It is finally happening!
Everyone these days seems to be trying Linux. In the whole 2007, i only managed to get 1 user to Linux but since last week, 2 of my superiors asked me to make dual boot (XP-Ubuntu) and 2 other colleagues bought the Linux version of Acer Aspire One!! And more have told me that they plan to try Ubuntu very soon.
Ubuntu has just become so great that anyone can use it and maintain it easier than XP and a lot easier than Vista. (After someone shows him/her how to install a program).
Also, use of Red Hat in our Application Servers has got on the table and is no longer dismissed without even the slightest consideration.
I strongly believe that the last 12 months were the Year of Linux Desktop (or netbook if you prefer...). If you think it wasn't, then this year will definitely be!
6 comments:
I agree that more and more new users of Linux are coming into the herd, so to speak. But, and don't take this wrong, only people with a sense of adventure and patience are the ones that stick around. With the majority of computers coming pre-installed with Windows in the USA. New Computer users are stuck in a certain mindset, and since their neighbors are Windows users, they can go to them for help. I am a Linux user, but my wife is scared to death of it. Took me a couple weeks to get her to click on the Opera browser I installed on her Laptop with XP. As soon as she found the Quick Dial page she was hooked and told me Opera was cool. It doesn't mean I get to set her up for dual boot though. Having Linux on my gear, keeps her off my computers. She treats them like they have leprosy. So I enjoy yours and my enthusiasm for the Linux operating systems. But getting the mainstream joe blow user that thinks Linux is only for geeks and hackers and programmers is going to be a hard hurdle to clear. Even though A lot of new users are older people just trying out new things. I hope Linux becomes mainstream in my lifetime. But then I was hoping pot would be legal by now in the USA also.
Another 2 cents from me on this. I got into riding motorcycles in the 70's. Harleys were labled as unreliable and leaked oil. Those were the best years of being a biker. Now that Harleys are a cult thing and Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, you get the idea, are buying and riding them. The Price skyrocketed 20,000 dollars. You go to a event and the vendors gouge you for a 10 dollar hamburger and a 3 dollar coke.Parts are now horrendously expensive. If Linux does become mainstream and becomes a cult symbol like Harleys did. I hope Linux doesn't fall down the same pitfalls. Another example is the original Woodstock.These might be the Golden years of Linux. concert vs the Newer one they had in Calif.
I disagree a bit about neighbors helping them with Windows problems. A very big portion of advanced IT users are now using Linux & are leaving Windows behind each passing day. These users also do not use Vista at all, which means that getting help for Vista is very difficult. And help with "Windows 7" will be difficult as well. As more and more Linux users refuse to help with Windows problems (or have lost their windows skills in some extent) we will see how user-friendly windows really are.
. A very big portion of advanced IT users are now using Linux
That statement, is what intimidates the mom and pop users that think Linux is only for geeks and not for them. So they stick with Windows. They just pop their bought software cds and let the install Wizard take over and boom they are done. That is all they want. I am not trying to be negative or flame this, it is just what I see in everyday life. I try to convince certain people of the advantages by using synaptic and open source, but I just get blank stares from these western Hispanic cowboys that say, it might be alright for you, but it is not for me.Every refurbished computer I have sold, I have asked if they wish Ubuntu or Xp installed or even dual boot. Standard answer is XP, and forget the Linux. Same with Vista. That Compaq I had, I tried to sell it with Damn small Linux installed. The Lady asked if I could put Windows 95 back on it instead, so I did.I asked if she wanted dual boot Puppy, she said no.This is the world I live in. Go figure.
My New Year's resolution for 2008 was to get 100 users to switch over to Linux.
I don't know how many I may have indirectly changed over but I do know of 20 or so computer users that I have helped change over to Linux.
And about 1/2 of them have made the full change and don't even have Windows installed.
What have I noticed about the users who have made the switch?
No more "I got a virus again, I got to defrag, spent 2 hours last night doing virus/spyware scans" discussions.
In fact I don't hear of any complaints and only a few sprinkles of "How do you...?" questions.
Problems have decreased, productivity and fun has increased.
And everyone of those users are able to do what they previously did in Windows with a minimal amount of learning.
I'm still on my 100 users crusade and will continue into next year because I feel that Linux is not only superior but allows the user to finally use their computer for what they want it to do.
TaZMAn
http://tazbuntu.blogspot.com/
That is a very ambitious goal tazman & everyone hopes you achieve it! If every Linux user converts 1 user, than market share will rise to over 4%, from 2,1% it is today. The good thing is, that it is now so much easier to convert someone than one year ago.
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