Linux On The Desktop
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Computers Technology -> subcategory Web Development.
Linux on the Desktop
Exploring Linux as a Desktop Operating System
Summary:
Linux, an open-source operating system developed by Finnish engineer Linus Torvalds, offers users the freedom to explore and modify its code, thanks to its release under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Although Linux has undergone significant development, it has not surpassed the popularity of Microsoft's Windows in the consumer and small business markets, primarily dominated by desktop computers.
Keywords:
website hosting, Linux, desktop, operating system, business, market
Article Body:
Linux, the open-source operating system originally crafted by Linus Torvalds, was made available under the GNU General Public License. This license allows anyone interested in working with Linux the freedom to do so. Despite its evolution over the years, Linux has not yet overtaken Microsoft Windows in popularity among consumers and small businesses, where desktop computers reign supreme.
Although its impact on desktop sales is limited, Linux has excelled in the server and database sectors. Companies like Sun, IBM, and HP have embraced Linux for their server offerings. Novell and Red Hat, two prominent software vendors, have developed their own versions of Linux, transforming it into proprietary solutions by enhancing it with software packages to meet diverse needs.
While Linux powers some cell phones and personal computers, Red Hat and Novell primarily compete in the "enterprise space." This sector focuses on connecting business users to databases. Recently, Red Hat announced plans to enter the "business desktop" market. Their strategy aims to reach small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and emerging markets. As Red Hat states, "This will be a more comprehensive offering to bring the desktop to a wider audience."
Novell, on the other hand, claims to have already achieved what Red Hat envisions. They argue that Red Hat's focus on desktop functionality is merely an expansion of existing business functions. A Red Hat spokesperson acknowledges, "We have no plans to sell this offering in stores like Best Buy... The distribution will be primarily online through a Red Hat Network subscription, which we believe is the future."
How do home users perceive Linux? Many who blog about their experiences praise it as the best operating system available but admit it's not quite ready for universal use. The main barrier is the lack of support for many software applications and peripherals. One tech enthusiast who uses Linux, Windows Vista, and XP finds Linux excellent for browsing but notes challenges with tasks like connecting a printer to a Linux PC.
He further explains, "If you're used to watching DVDs or playing Windows Media or QuickTime files, you'll face challenges. Many Linux distributions don't include this functionality by default because the necessary codecs, like those for Windows Media, aren't free and can be illegal in some instances. The same goes for MP3s, which are very popular for audio files."
Linux is a powerful operating system, but its plug-and-play capabilities for home use are still developing. For now, Red Hat and Novell remain focused on expanding their business-oriented products and have no immediate plans to target the home consumer market.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Linux On The Desktop .
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