We Are All Linux Users-like it or not

[praka123]

There may only be a few hundred thousand users running desktop Linux worldwide, compared with tens of millions of Mac users and hundreds of millions of Windows users, but almost all of us are using Linux on a daily basis.

Chris DiBona, Google's open-source programs manager, in an interview with eWEEK.com's ace software development reporter Daryl Taft, explained what I mean.

Taft asked DiBona what open-source software Google uses in deployment or production at Google. DiBona replied, "We use the Linux kernel -- every time you use Google, you're using a Linux machine. And then we have some fairly common open-source tools that we run on top of those, and then on top of those we run our proprietary software for serving Google, Gmail and all the different services."

Did you notice that "every time you use Google, you're using a Linux machine"? Is there anyone out there, except possible Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, who's online and doesn't use Google at least occasionally? I don't think so.

This also reminds me of one of the constant arguments against Linux: "It's too hard." No, it's not. It's all about what user interface you put in front of Linux. Google has the ultimate KISS (keep it simple, stupid) interface.

As interface usability guru Jakob Nielsen recently said in an e-consultancy interview, when asked about the importance of simple-to-use interfaces, "Web companies -- the ones that have been really successful -- are all the sites that are very straightforward; Google is the most famous one."

You really never, ever use Google search or any Google applications? Well, if you're on the Web, 58.48 percent of all the Web servers you might visit, according to Netcraft's May 2007 Web site survey, are running the Apache Web server. And, guess what Apache runs on about four times out of five? Yes, that's right, Linux.

So, if you're a Web user, you're a Linux user.

Not online at all? Well, how are you reading this then?

But perhaps you're one of the 1.7 million people who use a TiVo to see if the Heroes do save the world (hint: the show has been renewed for a second season).

If you are, congratulations, you're a Linux user.

Do you have a mobile phone? Many mobile phones already run Linux, and such big names as Motorola Razr2 and Palm's Treo smart phones will soon be running Linux. To quote a 2006 study of mobile device developers, "Over the past year the percentage of wireless developers targeting the Linux platform with their applications has risen from 24 percent to 37 percent." Soon, it's likely that if you have a mobile phone, MP3 player, or whatever by your side, you'll also have Linux there.

You see, you may think of yourself as someone who would never use Linux on a day-in, day-out basis, but you already are. Linux is everywhere. Now, thanks to efforts from groups and companies such as Ubuntu, Dell, and Novell, Linux is coming to the personal desktop. Considering how well Linux has done in everything else that has a computer of any kind whatsoever in it, do you really want to bet against it being a success there too? I don't.
source:
http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS6083062770.html

[vish786]

linux is my first crush..... always liked it no matter wat ppl said

[praka123]

Yup.Count me too but there may be ppl who hates Linux.How can they bear this news?

[mediator]

Nice article @prakash!
First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.

[aryayush]

WOW! That was so cool and informative.

[~Phenom~]

I m loving it.

[cynosure]

The article is cool and its the truth.
Anyways the number of Linux users is increasing every day. I just forced one more friend of mine to use Ubuntu 7.04 and he likes it.

[mkmkmk]

i m intersted for ubuntu even installed once successfully but unable to install sify client..so disappointed.....and gave up.....

thanks for article

[led_shankar]

Why were you unable to install the sify client?

oops... just noticed this was a fairly old thread

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

Originally Posted by praka123

There may only be a few hundred thousand users running desktop Linux worldwide, compared with tens of millions of Mac users and hundreds of millions of Windows users, but almost all of us are using Linux on a daily basis.

Chris DiBona, Google's open-source programs manager, in an interview with eWEEK.com's ace software development reporter Daryl Taft, explained what I mean.

Taft asked DiBona what open-source software Google uses in deployment or production at Google. DiBona replied, "We use the Linux kernel -- every time you use Google, you're using a Linux machine. And then we have some fairly common open-source tools that we run on top of those, and then on top of those we run our proprietary software for serving Google, Gmail and all the different services."

Did you notice that "every time you use Google, you're using a Linux machine"? Is there anyone out there, except possible Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, who's online and doesn't use Google at least occasionally? I don't think so.

This also reminds me of one of the constant arguments against Linux: "It's too hard." No, it's not. It's all about what user interface you put in front of Linux. Google has the ultimate KISS (keep it simple, stupid) interface.

As interface usability guru Jakob Nielsen recently said in an e-consultancy interview, when asked about the importance of simple-to-use interfaces, "Web companies -- the ones that have been really successful -- are all the sites that are very straightforward; Google is the most famous one."

You really never, ever use Google search or any Google applications? Well, if you're on the Web, 58.48 percent of all the Web servers you might visit, according to Netcraft's May 2007 Web site survey, are running the Apache Web server. And, guess what Apache runs on about four times out of five? Yes, that's right, Linux.

So, if you're a Web user, you're a Linux user.

Not online at all? Well, how are you reading this then?

But perhaps you're one of the 1.7 million people who use a TiVo to see if the Heroes do save the world (hint: the show has been renewed for a second season).

If you are, congratulations, you're a Linux user.

Do you have a mobile phone? Many mobile phones already run Linux, and such big names as Motorola Razr2 and Palm's Treo smart phones will soon be running Linux. To quote a 2006 study of mobile device developers, "Over the past year the percentage of wireless developers targeting the Linux platform with their applications has risen from 24 percent to 37 percent." Soon, it's likely that if you have a mobile phone, MP3 player, or whatever by your side, you'll also have Linux there.

You see, you may think of yourself as someone who would never use Linux on a day-in, day-out basis, but you already are. Linux is everywhere. Now, thanks to efforts from groups and companies such as Ubuntu, Dell, and Novell, Linux is coming to the personal desktop. Considering how well Linux has done in everything else that has a computer of any kind whatsoever in it, do you really want to bet against it being a success there too? I don't.
source:
http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS6083062770.html

Well no one argued that linux was good on the Server front(or for that fact UNIX or BSD) , it's on the desktop(n specially multimedia n gaming) that linux is a weak

[freshseasons]

Originally Posted by Zeeshan Quireshi

Well no one argued that linux was good on the Server front(or for that fact UNIX or BSD) , it's on the desktop(n specially multimedia n gaming) that linux is a weak

True
I loved Ubuntu but unfortunately i connect to the world through my Internet Data card.And somehow Ubuntu would not connect to the data card.Which left me totally unconnected in the mess.
Had no option but to boot out Ubunto and boot in Vista. Er..what am i saying?

[hemant_mathur]

I use moto ming which is based on linux.

[Tech.Masti]

^^ but linux-based mobile phones software are not easily available, right??

[contactpraven2001]

i m linux user even i m offline coz fedora works good with me ...

[Dark Star]

Same here Linux is my love Whatever n00bs say abt it... I did not mind thei r words cause I know they are un aware of the fact

[faraaz]

Originally Posted by freshseasons

True
I loved Ubuntu but unfortunately i connect to the world through my Internet Data card.And somehow Ubuntu would not connect to the data card.Which left me totally unconnected in the mess.
Had no option but to boot out Ubunto and boot in Vista. Er..what am i saying?

Kitchen-sink distro's will give you everything you ever need. Sabayon installs like 4 different types of every software out there (video/audio players & editors, graphics editors, development IDE for almost every language out there, office apps...pretty much everything).

You only ever need to go online to update your software...but like on mine, I'm happily managing with a completely offline Linux box running Sabayon 3.3!

[kumarmohit]

Phir Shuru Linux Windows Mahaaabhaarat