this would make linux much better

[tal32123]

Why don't all the developers start working together to make a great os to take down windows and mac. This would benefit the entire linux community, then after linux makes its grand enterance, the developers can branch out again or still work together.

[GNU-Fan]

Because the developers don't want to take down Windows or Mac.

[tal32123]

Because the developers don't want to take down Windows or Mac.

why not? That way they get more users, more users = more money, more money = more developers, more developers = better operating systems/coding.

[GNU-Fan]

If a developer is mainly interested in a big userbase, he would pick the platform with the biggest marketshare to develop for, wouldn't she?

[tal32123]

If a developer is mainly interested in a big userbase, he would pick a platform with the biggest marketshare to develop for, wouldn't she?

Im just saying it would make linux better for everyone

[GNU-Fan]

Im just saying it would make linux better for everyone

I think this a rather bold statement, given that people have different tastes.
I'm willing to do work in order to reach my idea of "better". But I am not going to pull my leg out for someone else's idea of it. I assume that's how most developers feel about it.

Hence the splintering of distributions we face.

[MASONTX]

Linux is free. So in your arguement, where do the programmers get more money. I think the idea is that everyone develops what they would like to see, not what the marketplace will pay for.

[PrinceSharma]

^ Agreed with MASONTX.
If it was all about money, RH or Suse would have already launched a 'tends to perfect' OS for home users, IMO.
But they are still their with their two diff. segments.

[hazel]

why not? That way they get more users, more users = more money, more money = more developers, more developers = better operating systems/coding.

It's not about money. And the best software is not made by having lots and lots of developers; it's made by having developers who love programming, who are addicted to it, who go on writing programs even if no-one pays them. Just as the best music is made by people who just have to make music. That's why Linux is better than Windows.

[elija]

I agree with MASONTX and hazel. Linux is based on a completely different philosophy than any closed source operating systems we could name* and that is freedom.

The freedom to do what you want and equally the freedom to not do what you don't want. In that philosophy, money becomes less important and indeed much Linux (and other open source coding) is done by programmers in their spare time. All because of the passion for freedom and quality. And on that basis, getting people who passionately believe in the Debian way to work with people who passionately believe in the Red Way and those who passionately believe in Slackware** (pretty much none of whom want to destroy Windows) would be nearly impossible. I think you would need a successful cat herder to achieve it.

And no, it wouldn't make Linux better as it would remove choice; even temporarily.


*Alright mac, it's Windows!

** That would be the developers