What's Linux For
Posted on May 26, 2011I've been a keen Linux user for a couple of years now. Like many people, my introduction into the Linux world was with Ubuntu. I've played around with many distros, but on my main computer at home I've mostly stuck with Ubuntu.
In the beginning I'd upgrade to each next version, but more recently I've just done a clean install each time and set up things afresh.
On the whole I've really enjoyed working on Ubuntu. But I've had a lot of issues with the new release, 11.04. I'm still running it on my main desktop computer, but no longer on my Laptop.
But I don't think that the "Natty Narwhal" is a bad thing. Linux, as a whole, enjoys the chance to be a little adventurous, to do things that the more commercial operating systems can't do.
Ubuntu 11.04 is a departure from what they've done in the past in a rather drastic way. I'm sure that it has upset some Ubuntu users and maybe put off some people who potentially would have started using Linux. Who knows.
But I don't think that matters. By putting something out there that's different and in big need of fixing and a few good ideas, they're moving thing forward. Given the large community of developers and enthusiasts, I'm sure there is going to be some interesting development taking place with the Ubuntu desktop in the next couple of years.
But this move has received a great deal of criticism recently. So my question is, why is it wrong - or rather, what's Linux for anyway?
I feel like there are two main camps in the Linux world. There are the old console addicted hackers who compile their own kernels. They don't feel that Linux should be for everyone and wouldn't be caught dead with an Ubuntu desktop.
On the other hand one has the new young generation who are enthusiasts and use Linux much the way others use Windows OS. But the are very enthusiastic about Linux and open source software. And they're on a mission, to a greater or lesser extent, to win over the hearts and hard-drives of the Windows/Mac users worldwide.
With these two camps in mind, the Unity desktop of Ubuntu 11.04 has problems for both camps. But I feel there is a middle ground.
Linux doesn't have to be about winning everyone else over to open software and saving the world and it isn't just the domain of the emacs and console hackers. Linux, as free and open source, is the perfect platform to innovate and experiment.&nbps; Who cares who we win over, what matters most is that we have something interesting that keeps pushing the bondaries of how people use computers.
