The Direction of Linux

[ratdude747]

After a discussion on another forum, it was discussed about the current way linux is setup, like how disto's differ and things of that nature.

the questio that I would like to see is how do linux users feel about what linx should be. should it be for everybody? should it only be fore those who are "power users?" should it be something else?

what is your take on this?

edit- It seems adding polls to threads here is different than most vbulliten setups... this sounds dumb, but how does one do that on this particular forum (usually it is in thread tools?)

[oz]

how do linux users feel about what linx should be. should it be for everybody? should it only be fore those who are "power users?" should it be something else?

Hello

Linux already is to where anyone that wants to learn to use it can do so. Anyone that wants to become a power user can do that, too.

It seems adding polls to threads here is different than most vbulliten setups... this sounds dumb, but how does one do that on this particular forum (usually it is in thread tools?)

You can check the following thread for info on how LinuxForums.org is setup to work:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...-user-faq.html

Question #14 relates to the posting polls on the forums.

[ratdude747]

I see. so much for the poll idea then

[jmadero]

Linux should be for whoever wants to use it. If someone wants to come alter a relatively hard distro and make it easier to use for a non computer literate person, more power to them. Our community has always been fundamentally for options and choices, for those who attack new users or users who only want to use easier distros, well I think they miss the whole point of Linux and open source software in general. If a new user comes and asks a question that some might feel is "beneath" them, well the simple choice is to not respond and to let others who are willing to answer really basic questions respond. I was fortunate enough to have a group of really patient people in this forum help me through my first baby steps in Linux about a decade ago. Since then I've used more complicated distros but ultimately I've landed on Ubuntu and in general am happy with it. Now the question is, am I not a "power user" and if not, why not? I am great at googling now, I try to help others when I can, and I've probably "converted" 10 or so people from Windows to Linux.....that's my two cents

[jayd512]

In my opinion, Linux is ready for everyone.
'Power users' can go for Gentoo, CRUX, Arch and Slackware.
Non-power users can look to Ubuntu or Mint, Mepis, antiX and so on.
Then there are the ones in between... Fedora, Debian, CentOS/Scientific.

The options are there for anyone to use an OS that fits their personal needs and skill set.

[gruven]

In my opinion, Linux is exactly where it needs to be.

I just wish the game companies would jump on it, and start coding for opengl so we could play triple A titles on Linux.

Not the fault of Linux though.

[MASONTX]

People who want to unify the different distro's miss the point of linux. The diversity of linux is what is so attractive. You can pick a distro that looks and acts much like windows, one that is definitely linux, but very user friendly, or go to the deep end of the pool and select a distro that is a command line only, get your hands dirty type distro. There are distro's for audio, video, gaming, general use, scientific use, penetration testing, and just about any other use you can think of. You can run a home computer, a home server, or a corporate network and a commercial server farm. If you can imagine a use, there is probably a linux out there that will do it, if not, it is open source and you are free to modify linux to meet your needs. The future of linux is not in being one particular tool, but in being a whole tool box.

[Iwuvnix]

Linux shouldn't be for everyone ... It IS for everyone. There are 323 actively developed distro's listed on distrowatch. If someone cannot find something they like out of that kind of selection of free alternative operating systems. Then they should probably stick with windows. Direction it's taking ? Sheesh, more like directions, all different directions it seems. Some good, perhaps some not so much. Guess it depends on a particular persons tastes and views on the subject.

One thing I can say for sure. Since I've tried 15-20 distro's to date and have 3 installed and quad booting great on this old dinosaur of a comp. Linux is an alternative operating system for anyone who wants to use software other than M$ or Apple/Mac. So overall I'm pleased as punch that a bunch of uber talented software developers with a passion for software worked their butts off so I could have great free software to use as I will.

[cousinlucky]

323 Linux distros makes my head spin!!