Pointer: blog post, "RANT: Is the Linux dream a myth?"

[blnchflr]

I came across this blog post in the openSUSE forums: RANT: Is the Linux dream a myth?

I've met a few characters that are living the Linux dream or at least claiming to. But here's the rub... is there anyone who's exclusively using it? I don't mean "I've got Linux installed on my USB stick" or "I dual boot". Is there anyone who is actually using Linux as there sole operating system. Booting into everyday to check their email, write their documents, develop their code, surf the web and yes.. play their games. I fear there is not.

Having used Linux exclusively for almost a year, and knowing people who've been Linux-exclusive for longer than that, not to mention MAC USERS, the author seems naive or sheltered. Which surprises me, as he's a coder - apparently I'm prejudiced about coders :o)

Comments

[blnchflr]

I don't get the impression they're chasing the money - more that they think you can't do it any other way, *hands*.

[dragonwolf]

Two words: "vendor lock-in."

I don't know about business level (and this might be getting better, since Dell theoretically sells computers with Linux), but I know as a consumer, finding computers that come from the OEM with Linux on them is a pain (and, from what I've been able to find, more expensive for some stupid reason). That means that they'll come with Windows, and, of course, the easiest way to network Windows computers is on a Windows-based (Active Directory) network (plus, you get support from the software vendor). Then, that gets you into MS Office, so you can have Outlook (to go with the Outlook Web Access). ....And, before you know it, you're stuck with them for X number of years, renewing every time you get new Windows computers (and, like cell phone contracts, you're bound to need to upgrade before said contract runs out).

Ironically, free market kind of works against the Enterprise Level Open Source industry, because there are almost too many options for support for a given piece of open source software, and it becomes daunting to IT departments (or, probably more accurately, the tech-illiterate suits that govern them). Plus, you have to retrain everyone if you're switching, which companies don't like to do. The bitter irony to that was/is the need to retrain people for Vista/7 and MS Office 2007.

One nice thing, though, is that a lot of small government departments are integrating open source software into their businesses (the ODF became the standard doc format in some states in the US, and other countries are looking at using OSS in general)...unless someone does something like this

[blnchflr]

I'm behind on comments - thanks for the explanation :o)