The year of desktop Linux keeps slipping

Keep telling yourself that:

So, when Mossberg says, as he did the other day, that Linux is not ready for the average "mainstream" user, it's a lot like Robert Parker giving the thumbs down to your favorite Bordeaux.

Mossberg always makes it clear that he writes for the tech-averse computer user - that is, the "mainstream" user. As a Linux enthusiast, I believe people use the term "mainstream" as a codeword for "Microsoft Windows". That is to say, since 90% or more of the world computers run some form of Microsoft Windows, then something that isn't Windows isn't mainstream. That's the idea I got out of Mr. Mossberg's column the other day. And when I first read it, it got my Linux-loving dander up, though I couldn't dismiss it as your typical FUD piece. I am familiar with Mr. Mossberg and I have read his columns and he's quite a bit more intelligent and most certainly more sincere than FUD purveyors like Rob Enderle.

There are some very good reasons about why Linux is not ready for the mainstream user:

• Every mainstream distribution that is "good" is pretty damn bloated today. Even Ubuntu. I couldn't believe it when I realized that a fresh installation of Ubuntu was using significantly more RAM than Windows does on my laptop. The bloat hurts, like when you are trying to run a lot of software at once.
• To configure Windows XP or do any administrative tasks like installing software, I never have to use clunky packaging software or drop to the command line. Just run setup.exe as a user with the right permissions, and everything is taken care of for me.
• The chaos that comes from having no authority on what the basic Linux desktop is has resulted in there being no consistent experience between distributions, and even between desktop environments. A user may have to also run multiple GUI widget libraries which adds to the bloat that they must deal with.
• Then there is the fact that a lot of things are just easier on Windows. Need to install new device drivers? Just run the installer and reboot. That is the extent of your concern about whether or not the kernel will be able to deal with them without intervention on your part.

Linux kicks ass for a lot of things. Competing against real desktop platforms is just not one of them. It is outclassed, deal with it! If for no other reason than the fact that many Linux fans severely underestimate the difficulty in making a desktop OS that every Tom, Dick and Harry can use on a daily basis. I remain dubious as to whether or not it is even worth it, when there are other open source platforms like HaikuOS which show much greater potential.