Linux is about to take over the desktop but not like you think it will

jeremy · 04-15-2014, 01:01 PM

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Summary: You'd better get ready for the personal computing, BYOD, and corporate computing revolution. Linux is coming to a desktop near you. But not like you think or had hoped. It's coming in the form of the Chrome OS on Chromebooks.

For years I've heard that year X is the year of the Linux desktop and I've always scoffed at it. I scoffed because it's ridiculous to think that Linux or Mac OS X or anything could supplant Windows on the desktop. That is until now. And don't get me wrong, it won't happen for at least another year in businesses but for personal computing and BYOD, it's already happening. The Linux that's taking over the desktop is called the Chrome OS and it will happen on the Chromebook device.

Yes, I know I write a lot about Chromebooks but they fascinate me. I'm kind of obsessed by them. I wish that I had been more receptive to them two years ago when I first saw one. But I guess there's a time and a place for everything. And it just wasn't my time yet.

But the business Chromebook revolution is about to happen and either you'll be part of it or you'll be left behind.

Fortunately, the learning curve isn't very steep. You can easily catch up. Chromebooks are easy to use.

For business, Chromebooks make sense because they're inexpensive, secure, and reliable. No moving parts is a very good thing.

But let's get back to the whole idea of subverting Windows with the ChromeOS. It's Linux and it's the desktop.

The primary drivers behind this idea of desktop Windows displacement are:

Interface - People don't like Windows 8.x.
Price - People are tired of the constant hardware, software, and OS upgrade cycle.
Security - People are tired of viruses, malware, and hacks.
Loss - People are tired of losing data when a disk crashes or a device is stolen.
Battery Life - Mobile users need longer battery life.

More (including the rest of the list) at ZDNet...

What are your thoughts on Linux adoption via Chromebooks? Also, a reminder that in addition to LQ, The Questions Network also has a Chrome OS related site: ChromeOSQuestions.org

--jeremy

Drakeo · 04-15-2014, 01:34 PM

Very interesting Cloud computers or the Cloud OS's are a way the digital world wants to go. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

And I wonder how people feel about all there data being accessed by admin at a stroke of a key. I am sure they have figured a way around this.
That has been My main draw back from the Cloud. My bussiness is my business.
But like you I find it wonderful to see this linux backed OS's growing. It really does make since for the mobile world.

metaschima · 04-15-2014, 01:48 PM

Chrome OS and Android are NOT Linux except for the kernel. They are developed by google, the Android SDK is NOT FLOSS, the security of Android is non-existent, and there are numerous privacy issues with Chrome the most recent and damming of which is:
http://www.ibtimes.com/google-chrome...ations-1569646

So, it's not Linux that is taking over, it is Google, whose New Years resolution is to not be evil, and it always fails to keep up with it. I want nothing to do with Google as they have taken the lead away from M$ and unlike M$ have a real chance of corrupting Linux.

TobiSGD · 04-15-2014, 02:16 PM

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Originally Posted by metaschima

Chrome OS and Android are NOT Linux except for the kernel.

Linux is nothing more than a kernel. The rest is userland, which anybody can choose how they see fit.

metaschima · 04-15-2014, 03:51 PM

Alright, GNU/Linux then. My point is, if you take GNU out of Linux, what are you left with ? Tivo.

cwizardone · 04-15-2014, 04:16 PM

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Originally Posted by metaschima

Chrome OS and Android are NOT Linux except for the kernel. They are developed by google, the Android SDK is NOT FLOSS, the security of Android is non-existent, and there are numerous privacy issues with Chrome the most recent and damming of which is:
http://www.ibtimes.com/google-chrome...ations-1569646

So, it's not Linux that is taking over, it is Google, whose New Years resolution is to not be evil, and it always fails to keep up with it. I want nothing to do with Google as they have taken the lead away from M$ and unlike M$ have a real chance of corrupting Linux.

Ditto!
Plus after all we have learned this last year concerning the NSA, etc., why would anyone park their personal and/or business data on a third party server over the Internet?

Myk267 · 04-15-2014, 04:54 PM

How come the future always seems so limited and disempowering?

metaschima · 04-15-2014, 04:58 PM

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Originally Posted by Myk267

How come the future always seems so limited and disempowering?

Keep asking that, and if you really want to know, you will find out.

TobiSGD · 04-15-2014, 05:09 PM

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Originally Posted by metaschima

Alright, GNU/Linux then. My point is, if you take GNU out of Linux, what are you left with ? Tivo.

So if I have a Linux kernel and put a BSD licensed userland (or go with a GPL2 userland) on top (which I have done already in my last workplace for custom single purpose systems) I suddenly have Tivo? Sorry, but I disagree. Linux is a mere kernel and anything that runs a Linux kernel is by definition a Linux distribution, there is no requirement for GPL3 or similar licenses.
Android is Linux, ChromeOS (and its free cousin ChromiumOS) are Linux.

metaschima · 04-15-2014, 07:36 PM

Call them what you will, but they are not Linux to me. They run the Linux kernel, but the spirit of FLOSS (GNU GPL) is not there. IMO, that is the fundamental part of Linux and doing away with that does away with Linux. BSD is not Linux either, and I wouldn't call Linux kernel + BSD user-space Linux either.

TobiSGD · 04-15-2014, 07:43 PM

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Originally Posted by metaschima

Call them what you will, but they are not Linux to me. They run the Linux kernel, but the spirit of FLOSS (GNU GPL) is not there. IMO, that is the fundamental part of Linux and doing away with that does away with Linux. BSD is not Linux either, and I wouldn't call Linux kernel + BSD user-space Linux either.

So you just exchange the definition of "GNU/Linux distribution" with "Linux distribution". Nothing I can and want argue with, all I can do here is to say: I disagree (and I guess Linus would, too). Funnily, the headline of this thread is "Linux is about to take over the desktop but not like you think it will", but not "GNU/Linux is about to take over the desktop but not like you think it will".

Steve R. · 04-16-2014, 09:37 AM

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Originally Posted by Drakeo

Very interesting Cloud computers or the Cloud OS's are a way the digital world wants to go. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

Be afraid, very afraid. Cloud computing may offer many advantages, but the computer user looses their freedom in the process. What happens when the cloud service is "vaporized" either through cancellation of the service or an inability to connect. Moreover, there is the issue of the cloud provider reaching into your computer to conduct so-called "tweaks". Amazon a few years back was caught removing (ironically) Orwell books from the Kindle because they were "erroneously" sold.

szboardstretcher · 04-16-2014, 09:45 AM

What happens when your local server 100 feet away in the closet 'vaporizes' because of a power spike, or the NIC and Video go bad at the same time, so you can't connect and can't see anything?

Never put all your eggs in one basket.

TobiSGD · 04-16-2014, 09:58 AM

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Originally Posted by Steve R.

Be afraid, very afraid. Cloud computing may offer many advantages, but the computer user looses their freedom in the process. What happens when the cloud service is "vaporized" either through cancellation of the service or an inability to connect.

I wouldn't be afraid of that, you should have a backup of your data anyways. I would be more concerned with privacy and security issues when storing sensible data in the cloud.

Drakeo · 04-16-2014, 12:47 PM

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Originally Posted by szboardstretcher

What happens when your local server 100 feet away in the closet 'vaporizes' because of a power spike, or the NIC and Video go bad at the same time, so you can't connect and can't see anything?

Never put all your eggs in one basket.

I have back up of my stuff online. in a couple places. what makes the Cloud so much better they make three copy's and run on the fourth. but what copy is the one you need.
I agree with cloud computing for many things but back up. is back up if it is that important do not leave it up to some one else.
To me cloud is a alternative for another back up.