The Linux Desktop Myth
,----[ Quote ]
| ...according to the myth, there are hundreds of millions of Windows users
| out there (and some Mac users as well) desperately waiting for Linux to
| match their current operating systems feature for feature, and when that
| happens, they will all download a disk image, burn the Linux CD, install
| and configure the operating system themselves, and then ditch their
| current operating system for a Linux distribution.
|
| In order to understand what's stopping masses of people migrating from
| Windows to Linux, we need to examine what makes people go to Windows in
| the first place, and also debunk some of the "Linux isn't ready"
| propaganda that could just as easily apply to Mac as well... after all,
| no one says Mac isn't ready for the desktop.
|
| Why do they choose Windows?
|
| Well, the answer is obvious--they don't. With few exceptions, everyone I
| know who uses Windows uses it because they've always used Windows
| (inertia), because they feel they can't afford a Mac (money), and because
| the non-Mac PC they buy comes with Windows on it.
|
| Buying a computer with the operating system already installed and
| configured takes care of many of the obstacles to Linux adoption...
|
| [...]
|
| Usability does play a role
|
| There are a lot of misconceptions about usability in operating systems.
| First of all, an intuitive interface is a nice thing to have, but it's
| also highly overrated. After all, it's not intuitive to access the Start
| menu (indicating a beginning) in order to shut down (an end), but Windows
| users get used to this easily. It's not intuitive to drag a USB drive to
| the trash (which usually erases files) in order to eject it, but Mac users
| get used to this. Every operating system has its own quirks.
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http://www.psychocats.net/essays/linuxdesktopmyth
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