----- Original Message -----
From: "Sean Rima"
Personally, I like Linux a lot and intend to keep using it. It has the potential to move to the average desktop, but it needs to take into account the majority of people who are not computer types. I'm hoping that development comes. That's what I was talking about.
I have to admit that I am not a GUI man, I prefer the console, therefore it is possible to view what is going on better. I think that development will occur, maybe slower than the Windows platform but then we have better choice :)
The software choice is almost overwhelming, to be sure. The development is definitely going to be slower than on the Windows platform for an obvious reason: money. I'm not talking about the money to develop the software - the thousands of very dedicated volunteers (thanks to any reading who are in that group), but the money as in profit from development. The problem with real computer types developing in this way is that they (unconsciously) expect the user to be a computer type. Telling a computer type to restart the print service seems natural. The problem is that the user might be a 65 year old grandmother who can usually find the on switch. Please understand, I really want to see Linux do better on the desktop. After I've been around it enough to know how to really use it, I'm probably going to look at the source - I've done OS development before from mainframes to micros. I honestly believe that this is the main obstacle it needs to overcome (well, this and an almost unlimited advertising budget from M$).