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Is 2021 the Year of the Linux Desktop?

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Re: Is 2021 the Year of the Linux Desktop?

#3

Post by sneak »

I think "Linux Desktop" means something other than "a computer running the Linux kernel that runs desktop applications".

ChromeOS is as much a Linux computer as is a Tesla automobile. Sure, there's a linux kernel down in there somewhere, but it's not the thing we mean when we say "Linux Desktop".

Re: Is 2021 the Year of the Linux Desktop?

#5

Post by Darmody »

sneak wrote: post #3

I think "Linux Desktop" means something other than "a computer running the Linux kernel that runs desktop applications". ChromeOS is as much a Linux computer as is a Tesla automobile. Sure, there's a linux kernel down in there somewhere, but it's not the thing we mean when we say "Linux Desktop".

Linux Desktop means Linux being a good Windows alternative on your computer.

Re: Is 2021 the Year of the Linux Desktop?

#6

Post by sneak »

Darmody wrote: post #5
sneak wrote: post #3

I think "Linux Desktop" means something other than "a computer running the Linux kernel that runs desktop applications". ChromeOS is as much a Linux computer as is a Tesla automobile. Sure, there's a linux kernel down in there somewhere, but it's not the thing we mean when we say "Linux Desktop".

Linux Desktop means Linux being a good Windows alternative on your computer.

Interesting sidenote: both ChromeOS devices and iOS devices (and, to some extent, macs), as well as all consoles, are sold as single bundled hardware+software integrated products.

There's very little computing done where the hardware is not designed with the software in mind and vice versa.

The days of "software x running on hardware platform y" might be behind us for the majority of the planet's population.

Re: Is 2021 the Year of the Linux Desktop?

#7

Post by nickjj »

everdrive wrote: post #4

If Linux ever really gained mainstream appeal (say 40-60% adoption) it would be ruined by many of the pressures which ruined most mainstream operating systems. I think we’re far better off with Linux at 1% or so.

> it would be ruined by many of the pressures which ruined most mainstream operating systems

I think Linux is different than other operating systems because if something goes mainstream that you don't like you have tons of viable options. With each component of the OS being tweakable you can choose opinions that others have made or forge your own path.

For example if you don't like whatever the latest window manager is you can pretty easily replace it with i3, bspwm or any other window manager that you prefer. Want a different desktop environment? Great, there's plenty of them. Prefer the ethos or core values of one distro over another? Sounds good, I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Re: Is 2021 the Year of the Linux Desktop?

#9

Post by quantumsolace »

sneak wrote: post #6
Darmody wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Linux Desktop means Linux being a good Windows alternative on your computer.

Interesting sidenote: both ChromeOS devices and iOS devices (and, to some extent, macs), as well as all consoles, are sold as single bundled hardware+software integrated products. There's very little computing done where the hardware is not designed with the software in mind and vice versa. The days of "software x running on hardware platform y" might be behind us for the majority of the planet's population.

Already is. There must be more smartphones and tablet users than personal computer users in the world. Simply because a person who use a PC but doesn't have a smartphone (hyper nerds like Stallman, or ppl who have very particular jobs that give them the freedom not to have a smartphone) are outnumbered by those who have a tablet or smartphone but not a PC (my 94 year old grandma)
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