While I absolutely love the free and open nature of Desktop Linux, it's something that I can never stick with for longer than a couple weeks. There are several big issues I have with it that will likely never be fixed (at least without something seriously shaking consumer trust in Windows).
Firstly, I'm a student. When I am working on a project, I don't want to be messing around with Openoffice, Libre Office, or whatever else. I want to know that whatever I put down on the page in my word processor is the same exact document that will be coming up on my Professor's computer. With some of my classes, just being a line or two long or short, due to changes of how the characters are displayed on the page, can be a big deal. Microsoft Office is more or less expected in the educational world, as well as the professional world. Using another office suite, while entirely doable, just seems like one more risk and something to make sure works.
Secondly, when I'm not doing school related stuff on the computer, I'm playing games. While the gaming market is slowly becoming more inclusive of Linux, the majority of games don't support it. Yes, there are things like Wine that make games possible, I want to get the very most out of my gaming rig. Running games through emulation seems like it would be a hit to performance and perhaps response time.
Thirdly, I get Windows free. Sure, it's not opensource like Linux is, but when the pricetag is the same, why pass off on Windows? The Windows operating system is given for free through my University. Even for those who don't get free licenses, almost all new computers are sold with a copy. The only two remaining groups are people who are using old hardware, or who are building their computer from scratch. Windows 10 is free for users running Windows 7 or 8.1. What that means, is for anyone who bought (not built) a computer in the last five and a half years has the latest Windows operating system for free. Essentially the only people who don't have a free license are people who build their own computers, or have very old technology.
Essentially, the main problems I see in expanding adoption of Desktop Linux stem from two issues. First - Linux needs more developers in applications and games. Without the productivity and entertainment applications Windows and OSX users expect, users who try desktop Linux will quickly lose interest or grow frustrated. Secondly, there's an extremely small market for people who need a free operating system.
I've actually done that for awhile! The problem is, when push came to shove, I just chose Windows every time instead of Linux. I only found myself logging into Linux when I was in the mood for a challenge. Unfortunately, that was a fraction of the time compared to the time I needed to spend working on schoolwork or playing games. Ultimately, I just wipe the partition when I need the extra space every time.
It's not that I don't want to use Linux. I think it's really fun to try all the various flavors, tinker with new programs, and the like. I see myself as one of the best scenario types of possible future Desktop Linux user. Opensource is a huge deal to me, I don't have a lot of expendable income, I am really into technology, and I love exploring new and fresh operating systems and programs. The interest is definitely there - I just can't figure out a way to practically use it. At least for me and my needs, everything Linux can do; Windows can do faster and more reliably.
While I absolutely love the free and open nature of Desktop Linux, it's something that I can never stick with for longer than a couple weeks. There are several big issues I have with it that will likely never be fixed (at least without something seriously shaking consumer trust in Windows).
Firstly, I'm a student. When I am working on a project, I don't want to be messing around with Openoffice, Libre Office, or whatever else. I want to know that whatever I put down on the page in my word processor is the same exact document that will be coming up on my Professor's computer. With some of my classes, just being a line or two long or short, due to changes of how the characters are displayed on the page, can be a big deal. Microsoft Office is more or less expected in the educational world, as well as the professional world. Using another office suite, while entirely doable, just seems like one more risk and something to make sure works.
Secondly, when I'm not doing school related stuff on the computer, I'm playing games. While the gaming market is slowly becoming more inclusive of Linux, the majority of games don't support it. Yes, there are things like Wine that make games possible, I want to get the very most out of my gaming rig. Running games through emulation seems like it would be a hit to performance and perhaps response time.
Thirdly, I get Windows free. Sure, it's not opensource like Linux is, but when the pricetag is the same, why pass off on Windows? The Windows operating system is given for free through my University. Even for those who don't get free licenses, almost all new computers are sold with a copy. The only two remaining groups are people who are using old hardware, or who are building their computer from scratch. Windows 10 is free for users running Windows 7 or 8.1. What that means, is for anyone who bought (not built) a computer in the last five and a half years has the latest Windows operating system for free. Essentially the only people who don't have a free license are people who build their own computers, or have very old technology.
Essentially, the main problems I see in expanding adoption of Desktop Linux stem from two issues. First - Linux needs more developers in applications and games. Without the productivity and entertainment applications Windows and OSX users expect, users who try desktop Linux will quickly lose interest or grow frustrated. Secondly, there's an extremely small market for people who need a free operating system.
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