> As far as Linux taking over on the desktop, no, I don't think its going to
> happen. Its been "This is the year that Linux takes over on the desktop!"
> for at least 14 years now. I could write a 10 volume epic on why I think
> this is, starting with too much fracturing, egos, and infighting within the
> Linux community. This is the group of people that for the first 5 years of
> its existence the biggest focus within the community was do we pronounce it
> lie-nucks, lee-nucks or lin-ucks.
I remember the disagreements about that. It didn't end until an audio
file was distributed with Linus providing his pronunciation.
I think a big part of the push toward Linux could be done by the
younger crowd. They're young, have little money, and too many other
reasons to spend the money on other things. They love ways to save
money, and they love free things.
The earlier we get new users the better. If they get familiar with
Linux, and with the concept of so much software being freely
available, they'll be less likely to want to fork out hard-earned
money when they can do the same things for free.
My 16 year old niece uses Linux (and has for 2-3 years or so) and
advocates Linux. There's a crowd of kids at her school using it, and
there are more that would like to install it if their parents let
them.
While Linux continues to work on older lines of hardware, it remains a
better option for young people than continually upgrading Windows.
While Windows is pushed heavily at the college level, if Linux gets a
root in the community earlier then the students will start demanding
Linux instead.
The only reason for kids to use Windows is to play commercial games,
and games tend to work more reliably on consoles. (I've had games stop
working after Windows upgrades.) Thus there's no reason to use Windows
to play games.
Cheers,
Steven Black
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