[Sussex] Linux Heavyweights Sound Off At Summit

[Angelo Servini]

The news is still good, and Linux use continues to spread with ever greater takeup, however:

<quote>
A desktop version of Linux hasn't advanced as rapidly as the server version for a number of reasons. Microsoft's dominance in the desktop operating-system market is a big reason, but Kapor suggested another: the nature of desktop Linux development. Each component that comprises a desktop operating environment, whether the graphical interface, productivity applications, or browser, is being developed by different groups with little collaboration.
"It's not principally a technical issue," Kapor said. Rather, it's been a lack of motivation for these groups of developers to create a unified interface for users.
</quote>

The link to this: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=BR4UOVWQNBS4IQSNDBESKHA?articleID=59301210

IMHO is, its time maybe for the Open Source community to address this.  Im all for freedom of choice, but - how fast would a unified desktop advance, if ALL the desktop teams pooled their efforts?

I read a mail by someone on the ubuntu forums who sounded off to ATI for their crap support of Linux. But, who can blame them.  They perceive the Linux community as a small insignificant group and M$ is king.  They will make a wrong and uninformed choice, and pool all their efforts into supporting the majority OS, as seen by their eyes.  That is not to diss the good manufacturers like Nvidia and HP, who do go out of their way to produce quality drivers for Linux.

If the Hardware community on the other hand perceive Linux as becoming an up and coming better bet.  Then you will see them burst with activity to provide support.  Its all driven by profit.  If linux is to be king, then we need to win the Desktop battle. Thats my 2 denarius, anyhow.

"A committee is a group that keeps the minutes and loses hours - Milton Berle".

--
Angelo Servini
Programmer/Analyst
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