technologyNovember 18, 2003

Disagree with Linus

I've never personally met Linus Torvalds but I have tremendous respect for what he's done. In a recent interview he said it would take 5-10 years for 'normal users' to start seeing a Linux desktop. I'm going to have to politely disagree.

Computers are now coming to store shelves preinstalled with Linux, which means the mass market won't have to wait 5-10 years. More than 800 stores in Mexico now have Linux computers on their shelves. Behind the scenes, Microsoft is continuing to threaten companies to try slowing the adoption of desktop Linux — threatening lawsuits, downgrading technical support, using financial leverage.

Linus is right that the first adopters of desktop Linux are technical people. I believe the next wave comes from the other end of the spectrum: computer users looking for affordable basic computing. I'll be sending Linus the latest copy of LindowsOS so he can try it out.

--MR

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