| Linux Desktop 2006: better than ever |
Dec. 22, 2006
 Opinion -- I recently read a story that asked, "Has the Desktop Linux Bubble Burst?" Burst!? No, I don't think so. Actually, it still isn't even half as big as it will be when it's full.
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The author goes on to explain that he feels this way because GNOME "lacks any form of a vision," while KDE4 is full of wonderful ideas, but not enough money and effort behind turning concepts into code.
I don't see that at all. I think both popular Linux desktop environments are making good progress.
But, you know what? I think focusing on KDE or GNOME is like looking at the trees and missing the forest. The last 12 months have seen extraordinary progress in the Linux desktop. I'd say 2006 has been the best year ever for the Linux desktop.
Let's start by looking at some of the latest desktop distributions.
Besides being a great desktop in its own right SLED 10 (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop), comes with all the corporate support trimmings that big businesses want before they'll even consider buying an operating system.
Novell's openSUSE, now at version 10.2, has actually, according to DistroWatch.com's Page Hit Ranking, become the most popular Linux distribution around in the last month. Red Hat isn't pushing its desktop offerings -- for now -- but Fedora makes a fine desktop. We haven't reviewed Fedora 6 yet, but I have it running, and it's fine.
MEPIS 6.01 is a solid, Ubuntu-based distribution that everyone at DesktopLinux.com likes, and we see a lot of Linux desktops. Or, if you prefer, you can go with the pure Ubuntu.
If you like Debian, take a look at the Windows-user friendly Xandros. Last, but in no way least, if you want to maximize your chances of all your hardware running, you should try Linspire's Freespire.
Now, compare any of those with the Linux desktops that were available in 2005. Each and every one is a significant improvement over its predecessor.
But, the Linux desktop has seen a lot more than better distributions. It also has taken giant steps forward in interoperability. The Portland Project has brought GNOME and KDE developers closer together than ever. More work needs to be done with interoperability, but the desktop developers are already hard at work on such things as standardizing Linux audio and printers.
Now, some of this development, like the establishment of the D-Bus IPC (interprocess communication) system may not look like much, but it is. The foundation that the Portland supporters are putting together will make the Linux desktop even stronger for both ISVs (independent software vendors) and users.
Let's also not forget that Microsoft's Vista may yet drive users to Linux. Yes, I've said that before, but now IDC's analysts are saying it. They predict that Microsoft's big-brother-like "client operating system anti-piracy efforts will backfire. Microsoft's anti-piracy campaign will drive customers toward Linux."
Burst? No, the Linux desktop has just had its best year ever. And, as the Portland project standardization efforts continue to be deployed in KDE, in GNOME, and in the desktop distributions, 2007 will be better still.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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