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Criticism of desktop Linux

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Criticism of desktop Linux is a history of comment on the perceived shortcomings of the Linux operating system when installed on desktop computers. These criticisms have been aimed at the plethora of issues and lack of consistency between Linux distributions, their usefulness and ease of use as desktop systems for general end users, driver support and issues with multi-media playback and audio development.

Criticism of desktop Linux
Linux Mint is a popular Linux distribution targeted at desktop users.[1]

While smartphones running the Linux-based Android mobile operating system dominate the smartphone market,[2][3] and Linux is used on most servers,[4] as of 2021 exclusively run on the world's 500 fastest supercomputers,[5] and is used on the New York Stock Exchange,[6] Linux-based operating systems have failed to achieve widespread adoption on personal computers.[7]

Viability of Linux as a desktop system

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See also: Desktop adoption of Linux

Linus Torvalds has expressed that he intended the Linux kernel to be used in desktop operating systems.[8][9][10] He argues that Android is widely used because it comes pre-installed on new phones, and that Linux distributions would need to be bundled on new computers to gain market share.

Linux has been criticized for a number of reasons, including lack of user-friendliness[11] and having a steep learning curve,[12] being inadequate for desktop use, lacking support for some hardware, having a relatively small games library, and lacking native versions of widely used applications.[13]

Some critics do not believe Linux will ever gain a large share in the desktop market. In May 2009 Preston Gralla, contributing editor to Computerworld.com, believed that Linux would never be important to desktop/notebook users, even though he felt it was simple and straightforward to use, but that its low usage was indicative of its low importance in the desktop market.[14]

In his essay Luxury of Ignorance: An Open-Source Horror Story, Eric S. Raymond stated that the lack of usability in many open-source and Linux tools is not from lack of manuals but from a lack of thought about the users' experience.[15]

James Donald from Princeton University analyzed shared library concepts of several operating systems. In his 2003 paper titled Improved Portability of Shared Libraries, he worried about the lack of a Windows Application Compatibility Group equivalent.[16]

Missed opportunities

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Desktop Linux was criticized in late 2010 for having missed its opportunity to become a significant force in desktop computing. PC World executive editor Robert Stroh Meyer commented that although Linux has exceptional security and stability, as well as great performance and usability, the time for desktop Linux to succeed has been missed.[17] Nick Farrell, writing for TechEye, felt that the release of the poorly-received Windows Vista was a missed opportunity to grab significant market share.[18]

Both critics indicated that Linux did not fail on the desktop due to being "too geeky," "too hard to use," or "too obscure". Both had praise for distributions, Stroh Meyer saying "the best-known distribution, Ubuntu, has received high marks for usability from every major player in the technology press". Both laid the blame for this failure on the open-source community. Stroh Meyer named the "fierce ideology of the open-source community at large"[17] as being responsible, while Farrell stated "The biggest killer of putting penguin software on the desktop was the Linux community. If you think the Apple fanboys are completely barking, they are role models of sanity to the loudmouthed Open Sauce religious loonies who are out there. Like many fundamentalists they are totally inflexible — waving a GNU as if it were handed down by God to Richard Stallman".[18]

The accusation of over-zealous advocacy has been dealt with previously; in 2006 Dominic Humphries stated that the aims of the Linux community are not desktop market-share or popularity, but in Linux being the best operating system that can be made for the community.[19][unreliable source?]

Criticisms

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Choice and fragmentation

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A criticism often leveled against Linux is the abundance of distributions available.[20][21] As of July 2023, DistroWatch lists 250 active distributions.[22] Critics cite the large number as cause for confusion to prospective users and argue it is a factor preventing the widespread adoption of Linux on consumer desktops.[23][21] Alexander Wolfe wrote in InformationWeek:

Remember the 1980s worries about how the "forking" of Unix could hurt that operating system's chances for adoption? That was nothing compared to the mess we've got today with Linux, where upwards of 300 distributions vie for the attention of computer users seeking an alternative to Windows.[24]

Along with the argument that forking and the resulting fragmentation divides and wastes development efforts and resources, it is asserted that the lack of standardization between distributions for software libraries, package managers, configurations, as well as the varied desktop environments, leads to incompatibilities that make the work of application developers and software maintainers more difficult, since applications have to be adapted to run on each distribution or family of distributions.[21][25] This fragmentation also complicates software installation, forcing non-technical users who cannot build applications from source and resolve dependency issues by themselves to rely on precompiled packages from distribution-specific software repositories, which have a more or less limited selection of applications and typically lag behind the latest releases, as the software has to be picked up by the software maintainer and packaged to run on the specific distribution and release.[26][27] Caitlyn Martin from LinuxDevCenter wrote critically on the lack of standardization and compatibility between distributions:

We don't need to keep reinventing Linux, creating distributions that put critical bits in interesting and inventive if unusual places. An application written for Linux should be relatively simple to install on any Linux distribution. It ain't so. Do we really need hundreds of general purpose distributions, all with different tools, different filesystem layouts, variations on three major software package management schemes and a host of oddball ones, and so on? Do we need yet more to crop up?[28]

However, Linux advocates have defended the large number of distributions as promoting of freedom of choice and describe the diversity as a key strength.[29] Jim Lynch from InfoWorld wrote:

I think it's really this diversity of choice that has protected Linux, and given it its strong niche outside the control of one company or entity. You can't say the same about Windows or OS X, which are solely controlled by Microsoft and Apple. Whatever choices Apple or Microsoft make, you're pretty much stuck with them, and that just isn't true about Linux.[30]

Attempts have been made to standardize Linux distributions through the Linux Standard Base in order to make software more compatible across distributions; however, it had very limited adoption. Projects such as AppImage, Flatpak, and Snappy are seeking to remedy the issue of software fragmentation by instead packaging applications with all the required dependencies to enable them to run as portable applications independent of the libraries, configuration and idiosyncrasies of a particular distribution, but even this approach has been criticized of fragmentation.[21][31]

Third-party application development

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Linux desktop operating systems are criticized for the difficulty of developing third-party applications for the platforms, with distribution fragmentation, insistence on using shared libraries instead of including the libraries with the application, and lack of concern given to keeping APIs consistent and backwards compatible being cited as factors.[32][33] This particularly causes difficulties for closed-source applications, which are distributed exclusively as binaries, since the burden of ensuring compatibility with the myriad of Linux distributions and release versions is borne solely by the developer. Dirk Hohndel, VMware's Chief Open Source Officer, criticized the lack of standardization across distributions for creating an unfriendly environment for application development, writing that it "basically tells app developers ‘go away, focus on platforms that care about applications.'"[21] Miguel de Icaza, founder of the GNOME desktop environment, regards the disregard of backwards compatibility as a cultural issue with the Linux development community:

Backwards compatibility, and compatibility across Linux distributions is not a sexy problem. It is not even remotely an interesting problem to solve. Nobody wants to do that work, everyone wants to innovate, and be responsible for the next big feature in Linux. So Linux was left with idealists that wanted to design the best possible system without having to worry about boring details like support and backwards compatibility.[33]

Tony Mobily, editor of Free Software Magazine, identified problems in the server roots of Linux in his article 2009: software installation in GNU/Linux is still broken – and a path to fixing it:

Every GNU/Linux distribution at the moment (including Ubuntu) confuses system software with end user software, whereas they are two very different beasts which should be treated very, very differently.[34]

In August 2014 on the DebConf in Portland Linus Torvalds also voiced his unhappiness with the binary application packaging for the Linux distro ecosystem:

One of the things, none of the distributions have ever done right is application packaging [...] making binaries for linux desktop applications is a major fucking pain in the ass.[32]

Audio development

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The lack of strong API standards for multimedia has been criticised. For example, the Adobe Systems development blog penguin.SWF discusses the complicated Linux audio infrastructure in the analysis Welcome to the jungle. The nearly one dozen actively supported systems are called an audio jungle.[35]

PulseAudio main developer Lennart Poettering stated that it is very difficult for programmers to know which audio API to use for which purpose.[36]

Driver support

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Linux has in the past been criticized for a lack of driver support; however, this was largely due to manufacturers not supporting the Linux system.[37] It wasn't until 2004 that ATI started development of Linux drivers.[38] Major adoption of Linux in servers and Android has encouraged driver development for Linux.[citation needed]

Wireless support

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Wireless driver support has been a problem area for Linux. At one time many drivers were missing and users were required to use solutions such as ndiswrapper, which utilizes drivers made for the Windows operating system. Broadcom was particularly criticized for not releasing drivers.[39] This issue was also worked around by extracting proprietary firmware for use on Linux.[40] Broadcom has since released free and open-source drivers for the Linux kernel, eliminating the issues for modern Broadcom chipsets.[41]

The problem has been largely fixed in recent years and there are now a fairly large number of drivers, adding support to most wireless cards available today. However, many features are still missing from these drivers, mostly due to manufacturers not providing specifications and documentation, and thus forcing developers to reverse engineer cards.[42]

Directory structure

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The traditional directory structure, which is a heritage from Linux's Unix roots in the 1970s, has been criticized as inappropriate for desktop end users.[43][44] In particular, the Linux directory structure is criticized for scattering application-specific components in different system directories instead of keeping them in a common application-specific directory.[34] Some Linux distributions like GoboLinux[45] and moonOS have proposed alternative hierarchies that were argued to be easier for end users, though such proposals have achieved little acceptance.[46][47]

Recent developments and counterarguments

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Despite these criticisms, significant progress has been made in addressing many of the challenges associated with desktop Linux in recent years.[48]

User-Friendliness and Ease of Use

Many modern Linux distributions have become more user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces and streamlined setup processes. Desktop environments like GNOME and KDE have evolved to offer a more polished and consistent experience.

Hardware Compatibility

Driver support has improved significantly, with most common hardware components now well-supported by Linux. While there may still be occasional compatibility issues, they are generally less prevalent than in the past.

Software Ecosystem

The Linux software ecosystem has expanded significantly, with a wide range of applications available for various needs. While there may still be gaps compared to proprietary operating systems, the availability of open-source alternatives and compatibility with Windows and macOS software has improved.

Gaming

Gaming on Linux has also made strides, with many popular games being ported to the platform and with the support of initiatives like Proton, which enables running Windows games on Linux.

Enterprise Adoption

Linux's success in server environments has contributed to a growing perception of its stability and reliability. This has led to increased adoption in enterprise desktop environments, where it is often used alongside Windows.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ DistroWatch (August 2012). "Linux Distributions – Facts and Figures". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  2. ^ "IDC: Smartphone OS Market Share". www.idc.com.
  3. ^ "Gartner Says Tablet Sales Continue to Be Slow in 2015". 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  4. ^ "OS Market Share and Usage Trends". W3Cook.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2015.
  5. ^ "List Statistics". TOP500. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  6. ^ Jorge Ribas (5 Nov 2015). "The kernel of the argument". Washington Post. Fast, flexible and free, Linux is taking over the online world. But there is growing unease about security weaknesses.
  7. ^ "NetMarketShare Desktop Operating System Market Share". Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  8. ^ Q&A session with Linus Torvalds: Why is Linux not competitive on desktop?. 15 June 2012 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Linus Torvalds Interviewed on Stage at LinuxCon + CloudOpen Europe 2013. Linux Foundation. 23 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Sean Michael Kerner (2014-08-20). "Linux Founder Linus Torvalds 'Still Wants the Desktop'". eweek.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
  11. ^ Betz, Joseph (2006-06-19). "An email to Eric Raymond, regarding my adventures in LiveCD Linux -or- Why Bill Gates is Still Rich". www.newhorizonssucks.net. Archived from the original on 2010-08-03. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  12. ^ Sharon Machlis (22 March 2007). "Living (and dying) with Linux in the workplace – A brief foray into Linux for the enterprise". Computerworld. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  13. ^ Andy McCue (9 September 2005). "Gartner sounds desktop Linux warning". ZNet.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  14. ^ Gralla, Preston (May 2009). "Opinion: Why you shouldn't care about Linux on the desktop". Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
  15. ^ Raymond, Eric S. (2006-04-11). "Luxury of Ignorance: An Open-Source Horror Story". www.catb.org/~esr/. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  16. ^ Donald, James (25 January 2003). "Improved Portability of Shared Libraries" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  17. ^ a b Strohmeyer, Robert (October 2010). "Desktop Linux: The Dream Is Dead". PC World. Retrieved 12 November 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ a b Farrell, Nick (October 2010). "Linux's chance has gone: Desktop dream deader than a Norwegian Blue". Tech Eye. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2010. There was an opportunity for it to happen. Canonical had got its Ubuntu Operating System up to speed and Redmond was still shipping its piss poor Vista Operating System. Even Apple's Leopard was nothing to write home about. But it didn't happen and now it is unlikely to do so. While Linux will rule supreme on the server it will never make it to the desktop.
  19. ^ Humphries, Dominic (December 2005). "Linux is Not Windows". Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  20. ^ Woodward, Matt (4 April 2003). "Free Software: Some choice = good; too much choice = bad". ars technica. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  21. ^ a b c d e Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (13 November 2018). "The Linux desktop: With great success comes great failure". Computerworld. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  22. ^ "Search Distributions". distrowatch.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  23. ^ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. "The Linux desktop is in trouble". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  24. ^ Wolfe, Alexander (18 July 2007). "Too Many Linux Distros Make For Open Source Mess". InformationWeek. UBM Technology Group. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  25. ^ MacCarthy, Mark (12 July 2018). "Open source mobile operating systems need to control fragmentation". CIO.
  26. ^ Larabel, Michael (6 October 2016). "The Leading Linux Desktop Platform Issues Of 2018 - Phoronix". www.phoronix.com. Phoronix Media. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  27. ^ Hoffman, Chris. "How Software Installation & Package Managers Work On Linux". How-To Geek. How-to-Geek, LLC.
  28. ^ Martin, Caitlyn. "O'Reilly Media - Technology and Business Training". www.oreilly.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2010.
  29. ^ Martin, Caitlyn (4 September 2010). "Are You Intimidated By Breakfast Cereal?". Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  30. ^ Lynch, Jim (19 August 2013). "Linux offers real diversity on the desktop". www.infoworld.com. IDG Communications. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  31. ^ "What Is AppImage in Linux?". Make Tech Easier. 15 July 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  32. ^ a b Daniel Gillmore; Ana Guerrerero López (2014-08-29). "Q&A with Linus Torvalds" (video). DebConf 2014 Portland. debian.net. Retrieved 2014-09-04. 6:00: One of the things, none of the distributions have ever done right is application packaging [...] making binaries for linux desktop applications is a major fucking pain in the ass
  33. ^ a b de Icaza, Miguel (29 August 2012). "What Killed the Linux Desktop". tirania.org.
  34. ^ a b Mobily, Tony (2009-06-23). "2009: software installation in GNU/Linux is still broken -- and a path to fixing it". www.freesoftwaremagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  35. ^ "Welcome To The Jungle". blogs.adobe.com/penguin.swf. 2007-05-11. Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  36. ^ Poettering, Lennart (2008-09-24). "A Guide Through The Linux Sound API Jungle". 0pointer.de/blog. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  37. ^ "Gigabyte response to ACPI problem under Linux: Use windows, we do not support Linux". phoronix.com.
  38. ^ Larabel, Michael (2006-06-01). "Preface". Phoronix. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  39. ^ Proffitt, Brian (2010-10-08). "What Do Broadcom Drivers Mean for Linux Uptake?". Enterprise Networking Planet. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  40. ^ Conneally [sic], Tim (2010-09-09). "Broadcom throws Linux a bone, open sources Wi-Fi drivers". betanews. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  41. ^ Ptasinski, Henry (2010-09-09). "Full-source Broadcom wireless driver for 11n chips". Archived from the original on 2013-09-02. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  42. ^ "List of drivers on wireless.kernel.org". Archived from the original on 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  43. ^ van Riezen, Pim (2003-02-24). "Designing object extensions for the Unix Operating Systems". www.kuro5hin.org/story. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  44. ^ Scheinberg, Adam (2003-02-24). "If I Had My Own Distro". www.osnews.com. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  45. ^ Muhammad, Hisham (2003-05-09). "The Unix tree rethought: an introduction to GoboLinux". www.kuro5hin.org. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
  46. ^ "The GoboLinux directory structure brings a fresh, clean look the Linux system...", 2003, GoboLinux.org
  47. ^ "moonOS has its own File Hierarchy System..." Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  48. ^ "Linux on the Desktop: A Growing Alternative". FussionHost. 5 August 2024. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024.
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