Mu systems are too old to swll so I donate them to non-profits or give them to seniors myself.
]]>As far as machines and OS's, I have only a single desktop, linux 90% of the time unless I wanna play games, then Windows 10. I have 5 laptops, all have linux on them, 1 also has Windows for gaming only. Technically I have 6, but 1 is being sold on Ebay as I see no reason in keeping it as it's nearly identical to another one I have, so it's got Windows back on it to help with selling it.
]]>A surge in my opinion is any improvement at a rate substancialy better than the standard quo. That leaves a lot of room as to what surge would be and is that a 1% change or a 3% or better change?
Locally in my area ive seen a surge where a much larger number of people are using Linux and its noticeable.
Right now ive got 10 desktops with three that have Windows on them, 6 with Linux and one test system thats got a lot of various OS.
7 laptops and only 2 have Windows the rest Linux.
I cannot see a time where i would rely on a M$ operating system for daily use again, but I have been using Linux for some years now and understand it pro's and con's and can usually work around them with a little bash or python, but that is more than most users would want to have to learn. I can understand their logic, but I don't mind learning a few new tricks to make me far more productive, there's nothing I can think of that would be quicker on a M$ system.
I don't see any reason Linux use will "surge" but I think it will probably build slowly and surely year on year and one day who knows it could become as popular (in number) as the "major players".
]]>Apple users, Ive seen many switch over to Windows and some predict Linux will overcome OS X in usage in a few years. Its slow and steady but even this level of activity surprised me and Ive been in this market since 1975.
]]>I doubt Mac users would swap, and many Windows users won't since they need compatibility at an application level with things like Word and Excel. The theory is that Libre Office can provide that, but for anything much more than basic docs/ss's the risk of having a big or complex document blow up on you half way through creation/editing, or have formatting differences, for me is very real. And the user interface changes have a significant impact - people hated the move from Office 2003 to 2007 and the introduction of the Ribbon. Office to Libre Office is quite a change and whilst there are similarities to the old Office 2003 interface, I think folk have now got used to the ribbon.
What I think would help is if significant corporate users migrated (NHS? ). For example I only went to Win7 from XP once I saw the corporate world were doing it, and had used it myself and hence became comfortable (but then I am the opposite of an early adopter - through bitter experience). If my employer switched to Linux and I used it and got fully used to it and comfortable, and all the tools were there, then I would. It's to do with familiarity and being not "the unknown". The average user is not an expert and wants it to just work and not to have to fiddle - at all. I'm fine with computers generally and have worked professionally in systems support for real time control systems but Linux is still a fair bit of a learning curve for me and I get frustrated now an them. The average user has to have a 100% successful experience, which I don't think is realistically on offer yet.
With Linux (Q4OS/Ubuntu/Lubuntu/Xubuntu/Mint) I like:
- it "just works" (most of the time!)
- the easy start of the wireless network on system build (even W7 isn't that good on that, no experience with WX)
- easy printer install
- that the GUI interface is familiar, isn't complex and doesn't have waste of space ideas like "charms"
- the program installer (Synaptic - though the Q4OS one is better, though fewer programs) (don't ever call it an "App store")
- the updater is more friendly than Win & Apple
- it's more secure
- it's got Firefox & Thunderbird as virtually standard/easily available (but then I settled on these on Windoze many years ago)
What I think would need to change for larger scale usage:
- some serious marketing
- cut the punter-confusion of the huge number of distros and desktops
- narrowing the terminology a lot (like, the man in the street will ask what has Debian got to do with Linux? Also for many *many* other terms)
- not have to resort to CLI ("ever" or as near as)
- have the main hardware suppliers offer it bundled (e.g. Dell do offer Ubuntu)
- actually reduce the huge number of offerings in Synaptic, or at least make navigating the options easier and what each program does more obvious
- have a support system as good as Q4OS's
All I can say ---- is watch this space.
What has happened is of course that the underlying technology has become almost universal, which is a good thing.
My wife uses a laptop with a homebrew mix of xfce and lxde based on Lubuntu. That laptop is reaching end of life and will be replaced, but right now that replacement looks like being a Chromebook. Why? Well it is an appliance, if it dies and is replaced a new one will just carry on....may even get a big one myself - plus Crouton running Q4OS of course.
]]>10 years ago - who would have predicted the rise of the iOS & Android systems for mobile devices ?
I love linux and have been a Linux user for over 15 years.
But Linux is at something of a cross-road.
Its no longer the only 'free' operating system on the market.
Android is starting to get a foothold in the PC - Desktop - Laptop world.
Systems like Android X86, PhoenixOS & RemixOS are all early contenders.
I've tried them all & in my impression - they represent a growing trend that may change the Linux landscape significantly.
All I can say ---- is watch this space.
Q
]]>It creates to much fear and uncertainty and Ive actually heard remarks to that effect from companies in my area who are looking at Linux instead.
Im hoping by 2020 that Win 10 will clean up its act and maybe Ill consider using it for gaming down the road. I do more retrogaming work these days so Im not desperate to move to Win 10.
]]>