[D] Linux fueling the next big consumer 'desktop' revolution

Posted by Coptician on November 1, 2011 03:53 pm 18

My first go at Linux was Red Hat. I forget which version it was, but I was toying around with my computer and I managed to actually install the (back then) relatively complicated operating system when I was 12 or so (I'm 21 now). It installed perfectly, and then I forgot the password I has chosen at the setup. It's not a normal mistake, it's really silly, but I dropped Linux for the time being.

I tried it a lot more times over the years, and watched things steadily improve over time. By now, Linux is no longer automatically targeted at just the prosumer guys, the hackers, the misfits (those who think more complicated ;)). It's a reasonable OS and while I've not used it since about 9.10, I know it's still a good system.

But I know that. And you and the rest of the Linux lounge visitors know that. But the general public doesn't.

I know I'm asking in a forum with a bit of a fanboy-ish concept, but I want you to tell how you can see and even if you can see Linux fueling the next consumer 'desktop' (computers, which'll be mostly laptops I imagine - or not?!) or mainstream devices. I want to hear your vision in what Linux has to do in order to get the major attention that the project deserves. It's one of the biggest success stories of user generated 'content' in my opinion, it deserves mention.

So, Linux has always been considered for geeks. It's no longer quite as hard to install, and while troubleshooting this OS is a pain still (the Terminal is not friendly, per example), is has a few concepts that make it into what could become a great competitor to the established market of Macs and PC's. But it needs more than being good to really become viable, in my opinion.

Linux needs to become cool. It needs to get put on a small number of cool devices. It needs to be marketed with a name, perhaps Linux, perhaps not (I know Android is a Linux-based OS, but it's for mobile), and it needs to be made interesting to consumers. And I think it needs some organization - not for profit perhaps - that actively steers and guides Linux, markets it, and keeps it under control, for Linux to make a dent in the 'desktop' market. That's what I think.

And this is what's wrong with Linux: http://www.google.nl/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=linux&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=nl&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=1261&sei=%20hk2wTsO6OZGl-gbJz4y2Ag

Tux needs to go. He needs to die. He's cute and I love him but he needs to die. We need something that looks professional and serious and not a logo that looks like this. It's telling that I had no pretty picture to start this post with. Ubuntu's logo is a good example, but this is not just about Ubuntu.

But I'm more interested in your opinions. So talk, and let's hear how badly you disagree with me ;).