xboxrulz, on Nov 25 2004, 01:24 AM, said:
I think there is enough GUI systems out there. Best of all, KDE and GNOME. I think the current ones are already good and satisfying.
xboxrulz
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Linux GUIs are not nearly as internally consistant, far reaching, easy to use, or as well thought out as Windows or Mac. There are many different Linux GUI's. Windows GUI's all look and feel pretty much the same. Linux distributions do not have many good GUI's to do lower level tasks like installing drivers and changing startup settings (registries and the like). Also, Linux desktop programs do not interact with each other as easily from a point-and-click user's point of view. I fear this is not because the Distro makers arn't trying. They are trying very hard. It is because the loosley coupled architecture of a complete Linux system makes it difficult to make such tools that work consistantly and be easy to use.
To some extent, a tightly coopled, closed system is the best for usablity. Notice that what was until recently the most closed architecture of all (the Mac) is also reputed to be the easiest to use. Because Apple controlled everything from the hardware to the Web Browser, the user experience was noticibly better. Tight coopling leads to less security and performance because more programs or services are installed by default. It also has less of the kind of flexibility and compatibility that application programmers and administrators like. That is why it is usually considered inferior by those in the know. What those in the know forget is that tight coopling usually leads to a more usable system for those NOT in the know.
Another thing Linux proponents forget.... most users are not like Grandma who has never seen a computer. On the other hand, most are not admins or programmers. Linux puts very high demands on those who want to know enough to easily change startup settings, write simple shell scripts, and install drivers. To get to that level of Linux knowledge is hard for a Windows person (I know, I have tried) and you can do less once you get there(at least that's what I suspect). Linux gives you a choice - just buy a premade system with it installed and work with the many less then fully compatible and complete GUIs available, or spend many weekends becoming a guru. The middle road is tough, or at least much tougher than it is with Windows.
IN SHORT... Try using a Linux system for any but the most basic things, for any length of time, and you will be forced to use the command line. At least, that is my experience. Linux makes many things that should be simple more difficult because of its loosley coopled architecture. Linux gives less return than windows for your effort if you want to learn "enough to be dangerous" - and many people want that level of knowledge. That is why I fear that Linux will never be a true competitor on the desktop. When there is a serious competitor for Windows, my bet is it will be an X86 version of OS X, openSolaris or something more or less unknown at the present like Sylable.
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