March 8, 1999
Linux: Is it becoming a viable desktop alternative?
By Bob O'Donnell
As forward-looking as IT professionals like to consider themselves -- and generally are
-- when it comes to new computer technologies, the truth is old habits still die hard.
Even though some technologies may seem to provide a more robust solution to a situation
they've encountered on a regular basis, most people are still reluctant to change their
routine. It's just part of human nature.
So it is with operating system choices for desktop computers. Most IT professionals and
computer users in general are comfortable with a Windows 95, 98, or NT environment and
aren't willing to seriously consider alternatives, despite potential advantages. The only
real way to break through this complacency is for a platform to develop enough inertia
that it nearly topples over everyone and everything in its path.
At last week's wildly successful, first-ever LinuxWorld Expo in San Jose, Ca., Linux
showed signs of being just such an unstoppable force. The enthusiasm for the platform was
palpable from the thousands of people who attended the event, and several I spoke with
viewed it as a turning point for the upstart operating system. As has been the case for
quite some time, most of the energy was directed towards touting Linux as a robust server
OS and as a viable alternative to Windows NT and Windows 2000. Major PC vendors, such as
HP, IBM, and Dell announced support for Linux on their server hardware and large database
companies, including Oracle, Sybase, and IBM, all announced Linux support for their
server-based software.
But along with the server-related issues, there was a strong undercurrent of enthusiasm
for Linux on the desktop. As Larry Augustin, president and CEO of Linux hardware vendor VA
Research -- which recently received an investment from Intel -- put it, "People who
just see Linux on the server don't get it. The desktop is where the mindshare is and
that's where Linux has to be and will be."
To that end, there were several developments announced at or around the time of the
show to suggest that Linux is starting to become a viable desktop alternative for more
than just the "enthusiast" crowd. Most importantly, the 1.0 release of the
impressive looking GNOME (GNU Network Object Model
Environment) user interface project should provide a strong shot in the arm for Linux on
the desktop. From demonstrations I saw, GNOME seems to provide a very straightforward,
familiar user interface that makes the transition from a Windows or even MacOS-based
system quite simple. Desktop icons, a start button-like program launcher, an Explorer-like
file viewer, and user-configurable "themes" for altering the look and feel of
the OS all contributed to providing a comfortable, yet intriguing new desktop environment.
Both industry leader Red Hat, as well as the Debian distribution apparently plan to
incorporate GNOME as their new user interface in the next distribution releases.
In addition, in discussions with Corel CEO Michael Cowpland, it became clear that Corel
is committed to providing its complete WordPerfect suite to the Linux market and will do
so for a total cost of $50 (this seems to be the magic price point for any Linux software
that isn't free). Cowpland pointed out that over 600,000 people have already downloaded
its WordPerfect 8.0 word processor
for Linux (which is free to individual users) and so the company expects to do quite well
with its complete suite.
Despite these positive developments, however, there are still some significant issues
that need to be addressed to make Linux a viable desktop OS. For one, the installation
process of both the OS and applications still needs to be made much, much easier. While
the RedHat 5.2 distribution's automated setup process is certainly a step in the right
direction, even more of these types of efforts need to be made. Also, while the Corel
WordPerfect Office support and the competitive StarOffice suite are certainly positive
movements, there still need to be a lot more applications ported over to the OS.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there are still major philosophical issues
regarding how a community-based effort such as Linux can continue moving forward and avoid
splintering, especially now that it has started to reach critical mass. While efforts to
avoid breaking off into multiple directions have been somewhat successful to this point,
the entrance of major commercial players and the fiscal issues that will arise may
completely change the Linux landscape over the next few years.
If the inertia currently driving Linux draws enough users to the platform, some of
these issues may solve themselves. But regardless of what happens, with an estimated
installed base of 7 million and climbing, there's no question that Linux has become a
technological force to be reckoned with.
©
Copyright 1999, by InfoWorld Publishing Corp., a
subsidiary of IDG Communications, Inc. Reprinted from InfoWorld,
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