On the popularity of Linux systems
Intentions
Linux is not as popular as Windows. I will not give statistics, because statistics are different. I would not want to talk about ideology, this inevitably leads to holivars. I’m not going to get into the server segment - people who deploy them usually quite well imagine what they want from the OS. With your permission, I will not touch on the topic of free of charge - it is no secret that most users in Russia do not spend money on licensing. Anyway, the topic is about people, not about systems. I myself am a supporter of open source software and try, as far as possible, to engage in its popularization and help developers.
Topic - an offer to Linux supporters to think together why our OS does not have a popularity comparable to other systems.
So, Linux is relatively unpopular among casual users. So there are objective reasons. For myself, I divided them into several groups, which I described below. The description of each reason consists of two points: the wording itself and the solution that is visible to me.
Causes
Historical
The established view that Linux is very difficult
Five years ago, I really wanted to see what Linux is. I was given the distribution kit on a CD, I started to install and erased the entire hard drive. I was tight with English then, I could not figure out the text installer. After that, for three years I could not get rid of the thought that this was not for me, that I would never understand and there was nothing to “stick my nose” into the world of open OS. Now everything is much simpler - both the localization is good and the interfaces have become very friendly. But people still think that Linux is for professionals.
For myself, I noticed that these are just fears, nothing more. When a new person comes to work and it comes to computer skills, after the phrase “Linux is used everywhere here”, he immediately sags. And then the most interesting. From some point I came up with such a "trick". Just ask, "Well, did you work with Windows?" The applicant immediately replies: “Yes, of course!” If at that moment you smile and say very confidently “Ah, well then you’ll figure it out with Linux!” And quickly move on to another topic, then any person will inevitably lose all fear! It is interesting that the people whom I said so (over the last year there were about 15 such people, more than half of them are women) really mastered very quickly and never (!) Had any problems. Those who just announced that they will have to work with Ubuntu,
There is little software under Linux.
This is also very true from the point of view of historical retrospective. In those days when I easily and naturally wiped my hard drive, there were problems with the Internet - I was not studying in Moscow and I just had nowhere to get software. And he was not talking about the installation - there were simply no people in the hostel who would deal with this issue. But they passed from hand to hand discs with software for Windows. Now, of course, everything has become much simpler.
I see the most scared eyes of people (it’s not about workstations, but about home machines, of course), who go to forums in search of software and see something in the style of “Yes, no problem, I updated the compiler and quickly from source code collected this tool. A bit, of course, I had to fix the code, but everything works. ” To get a person out of this stupor is obtained only with the phrase “Come on, stop it.” This programmers indulge. " Gently ask what software is needed and ask "over there, on the list" to check the boxes next to the necessary programs.
- Highlighted? Well now click on the apply button.
- Clicked.
- Yeah. Excellent!
“Where is the setup now to launch here?”
- And all. Everything is already settled ...
- How so? On the menu? Well ka ... Well so ... it's ... Ah * to eat !!!
:)
After that, the user himself will sit for several hours and, periodically squealing with delight, install different software, which, most likely, he will never need. But the myth of the lack of software and the complexity of the installation will be broken.
There are no games under Linux at all!
Games, of course, are. But not all. And here, obviously, a really weak spot.
UPD. Manny21 suggested a site with toys for the benefit of the community: igronomicon.org/top250
Socio-economic
Pre-installed OSs
For this reason, I have been using Linux for only two years out of fifteen. Indeed, why change something, if everything is so good. No argument here will help for the simple reason that Windows users are right! Indeed, they are doing well. And do not soar them with technical details about any subjective merits / demerits. They are happy, they are comfortable using Windows. They are 100% right!
In this issue of popularization (propaganda) one should play exclusively on such feelings as curiosity and ambition. Thus, the weakness of Linux-systems can be turned into the strongest motivator. As if in between, sitting around a fire with
Ties on the business use of computers in small groups
In this case (especially in the regions) fear is of great weight. A couple of examples with a smile about how “we were planted / fined for pirate software in Moscow - soon they will take it for you” and that’s all. A familiar leader is firmly in the head with a feeling of fear. He will surely have thoughtfulness on his face. At this moment, as if in a continuation of the conversation, to complain that the licenses are expensive, "the bourgeoisie is completely brutalized - they are fighting at exorbitant prices." Well, they say that there is an alternative, "otherwise I don’t know how we would do business" and quickly turn to another topic. Oddly enough, this technique is still very good.
Lack of support
People do not want to be left alone. Feeling lonely literally kills. It is important to make it clear to them that there will always be those who, in which case, will come to them not help. Well, and, of course, independently, to the best of their ability, to provide support (at least moral) to beginners. Show the community, help them not become isolated on their problems. Otherwise, left alone, the user will receive very sharp experiences, subconsciously associated with alternative OS.
A large role is also played by a sense of involvement. Many times already looked through battles between supporters of different OS on Habré. But, for some reason, I have never seen references to this strongest argument. I'm not talking about the fact that everyone can remake the program for themselves. I say that the need for creativity to one degree or another is present in all people. But Linux is the only OS of the "Big Three" in the creation of which the user can take such a direct part! This should never be forgotten.
Positioning
The most interesting and “tasty” moment. I often notice that I speak of Linux as a kind of “alternative” OS (this topic doesn’t count, everything is conscious :))
It is important to stop pointing to the "alternative" of free software in communication with people. A priori set the tone for discussion in the key to equality. Follow the speech, mention Windows only as an alternative to other systems. It will look natural if you yourself are firmly aware of it. And for this it is necessary to abandon holivars once and for all, from the constant need to prove something to someone. On the whole, I don’t have a very clear idea of the recipe, if one of us has experience in creating images, in positioning, then this will be a wonderful addition.
Technical
The group of technical reasons is the most objective. It makes no sense to list them - just visit the bug report lists and visit the brainstorming sites. Partially, it was born out of the “free” nature of open source software. All people see solutions to problems in different ways, so unification and standardization become very difficult tasks. This is one aspect of the problem that I see.
For a snack
I do not want the topic to be perceived as an attempt to form a guide to action or an exposition of one’s own thoughts. Opponents on both sides have already broken mines. But it would be very interesting for me to listen to the opinions of people involved in open source software. I think an exchange of views would be useful for all of us.