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Is the Linux Desktop actually growing?
ZDNet ^ | 18 January 2012 | Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Posted on 01/20/2012 4:43:17 AM PST by ShadowAce

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To: ShadowAce

I have no problem with it either, as long as it is a choice and not forced. What they’ve done here is remove the current choice (Gnome 2) and forceus to choose between two radically different new paradigms.


21 posted on 01/20/2012 6:16:43 AM PST by perfect_rovian_storm
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To: Johnny B.
I started using Linux in the early 90s. I ran JNOS on a 3.5 in floppy. I have used one distro or another on at least one machine ever sense. I currently run SUSE 11 on my laptop and SUSE 12 on an old desktop. I don't have much use for Micro$oft or Apple OS any more. My wife still runs windows (her laptop came with it and it is still stable) but the kids are migrating to Linux after they use my computer.
22 posted on 01/20/2012 6:19:16 AM PST by DYngbld (I have read the back of the Book and we WIN!!!!)
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To: wastedyears

I’m not sure why your friend said this but I don’t think it is the case. To those who haven’t tried Linux, you can download one of the distros, burn it to dvd and boot your computer from the dvd. It lets you use the software without reformatting and installing it on your harddrive. Try Linux Mint, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Mepis, etc... they are called distros. I download them as .ISO files and burn to dvd. I hooked my laptop up to the flatscreen tv, booted into Linux, it automatically loaded the right drivers to display the laptop on the tv screen. I then booted into Windows, it took me a few minutes to get the right settings to make the laptop display on the tv.

Jfls45

Linux has


23 posted on 01/20/2012 6:28:27 AM PST by jfls45
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To: perfect_rovian_storm
I have no problem with it either, as long as it is a choice and not forced.

That's the beauty of Linux--nothing is forced. You always have a choice--even if that means moving to a different distro.

24 posted on 01/20/2012 6:29:20 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: MrEdd

Bingo!

Linux will never be a big desktop OS on PCs. Windows and Apple will be the dominant PC OS.

However, as we’re move away from PCs to other devices (tables, phones, etc...) Linux will be a major player, but I’m not sure most users will even know it.

Android is just a flavor of Linux.
Most non-apple tablets run some version of Linux.
The Nook is a Linux device.
The Kindle runs Linux as its Os.

My guess is Linux will eventually become huge as a personal operating system, just not on the PC (and most people will never even know they are running Linux).


25 posted on 01/20/2012 6:58:04 AM PST by Brookhaven (Mitt Romney has been consistent since he changed his mind.)
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To: Brookhaven

I think its going to move up from tablets to the desktop. With many functions moving to the Cloud it is not really relevant what you run on the desktop anyway.


26 posted on 01/20/2012 8:08:43 AM PST by desertfreedom765
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To: sayuncledave

Downloaded it and burned to DVD. Booted it. Ha! Same ol’, same ol’. It boots and a note appears there’s a wireless network available, I should go to Network to configure. But Network gives no intuitive, sensible method of discovering a wireless network let alone configuring one.

I’ve tried several distros including Ubuntu, Mint, etc. and they’re all the same. Trying to set up a wireless network is absurd for the casual user.

I’ve basically had it with Linux. It’s created by geeks, with little intuitive knowledge into the everyday computer user. Windows may have its faults, but it’s easy for the average Joe to understand. Linux will never, ever, get there based on the same ol’ way of thinking.


27 posted on 01/20/2012 8:51:39 AM PST by bcsco
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To: bcsco
Try this. It's really, really easy if Ubuntu has gotten to the point of discovering wireless networks.

1. Ensure that your wireless device is turned on.
2. Click the Network Manager icon in the system notification area.
3. Under Wireless Networks click on the network you want to connect to.

28 posted on 01/20/2012 4:47:48 PM PST by whd23 (Every time a link is de-blogged an angel gets its wings.)
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To: martin_fierro; Ernest_at_the_Beach

I’ve been able to install it successfully (with some odd quirks) just once, a number of attempts, a number of flavors, a number of CPUs. The main impediment to wider use of Linux is the cliqueishness of its users and developers. In part that’s a consequence of the complete lack of a market incentive (because it’s free). In order to install it on an eMac I use, turns out I’ll have to empty out the data on the hard drive (which isn’t large by today’s standards) but I’m in no hurry, because I have no idea what the next barrier to installation will be.


29 posted on 01/29/2012 7:11:29 PM PST by SunkenCiv (FReep this FReepathon!)
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To: SunkenCiv; Ernest_at_the_Beach
I have no idea what the next barrier to installation will be.

In my experience it'll be getting Xorg to work with the video card -- though that may not be an issue with Macs as their hardware is much more uniform/predictable than PCs.

30 posted on 01/29/2012 7:50:47 PM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: martin_fierro

Xorg! Oh, sorry.


31 posted on 01/29/2012 8:15:02 PM PST by SunkenCiv (FReep this FReepathon!)
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