Desktop Linux finally ready to replace Microsoft Windows?

[manasia]

Jimmy here is one example of a Mission Critical Linux Implementation

http://www.novell.com/news/press/2011/4/walgreens-improves-server-uptime-by-more-than-5-percent-and-saves-millions-in-it-costs-with-suse-linux-enterprise-serve.html

[Jimmy]

Jimmy, Linux runs actual mission critical servers. OSX is the toy.

That's pretty funny.

[Lunican]

Do air traffic controllers use OSX with apps from the app store? lol.

Regardless, the whole point of the initial post was that I found the latest version of Ubuntu to trouble free, unlike in the past. Then everyone tells me how they used it in the past and it was troublesome.

[Dog Walker]

But Jimmy, Ubuntu is FREE!  So are all the other software programs that come with it.  Apples are beautiful and functional, but EXPENSIVE.

In my experience, you get what you pay for.  When it comes to something as mission-critical to my work as my computing platform, I'm not going to put much assurance in the hands of hobbyists.  As a hobbyist myself, I've enjoyed tinkering with various Linux distros over the years.  But there comes a point when you're tired of tinkering with the Hyundai in your backyard and buy the BMW or Benz.

Good analogy, Jimmy, but you've got it backwards.  Hyundai actually has better reliability than M-B's.  I was a M-B exclusive driver for nearly thirty years but got rid of my last one a couple of years ago after it dropped me on the side of the road for the third time.  Friend with an S class had his in the shop for four months out of the six months he owned it.  Drives the big, long Lexus now.

[Lunican]

Interesting line from the end user license agreement of OSX:

THE APPLE SOFTWARE IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES OR OTHER EQUIPMENT IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF THE APPLE SOFTWARE COULD LEAD TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/MacOSX.htm

[Jimmy]

Gotta love the lawyers. 

[BridgeTroll]

I don't think it is going to unseat Microsoft in the corporate desktop world for various reasons, but for home use and small businesses it is ready. I think it is especially helpful for small businesses that can save a lot of money forgoing the costs of Windows and Office.

Why is that Dan?  You mention various reasons.  I think those reasons are very important.  Home users and small business users will use what they are used to... what they are familiar with... what "everyone" interacts with.  There are many reasons that much of the world uses MS products despite the price.  If the linux product is nearly equal to MS... then free ought to bring a much greater share of the market... yet it does not.

So... those various reasons are important.

[Lunican]

The various reasons are all related to corporate politics. The guy that decides to change to Linux desktops is exposing his career to risk if anything should go wrong. Sticking with Windows is the safest career move.

[BridgeTroll]

Hmm... wasnt expecting that!  I just assumed some kind of compatability/use ability issues.

[manasia]

The various reasons are all related to corporate politics. The guy that decides to change to Linux desktops is exposing his career to risk if anything should go wrong. Sticking with Windows is the safest career move.

That is defintely a good reason, but in defense of the corporation. Do you know how time consuming it would be to actually try to retrain users on a new operating system, depending upon the company size. Their is a long term ROI risk, with the usability, and productivity pitfalls, that could come with such a drastic change.

I think the way to implement, is to slowly do a migration from department to department, prioritizing, by usability and productivity. But before doing so gathering the proper business requirements of users, so that you can tailor the Open Source Desktop Migration to their needs.

It can be done, just with a lil work.

[Lunican]

Yep. It is a lot of effort that most corporations can't justify. It's not that Linux isn't ready, its that change is difficult, expensive, and risky.

[Dog Walker]

Years ago there was a saying in IT departments, "You can never be fired for recommending IBM."  Changing a huge installed base takes a lot of time.

[manasia]

Years ago there was a saying in IT departments, "You can never be fired for recommending IBM."  Changing a huge installed base takes a lot of time.

Indeed.

[Lucasjj]

I just stumbled across this article on Business Insider.

Microsoft apparently doesn't think Linux is much of a threat anymore in the desktop world. In it's latest annual filings it removed the wording that says it faces competition from Linux in the desktop arena. It still mentions them when speaking of servers and embedded software though.

http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-downgrades-linux-to-threat-level-green-2011-8

[manasia]

I just stumbled across this article on Business Insider.

Microsoft apparently doesn't think Linux is much of a threat anymore in the desktop world. In it's latest annual filings it removed the wording that says it faces competition from Linux in the desktop arena. It still mentions them when speaking of servers and embedded software though.

http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-downgrades-linux-to-threat-level-green-2011-8

Not Surprising more FUD on the loose.