How Linux Can Win (or Lose)

Linux is at a turning point in it’s short (but eventful) history. Ubuntu, Linspire, and other easy to use operating systems are making it possible for the average end-user to install and use free Linux-based operating systems. Proponents of the open source software movement and the general mish-mash of the crowdsource are adding fuel to the fire with more advertising, major manufactures shipping Linux preinstalled on some desktops, and there was even a billboard advertising Ubuntu in New Jersey. Everything seems to be going well, but there are quite a few potholes to fill on this road.

One major problem with Linux is that there is no general public-friendly tech support system over the phone that anybody can use for free. For one, if Linux is going to even start thinking about penetrating the general end-user desktop market, then companies such as Canonical need to start moving support off of forums and onto the phone. It may seem like a step backward, but most non-techie people won’t try and bother with registering at a forum or looking through a tech-babble troubleshooting booklet.

The first thing you see when you turn on a computer configured to dual boot between a Linux-based operating system and Windows is generally Grub. REDESIGN IT! I cannot say in words or emotions on how non-user friendly this boot loader is. No matter how simple, quick loading, or headache-inducing, Grub will not cut it for the soccer moms and day traders needed to shift market shares in Linux’s direction.