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I"m of mixed mind on this. I like having multiple options in desktop selection. I also see that resources and income are spread thinner across those who offer those options.
Were it not for income (money) from either advertising or server based (for pay) Linux installations, the larger Linux based businesses could not offer a "free" desktop to the end users like you and I.
My prediction: (worth every cent paid for it) is that there will be decline in the number of desktop versions available, with end user usage being concentrated in just a few. Look to the bigger players to survive. Canonical (Ubuntu) is an example but not the only company with enough resources to survive while continuing to fund a "free" desktop.
We already have quite a few desktops which are created by small groups of people who are basically working for free, in their spare time from other paying jobs. I don't see that as viable in the long term.
I don't believe we will reach the point of having only a single desktop option for Linux. There will always be those who want something different and who can write their own desktop code.Kubuntu 24.11 64bit under Kernel 6.11.0, Hp Pavilion, 6MB ram. Stay away from all things Google...
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Yep, I just hope things do get better. I would rather run Linux Full Time, but at the moment it is not possible for me. Even the one Laptop I have Kubuntu on I've had many Wifi issues, and this would not be good if this was my Main PC. I'm positive Windows 10 would run super on this laptop, and that's what I expect Linux to provide regardless of how the gets the job done. Certainly some choice is good, but to many choices without quality is not good. Just some better Hardware support would be the most important thing IMO. Kubuntu has been quite good all but for this Wifi issue, and if I had a better supported Wifi Card I think all would be quite smooth.
ThanksDell OptiPlex 9010 SFF, 8GB RAM, i7 3770, Kubuntu 18.04, MB 051FJ8
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My wireless adapter was NOT recognized by the system at time of install (Kubuntu 19.04 Disco Dingo).
Can you be more specific about what problems you have with wifi under Kubuntu?
[Edit] My built-in adapter needed to have the Broadcom driver installed, it was not recognized automatically. During install, I used an external wireless adapter (tplink) which was recognized by the Kubuntu installer. Once I had everything installed, I used the Broadcom driver, from the repository, and removed the tplink device.
You can run the Driver Manager and let it search for your internal wireless adapter and then choose the recommended driver.Kubuntu 24.11 64bit under Kernel 6.11.0, Hp Pavilion, 6MB ram. Stay away from all things Google...
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Originally posted by Nasty7 View PostBroadcom BCM4313Windows no longer obstructs my view.
Using Kubuntu Linux since March 23, 2007.
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." - Sherlock Holmes
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Oops, I had to edit my reply (#6) to give the correct process for getting wireless to work. Note that it needed an external wireless adapter to get a connection to the repositories during install.Kubuntu 24.11 64bit under Kernel 6.11.0, Hp Pavilion, 6MB ram. Stay away from all things Google...
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Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostI"m of mixed mind on this. I like having multiple options in desktop selection. I also see that resources and income are spread thinner across those who offer those options.
Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostMy prediction: (worth every cent paid for it) is that there will be decline in the number of desktop versions available, with end user usage being concentrated in just a few. Look to the bigger players to survive. Canonical (Ubuntu) is an example but not the only company with enough resources to survive while continuing to fund a "free" desktop.
Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostWe already have quite a few desktops which are created by small groups of people who are basically working for free, in their spare time from other paying jobs. I don't see that as viable in the long term.
Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostI don't believe we will reach the point of having only a single desktop option for Linux. There will always be those who want something different and who can write their own desktop code.
When I came in, distro hopping is/was the suggested practice to find what one is comfortable with. Shoot, the majority of people don't like installing an OS anyway, much less swapping and installing different ones on a regular basis. After a couple yrs of distro hopping, firmly landed with Kubuntu and KDE Neon (not much different between the 2).
I think that things should be narrowed down "officially", that way something could be seen as unified coming from this niche area of the computing world, then when people got more settled and willing to be "brave" (if they are, some just don't like dealing with computers other then the bare needs), they have those options out there. I'm not saying remove those options, but get behind something specifically. Not going to please everyone, that's for sure, but everything is really fragmented. There needs to be more unification.
But, too, the end users need to be willing to give more back as well. I use Linux full time, 4 desktops and 1 laptop, all my productions programs (all of which are portable, so I don't have to worry about different package managers as well) are through Linux (used to VM Windows, only fire those up for nostalgia now). I support every project that makes me money (either with monetary support or with tutorials or even code on occasion). I don't think a lot do though.Lenovo Thinkstation: Xeon E5 CPU 32GB ECC Ram KDE Neon
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The idea of having a single desktop, or even just one which has majority support from users, is kind of (a lot) scary to those of use who went through the OS wars between M$ and IBM. "One Ring to Rule Them All" is also an appropriate meme for this.
I'll settle for a reduced set of desktop choices, which is likely to happen anyway, as the players with fewer resource backing development are forced off the field. This is not just a FOSS problem, it is part of business.
Let's watch to see what happens as M$ tries to influence the Linux Foundation toward the M$ business model. I expect blood in the streets as the cultures clash with each other. Nothing new here, just another battlefield, albeit one closer to the Linux side of the game.Kubuntu 24.11 64bit under Kernel 6.11.0, Hp Pavilion, 6MB ram. Stay away from all things Google...
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Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostThe idea of having a single desktop, or even just one which has majority support from users, is kind of (a lot) scary to those of use who went through the OS wars between M$ and IBM. "One Ring to Rule Them All" is also an appropriate meme for this.
However, there is something to be said for fragmented resources and keep many hands in many pies. Something is bound to give and there will be an eventually culling, desired or otherwise.
Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostThis is not just a FOSS problem, it is part of business.
It's not only a more focused desktop metaphor, but other things as simple as be able to buy from more places (yes there are a few, I'm aware of) a machine with Linux loaded up (then becomes the question, which Linux is installed on those rigs from the get go) from the get go. This isn't even getting into the fragmentation of other things like package managers (only time I mess with one is updating, the only programs that are installed throughout the systems that I use are ones that came pre-loaded and the nvidia driver, all other software is portable).
To me, if people want a more stable future for desktop Linux, that usage number needs to go up and sometimes to do that, it does mean some compromises (like them or not).Lenovo Thinkstation: Xeon E5 CPU 32GB ECC Ram KDE Neon
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I see a frequent misunderstanding about "FOSS", particularly from those who use or write proprietary code. The "F" doesn't refer to monetary value or cost of acquisition. It is used in the sense of Freedom from onerous regulations which prevent the modification of the software (non-proprietary). It also refers to the code being available without cost to those who want it or need to make such modifications as they find necessary.
This is sometimes expressed as "FLOSS", Free Libre Open Source Software to make the meaning of "free" more obvious.
And I agree, I was the one who used "One Ring To Rule Them All" as an allegory to having a single, "official" desktop, ie. one which has been "blessed" by TPTB as the preferred desktop.Kubuntu 24.11 64bit under Kernel 6.11.0, Hp Pavilion, 6MB ram. Stay away from all things Google...
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Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu View PostI see a frequent misunderstanding about "FOSS", particularly from those who use or write proprietary code. The "F" doesn't refer to monetary value or cost of acquisition. It is used in the sense of Freedom from onerous regulations which prevent the modification of the software (non-proprietary). It also refers to the code being available without cost to those who want it or need to make such modifications as they find necessary.
Now, there is also another bug bear to deal with. The perception that software that is "free" as is beer, is not as good as it's commercial equivalent (also goes for OSs as well). Right or wrong, that's another mentality that needs to be taken care of.
There are quite a few misconceptions about what is/isn't Linux/FOSS etc and that's where having direction, focus helps clearly take care of things. It's confusing coming into the Linux world, especially if one isn't tech savvy and that leads to another misconception that GNU/Linux is only for the niche extreme power user group. Shoot, there are some people that think using the CLI is still required (depending on which distro that may be true), but not in all instances.Lenovo Thinkstation: Xeon E5 CPU 32GB ECC Ram KDE Neon
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Ah! Power and control! I can relate to that!
Rather than let this thread drift go on, let's agree that there is an argument for a more standardized desktop, ok? Even if there will never be complete acceptance by all users. I might use it if it appears, but I might not, just out of my unwillingness to be corralled and directed. That is one reason I like Linux so much.Kubuntu 24.11 64bit under Kernel 6.11.0, Hp Pavilion, 6MB ram. Stay away from all things Google...
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Originally posted by WWDERWI think that there should be a single core option that is rallied behind ...Originally posted by TWPonKubuntuThe idea of having a single desktop, or even just one which has majority support from users, is kind of (a lot) scary... One Ring to Rule Them All
That's a very negative view on things, and I don't really see it quite that badly. I used to like Gnome, I just thought KDE is better, but Gnome 3 went and still goes in directions much closer to Windows and the Mac OS that I don't like.
Originally posted by TWPonKubuntu...let's agree that there is an argument for a more standardized desktop...Regards, John Little
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