If only...

[Stormy Eyes]

I see a lot of threads and comments here and elsewhere that share a common sentiment: "If only there were more games for Linux...", or "If only you could download EXEs for Linux like you can for Windows...", or "If only Linux came preinstalled..." There are a lot of people who think that all the people who haven't adopted Linux yet are waiting for some magical feature or killer app.

I have my doubts. I got into Linux back in 1999, when both KDE and GNOME were version 1.x. I didn't have a forum to help me; I didn't have reliable internet access. I had a PC, a copy of Red Hat 5.2, and a secondhand copy of Running Linux. The applications were crap compared to those available for Linux today. The functionality was crap, and hardware detection was a joke.

I didn't let Linux's limitations stop me. I didn't let the lack of games stop me. I didn't let the lack of support stop me. I didn't let the fact that most Linux software was rough and poorly documented stop me. I persevered, adapted to the system, and bent it to my will.

I'll admit that I'm bragging a little, but I think that waiting for a magical feature or a killer app to suddenly open the floodgates and cause a mass conversion towards Linux is not only futile, but counterproductive. There's very little that is revolutionary about Linux. Even OSS isn't revolutionary; it's just the scientific method applied to software development. Instead, Linux development is evolutionary, just like life.

Stop waiting for the revolution. It will never come. Stop hoping for a mass conversion. It won't happen. Instead, what will happen is what has been happening for years: those who want to use Linux will find a way to do so, and they will let nothing stop them.

Focus on and help those who won't be stopped, and be kind to the dabblers. Take it slow and take it easy, Linux has already come a hell of a long way since 1999. I should know; I've been a user that long, and still am.

[OffHand]

What exactly is your point?

[ComplexNumber]

What exactly is your point?

making people see linux in a more realistic perspective for those people that don't, i imagine.

[fuscia]

btw, how's your macbook?

[RAV TUX]

btw, how's your macbook?

I read an article, about a study of how you can optimize your Macbook by utilizing Yellow Dog Linux.

[awakatanka]

Time changes , so does demands.

[BWF89]

Yeah, Linux has never seen a mass migration of people and never will.

[tseliot]

I see a lot of threads and comments here and elsewhere that share a common sentiment: "If only there were more games for Linux...", or "If only you could download EXEs for Linux like you can for Windows...", or "If only Linux came preinstalled..." There are a lot of people who think that all the people who haven't adopted Linux yet are waiting for some magical feature or killer app.

I have my doubts. I got into Linux back in 1999, when both KDE and GNOME were version 1.x. I didn't have a forum to help me; I didn't have reliable internet access. I had a PC, a copy of Red Hat 5.2, and a secondhand copy of Running Linux. The applications were crap compared to those available for Linux today. The functionality was crap, and hardware detection was a joke.

I didn't let Linux's limitations stop me. I didn't let the lack of games stop me. I didn't let the lack of support stop me. I didn't let the fact that most Linux software was rough and poorly documented stop me. I persevered, adapted to the system, and bent it to my will.

You're definitely not the average Joe, aren't you?

I see your point though.

I'll admit that I'm bragging a little, but I think that waiting for a magical feature or a killer app to suddenly open the floodgates and cause a mass conversion towards Linux is not only futile, but counterproductive. There's very little that is revolutionary about Linux. Even OSS isn't revolutionary; it's just the scientific method applied to software development. Instead, Linux development is evolutionary, just like life.

Stop waiting for the revolution. It will never come. Stop hoping for a mass conversion. It won't happen. Instead, what will happen is what has been happening for years: those who want to use Linux will find a way to do so, and they will let nothing stop them.

Focus on and help those who won't be stopped, and be kind to the dabblers. Take it slow and take it easy, Linux has already come a hell of a long way since 1999. I should know; I've been a user that long, and still am.

Here I do 100% agree with you. GNU/Linux is evolving and it's good to see how well it's growing up.

[Carrots171]

There won't be a massive migration towards Linux. Instead, Linux will grow, improve, and evolve. I'm not hoping for some kind of revolution or "year of the Linux desktop". I just hope (and I believe) that over time, Linux will gain the recognition that Mac has now - an alternative OS that's not just for computer nerds and specialists.

[Stormy Eyes]

What exactly is your point?

I'm supposed to have a point when I'm drunk? Seriously: I'm just tired of all the people speculating on what Linux "needs" to "be ready for the desktop".