message drizzles down to regular users. They get the idea. Even more interesting is that regular users now understand why they can’t get Linux. Simply because Microsoft won’t let them. And even if they don’t care about their OS, people don’t like to be denied freedom of choice. Not at all.
The technology leading position of Linux/OpenSource does affect Microsoft in many ways.
Microsoft’s customers understand that Microsoft strategies locks them out. It is not lock-in anymore - it’s lock-out. From new, modern and valuable technology that reduces costs and stretches hardware lifecycles thus increases profitability.
This fall Microsoft brings W7 to the table. With a new modern DE. That is what they believe. No one using a Mac or a Linux DE will be impressed at all. It’s at least 4-5 years behind it’s competitors in terms of functionality. Where is the workflow? Where are the applications that are integrated into the DE? Any good and sensible webcentric apps?
Windows WILL have to turn *nix-like to compete, and I think they will. But not until Windows 8 or 9. My guess is that they are already working on it. Hard. Too late.
I feel like a lot of people have missed the boat about the Linux desktop. It happened last year, and the year before that. What was it you ask? Sugar beat Windows XP as Desktop of choice, and continues to, for laptops in developing countries. As it happens, Sugar runs on Linux.
There is an entire generation (actually generations) being raised on Linux/Sugar. I don’t think the “battle” between Linux and Windows is a)that big a deal, b)Windows isn’t going to go out with a bang, but rather a wimper.
The hard work for what one thought would be a bang will still be required.
But !! You won’t see any of these LInux computers in a Retail store in the USA, $Microsoft
has pretty much taken care of that.
[…] Ler entrada no blogue […]
Hello,
First : english is not my native language.
As a desktop user, I admit Linux netbooks work very well already. They connect easely and fast to the net, to mail apps and more.
What is a bit annoying is that Linux netbooks ship with a limited set of very large icons to lauch different apps. This is very easy to use on the first place, but quickly turns a nuisance. I believe most users would like to disable completely the huge icons and boot into a full desktop.
The end user should be able to switch easely and completely between limited HUGE icons and full desktop.
Another related nuisance is that you’re not supposed to add software to your Linux netbook. Well this is like shooting a bullet in Linux’s foot. With all the tons of great apps out there, it should seem obvious to have a packet manager : synaptic/ yast /pirut/rpmdrake /other, that eases adding software or switching to a different desktop.
Well on the netbooks now on sale there is no packet manager.
Of course, device manufacturers will have to run a bunch of servers to host the software repositories or use third party facilities : Debian /Canonical/ Mandriva /Fedora /Linpus /Other.
And why not host specialized forums on the same servers ? Lots of people are willing to help and share their expertise. Have you seen the burst of XXXX-device.net sites ? They were lauched by enthusiasts, vendors should provide the facilities.
Of course, forums need translations, not everybody speaks english.
Make the end user experience a great one and you gain a fan. Fans will bring you new customers, if that is what you want.
Alejo.
I said it before in my blog that GNU/Linux will be the prominent operating system of choice for people everywhere and I meant it.
Here’s the link to the article I wrote:
http://www.humans-enabled.com/2009/01/open-letter-to-game-makers-please.html
The GNU/Linux paradigm brings unlimited possibilities in the advancement of humans with technology.
These are exciting times for technology and I look forward to the future of GNU/Linux. Thank you to all who make this “Universal Operating System” possible!
Shannon VanWagner
humans enabled
Sorry, I use Linux as my main personal OS but until you can get it preinstalled on a mass market basis, it’s not happening. The single biggest issue was when Ubuntu came out and practically overnight all the buzz switch from the advantages of Linux as a Server product to the Desktop. Pity.
I think that (for the first time in a very long time) the news I’ve just read here is very encouraging. There is hope that linux will break out of obscurity/general anonymity and makes its presence felt in the personal computing world. It’s easy to envision a time in the not so distant future that I’ll be able to talk about linux and not get questions like “what does it do?”. wtf?! Apple has less than 10% market share, and yet everybody and his brother knows about Mac computers. Most people fall into one of three categories relative to Mac: either they 1) use it, 2) want to (because it’s cool and it works well) but can’t (because it’s too freakin’ expensive), or 3) don’t want to (which further subdivides into people who’ve used it but are mindlessly loyal to MS, or they’ve never used it).
I predict that linux will eventually share the same average-joe mindspace as Windows and Mac. I also think that linux’ market share won’t be much more than Mac — which both may possibly see numbers around 15% market share each. We should so that within the next 5 years. In other words, Windows will still dominate, just not as much.
I know those numbers don’t sound impressive. I think that Jacobs arguments are solid and reasonable (and furthermore true). But regardless of rationality or truth, MS dominates now, and they are some truly clever SOBs. And (to quote a line from the movie School Daze) a lot of folks will hold onto Windows “like a wino clutching his last bottle”. They’re so drunk on Windows, and MS has been so good to them before, they can’t just give it up now. They “need” Windows.
And truthfully, linux (and open source community in general) needs Windows too. What else will drive innovation?
I like what I am seeing, but you just wait to see what MS does. Don’t bet the farm, yet.
“it isn’t necessarily and either or game between the two platforms.” - typo(s)?
-”It is not lock-in anymore - it’s lock-out.” That’s the best description of MS that I’ve heard in recent.
-I work for UPS. They have been running critical systems on Unix and Linux servers for quite some time. Unfortunately, it’s MS all the way on the local level- servers and all. But that seems to be slowly changing. There are some interresting trials under way to ax MS Office since it’s $355 per machine. I have also noticed that many in house apps are moving to web based systems. Almost all in house reporting apps are also solely web based as well.
-I can only imagine other enterprises are doing the same. As things move into the “cloud” (I hate that term) and apps move to the web, the OS will be insignificant. For the simple reason of cost, companies will eventually make the switch.
- Technology oriented sites gets increased traffic by addressing OpenSource/Linux.
- They will continue writing about it because it’s profitable to do so.
I completely agree with this. I run a fairly recent technology blog and the response I receive from my Linux related posts is much better than what I receive from my Windows related posts. This is off course an incentive to write more on Linux: publishers write on the topics that their audience has an interest on.
I think that Linux desktop is really starting to catch on, especially in the netbook and smartbooks fields. These devices allowed a lot of people to realize that they didn’t need a full fledged Windows computer to perform most of their computing tasks.
As far as full size computers go, I think that most of the offerings from Dell are either targeted at existing Linux users or are budget offerings. As mentioned above it is very difficult to bundle a full version of Windows with a $299 computer. I don’t think these companies see Linux as a full alternative to Windows yet but more as a niche product. That being said the situation may evolve as the niche grows!
Man, as a fan of open source in general and Linux specifically, I’d love to believe all the pronouncements here about how M$ is already inexorably crawling into oblivion… but you can’t underestimate the entrenchment extent factor. That still gives them plenty of time to ‘catch up’ (or at least be perceived as doing so).
My wife, who works in an advanced scientific field, remarked to me the other day after trying the latest version of OpenOffice that she’d still rather use M$’s suite because she’s more used to it. Also, my co-workers at a company specializing in phone systems and data networks are all eagerly anticipating Windows 7– like little kids. They dismiss the idea of Linux right off the top, saying they don’t have time to learn a whole new OS. Anecdotal examples, yeah… but I’d be very surprised if they aren’t representative of much of the mass general sentiment out there. The herd still has yet to be re-routed, and it will take a lot of cowboys to do it.
I really think we’re looking at a generational sort of shift here, the kind that takes decades to play out (as it already has). I think we’re right in the middle of it and there are at least 10 more years to go. Which is, again, plenty of time for the financial leviathan that is Microsoft to ‘get game’, as it were. Sorry guys, but I don’t think we’re anywhere near calling this one yet.
[…] the full article: www.linux-foundation.org/weblogs/jzemlin/2009/06/05/the-week-of-the-linux-desktop/ […]
@Jon. Yes, the problem I face is that, as far as I read from this article, Freedom seems not to be the goal, in fact a lot of proprietary software seems to be happily announced for GNU/Linux and acclaimed as the “good thing”.
So GNU/Linux is becoming just a different toy, but just a toy you can change with whatever seems to “look better”, will it be Win7 or whatever.
With this position we have: a) people that don’t want to change their habbit, except if imposed by M$ (i.e. M$Office 2007 interface), that are waiting for win7 b) people that are using GNU/Linux but don’t value freedom, and are going to replace it ASAP if just one problem comes that can be solved with a Win7 or whatever OS.
People like me, that do value Freedom are in the middle, wondering why people are so “stupid” and blind to stick with M$ products, and terrified by all this enthusiasm about “Nero burning rom”, “skype”, “realplayer” etc. coming to “improve” “Linux”.
I’ve just taught a university course involving a lot of computer use. I’m using linux while all students used windows. It didn’t matter for the content as the apps used are almost the same. I didn’t promote anything, I simply used what I normally do, that’s all.
What surprised me, was that at the end of the course over half of the students had turned to openoffice, I didn’t ask why I just noticed as I was coming around helping them with their work. I know this is still windows but at least it’s open source.
To me it’s a sign that given minimal exposure and free choice many will naturally turn to open source.
The Netbooks and mobile devices are just the keyholes Linux needs, and that’s what makes Microsoft really scared. A lot of people bought XP netbooks. To get W7 on it they will have to pay up. And they need a DVDreading device to get it installed.
That will leave quite a few drewling for something new. Windows 7 will demonstrate the age of XP and the users will feel geriatric. The techies will solve this, but the average Joe will not be prepared to spend the required cash. They will still be drewling for something new though. That’s the keyhole, and the answer is more USB images and increased provision of windowsbased installers.
There will be many new Linux users amongst the XP-Netbook users.
Then what?
The Netbook isn’t the only computer they use. They have a 3-4 year old PC at home - bricked by Vista or XP. The users will note that there is hardly any fuss with the now Linuxoperated Netbook. “Hey - let’s see if we can get that old bugger to work - Let’s give Linux a spin.” (ATI and Intel: Get your drivers sorted out - fast!)
I do not use a Netbook. I use a Laptop. At present I’m using the KDE 4.3 Beta 2 due to be released today. The status is that it is far more sophisticated than Windows 7 and both the DE and the Kernel matches OSX 10.5 Leopard. The foundation is there for the applications to start competing with OSX as well. KDE 4 has - despite all the noise - generated huge enthusiasm and a creative explosion amongst the application developers.
True or untrue:
Gnu/Linux has a reputation for ignoring design and usability. That is no longer the case for KDE apps. One recent story: Financial application developers are in early discussions about cooperation. For the moviemakers KdenLive actually has a great GUI, and DigiKam/K3B/QtParted++ looks good. High quality GUI’s have become important for the developers too.
I do believe that OpenOffice needs a major workover in terms of GUI and admin.
Microsoft has the muscle and they have the marketshare. But they are huge, and huge is not snappy and fast. Linux is.
I don’t know whether any of you guys have any experience in driving on snowy and icy roads in the winter? A SUV, 4 wheel drive and tyres with spikes makes a good combination for safe driving and it normally gets you there if the driver has experience with that sort of driving conditions. But SUV’s are heavy, and there must be a match between grip, gravity and driver experience.
Just now, Microsoft is a big SUV. It’s winter and the roads are icy. They got fairly good tyres. But the spikes are worn, and the driver has no experience with winther roads.
It’s a slippy slope, and the weight won’t help. At all.
Two things to point out about “Windows will be around for ages”…
MS may be the 800lb gorilla, but linux is the shoal of piranhas. We may have a few sharks in RH, SuSE et al, but there really is no point in MS trying to take any linux players out. Like there’s no point to a gorilla trying to take out a few piranhas
And secondly, MS probably has worse things to worry about than piranhas. Like wolves. The more linux forces MS’s margins down, the harder it will be for MS to keep Wall Street happy. The result could well be - shall we say - “interesting”.
I’m looking forward to the show. The piranhas are eating MS’ lunch. Once the wolves see that, MS will be lunch.
Cheers,
Wol
i loved all the linux distros i’ve installed on my laptop before. but i require internet explorer to specific applications i use so i stick with windows. though i still use linux on my other machine.
Why all this hoopla about Moblin?? Whoever had a chance to play with the Beta could tell that this is indeed the most dumbed down version of Linux there is to date. Moblin is for impbeciles. I would much rather run Windows 7 and Ubuntu Remix than this piece of garbage - Moblin.