TechRepublic : A ZDNet Tech Community

User Support

Host: Joe Rosberg
Contact

Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll

Linux versus Windows has been the subject of debate for quite some time, but will it (Linux) ever achieve the status of a popular desktop product that we’ll have to support? Share your opinion and take the poll.

——————————————————————————————————————-

A couple of years ago, I wrote a piece exploring whether or not Linux would ever be a popular desktop product. While the positive sentiment toward Linux was prevalent throughout the ensuing discussion, not many thought it would achieve a desktop status worthy of being called popular. After two years, it seems as though not much has changed. Or has it?

As ones who support desktop users, we certainly have a vested interest in at least considering using (and/or learning) Linux, and we certainly owe it to ourselves to follow the popularity of it. After all, what if, for whatever reasons, in the course of a few years Linux did indeed begin to make inroads into the main-stream desktop market and became yet another factor in supporting desktop users? While some support pros would embrace it, others might find it to be one more factor among already too many in providing good support.

After all, it’s a common conception that Linux is popular only among the tech savvy among us because it has to be. (Or is that a misconception?) And as we all know, a good portion of the users we support are anything but tech savvy.

In short, if Linux ever became a popular desktop product, would it solve more problems for support pros or, perhaps, cause more? Considering as much, there are really two questions I’m exploring. The first is “Will Linux will ever be a popular and significant desktop product?” The other isĀ ”Do most support pros even want it to become one?”

Take the polls and share your thoughts.

Will Linux ever become a popular desktop product?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Would you want Linux to become a popular desktop product?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Print/View all Posts Comments on this blog

Would support professionals embrace Linux as a popular desktop product? Joe_R | 09/30/09
opinion.... ---TK--- | 09/30/09
Well . . . . . . Joe_R | 09/30/09
I don't know about you boxfiddler | 09/30/09
And at times around here. . . . . Joe_R | 09/30/09
Hotter than hell...... edmund.good@... | 10/01/09
RE: So you need flame proof underwear HAL 9000 | 10/01/09
It just might though... jwesleycooper | 10/07/09
their kid goes in and plays with the resolution, ator1940 | 10/01/09
Also why it'll work in some businesses. escapepod | 10/02/09
Second time my comment is set in the wrong place KimTjik | 10/01/09
Linux will rise in popularity, but not as a Desktop OS support@... | 10/01/09
Linux as a popular desktop product user support | 10/06/09
Here's Why I Believe Not... robspangler | 10/06/09
2/3 of you say "Yes"?? Are you kidding me? Ryk | 10/06/09
looked at some of the recent user friendly distros? Neon Samurai | 10/06/09
Has not in the last decade... lammwa@... | 10/07/09
Free is not necessarily a good thing. skykeys | 11/07/09
I'm in total agreement with you there HAL 9000 | 11/08/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll darryl@... | 09/30/09
You said. . . . . Joe_R | 09/30/09
I think it would be more transitional Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
Support for Linux..... edmund.good@... | 10/01/09
Try Jaunty... jwesleycooper | 10/07/09
Ever? Palmetto | 09/30/09
You're right. Ever is a long time Joe_R | 09/30/09
Joe in answer to your question HAL 9000 | 09/30/09
Silliness notsatch | 10/01/09
And that is exactly the point HAL 9000 | 10/01/09
And reality is? SKDTech | 10/03/09
I think his point on windows support jdclyde | 10/06/09
Define 'popular' Palmetto | 10/01/09
Whats "Popular"? danyj028 | 10/01/09
Welcome to TR. Palmetto | 10/02/09
When governments are changing to it, there is a big push jdclyde | 10/06/09
I'm still waiting for reports on businesses. Palmetto | 10/07/09
And even then HAL 9000 | 10/07/09
Not one to be found drowningnotwaving | 10/07/09
I have to disagree with you there HAL 9000 | 10/08/09
You're right drowningnotwaving | 10/08/09
not 20 years Joe Jaqui | 10/02/09
that's why I couldn't answer the "will it" question Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll ayellowmoon@... | 09/30/09
Poor guide for choosing your PC OS SKDTech | 09/30/09
Not to mention... notsatch | 10/01/09
some of that is there Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll edvitols@... | 09/30/09
and there's the problem jim@... | 09/30/09
When at least 90% of Commerical games have a Linux version SinisterSlay | 09/30/09
not so sure jim@... | 09/30/09
Its all about games SinisterSlay | 10/01/09
It could work Jaqui | 09/30/09
But the level of incompetence... darryl@... | 09/30/09
On the bright side jmgarvin | 09/30/09
to open their Word files ator1940 | 10/01/09
It could look close enough for corporate work. Palmetto | 10/01/09
Yes, but why? robspangler | 10/06/09
In a business environment, I wouldn't run an emulator Palmetto | 10/07/09
hey Palmie Jaqui | 10/08/09
Hey Jaqui Palmetto | 10/09/09
lol, I agree Jaqui | 10/09/09
Agree with this one roaming | 10/01/09
well Jaqui | 10/02/09
Hey, boy santeewelding | 10/02/09
naw Jaqui | 10/03/09
Popular enough to get hardware specs would be enough Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
Probably not boxfiddler | 09/30/09
Davette you need to first remember HAL 9000 | 09/30/09
it's the little things Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
No, not really. boxfiddler | 09/30/09
depends on the thing Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
Samba for networking? ator1940 | 10/01/09
What is Excel? Some exercise scheduling application? roaming | 10/01/09
The question should be phrased differently SKDTech | 09/30/09
I'd like to see it NickNielsen | 09/30/09
Not likely jimmy-jam | 09/30/09
I should have a look at Ubuntu Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
Maybe I... jimmy-jam | 09/30/09
could be worth a look Neon Samurai | 09/30/09
No Problem robspangler | 10/06/09
Using more than one wireless network is a problem jimmy-jam | 10/08/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll techrepublic@... | 09/30/09
Right on! ator1940 | 10/01/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll linuxiac38@... | 09/30/09
wow.. jim@... | 09/30/09
Not a reply KimTjik | 10/01/09
We don't have a way to delete a post. Palmetto | 10/01/09
"So, you can march with the Penguins, or die!" Palmetto | 10/01/09
he does come on awful hot and heavy Neon Samurai | 10/01/09
Yes to both questions but with an explanation KimTjik | 10/01/09
Given that "Popular" is highly subjective drowningnotwaving | 10/01/09
IMHE, Linux certainly has a chance jkameleon@... | 10/02/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll adamspivey@... | 10/02/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll garyfizer@... | 10/02/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll PeterPac | 10/02/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll psrocks20 | 10/03/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll patrickmm97@... | 10/06/09
Percentages and popularity. Palmetto | 10/07/09
Please, tell me drowningnotwaving | 10/07/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll howard48906@... | 10/06/09
I don't think it will AV . | 10/06/09
Things change jdclyde | 10/06/09
They do, but are usually Revolutionary, not evolutionary drowningnotwaving | 10/06/09
Where was the revolusion against IBM? jdclyde | 10/08/09
You can't defend market position if you hate the market! drowningnotwaving | 10/08/09
I fondly remember the DOS days too AV . | 10/07/09
Why would you change? jdclyde | 10/08/09
AV remember HAL 9000 | 10/07/09
Yeah but AV . | 10/07/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll TheOlderEd | 10/06/09
new hardware is more an issue Neon Samurai | 10/07/09
Bleeding edge works better than the trailing edge SinisterSlay | 10/07/09
Odd that ISA sound is an issue Neon Samurai | 10/08/09
nope, smoke escaped SinisterSlay | 10/08/09
that damn sneaky smoke Neon Samurai | 10/08/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll Steelers6 | 10/07/09
RE: Will Linux ever be a popular desktop system? Take the poll jfreedle2@... | 10/10/09
With MS moving to lock people down to just MS Deadly Ernest | 10/10/09

What do you think?



Administrator's Guide to TCP/IP, Second Edition
Maintain your critical TCP/IP system and ensure reliable, safe remote access. Get the expert advice and solutions to handle Windows networking, Cisco routing, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Buy Now
500 Things Every Technology Professional Needs to Know
Did you know Microsoft's RegClean does not work with XP but you can use shareware to clean your registry? Did you know most wireless access points don't have encryption enabled by default? Did you know there are 500 tidbits of information contained in TechRepublic's 500 Things Every Technology Professional Needs to Know that will help you become a successful IT professional.
Buy Now

SmartPlanet

Click Here