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March 30, 2009

With the Linux operating system, each alpha, beta, RC bulletin alert or even the smallest modifications or upgrades are passed along through thousands of hands before they ever get anywhere near an end user. Each line of code is carefully evaluated and every aspect of the OS is closely considered.

Linux is in a constant state of flux, and today it now probably enjoys the most deciples when compared to other operating systems.

For most intents and purposes, open-source may be built on cooperation, but that doesn’t equate to a lack of competition. There are dozens of desktop environments such as Gnome and KDE being developed and tested constantly, and yet only one will ever make it into a final Linux release.

But that doesn’t mean it will stay there either... It’s the same with the bundled utilities, office packages, codecs and display drivers, even the notification system. Under the hood resides a host of file systems and codec packages to select from.

A component only makes it into the final release if it’s hassle free because there’s always something to replace it with. And the Linux community is well aware of that.

Assuming the average end user knows nothing about computers and you display Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.04 before them, they’ll choose the prettiest one. Right?

If you explain that with Ubuntu you get a fully featured Office Suite, the fastest OS and essentially an immunuty to viruses out of the box, they’ll probably still pick the prettiest one... (!)

Make Ubuntu beautiful and suddenly the balance tips to the other side, and very fast. Computer users are usually very finicky...

To be sure, putting together a Linux OS is a process of natural selection dedicated to creating the best possible combination of code. Where this has failed in the past is in “the pretty”. People who spend hundreds of hours typing code aren’t typically known for their aesthetic sense, and while they’re brilliant at coding shiny new effects there’s nobody taking charge of the overall look so that each aspect hangs together in a pleasing way.

Linux-based operating systems have always been utilitarian packages. But it dosen't have to stay that way.

All of this assumes that Linux is actually competing with other operating systems that are hassle free. From the very beginning, Microsoft's Vista OS was plagued by many compatibility problems and while pundits argue that Apple’s OS X is the operating system Linux wants to grow up to become, they’re missing the point that it’s the most niche of all, and thus the antitheses of what Linux is evolving into.

It’s not that it will hinder Linux’s surge into the mainstream. In the long term it’s the lack of a message that’s going to be the biggest problem. Linux thrives on its distributed developer base, but this means there’s a lot of voices rattling about, each with its very own agenda.

If Linux is to win the OS war, it needs just one voice explaining the benefits. Linux has many selling points, it needs to pick one or two and hammer them to retailers and PC makers. They want support, they want flair, and they want something they can easily explain to customers.

Linux fits just one of these criteria so far.

All of the major Linux distributions today have extensive device support, will work across lots of hardware and are very well suited for dozens of various tasks, unlike Mac's OS X.

There’s still obviously a lot more work to be done and it has to be done real soon.

The battle for the desktop OS is still being fought hard and Linux has enough weapons to have its way. It needs a consistent and unified voice though, or it will be doomed to watch inferior operating systems fighting it out amongst themselves.

Source: IDC.

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