| Revision as of 00:27, 25 April 2007 editSirGrant (talk | contribs)1,945 edits →Relationship with Windows: removing uncomplete statemetn← Previous edit | Revision as of 13:21, 8 May 2007 edit undoJaganath (talk | contribs)1,872 editsm →HistoryNext edit → | ||
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| Beginning in the latter 90's, a few ] companies, such as ], began to advertise their systems for low-end desktop computers. However, it was not until Apple released the first version of ], a UNIX-like system, that Linux began to be seen as a serious alternative to ]'s ] operating system on desktop computers, in both corporate and home environments. | Beginning in the latter 90's, a few ] companies, such as ], began to advertise their systems for low-end desktop computers. However, it was not until Apple released the first version of ], a UNIX-like system, that Linux began to be seen as a serious alternative to ]'s ] operating system on desktop computers, in both corporate and home environments. | ||
| Since the turn of the 21st century, a growing number of Linux, and even ], distributions have originated with a dedication to the desktop market. Perhaps the most famous of these distributions, as of 2007, is ]'s ] distribution. | Since the turn of the 21st century, a growing number of Linux, and even ], distributions have originated with a dedication to the desktop market. Perhaps the most famous/popular of these distributions, as of 2007, is ]'s ] distribution. | ||
| ==Advantages== | ==Advantages== | ||
Revision as of 13:21, 8 May 2007
Desktop Linux, also Linux on the desktop (LOTD) is the application of the GNU/Linux operating system on a desktop computer.
History
Historically, UNIX and other Unix-like operating systems have been utilized on servers, mainframes, and workstations in corporate or scientific environments.
Beginning in the latter 90's, a few Linux distribution companies, such as MandrakeSoft, began to advertise their systems for low-end desktop computers. However, it was not until Apple released the first version of Mac OS X, a UNIX-like system, that Linux began to be seen as a serious alternative to Microsoft's Windows operating system on desktop computers, in both corporate and home environments.
Since the turn of the 21st century, a growing number of Linux, and even BSD-based, distributions have originated with a dedication to the desktop market. Perhaps the most famous/popular of these distributions, as of 2007, is Canonical's Ubuntu distribution.
Advantages
Desktop Linux has long been touted by its users, vendors, and advocates as a more security-conscious, stable OS for the desktop computer, compared to Microsoft Windows, which has been criticized throughout its history for its security and stability problems.
Applications
Most Desktop Linux distributions are developed and deployed with an assortment of applications developed by third-party projects, such as KDE, GNOME, GIMP, Mozilla Firefox, and OpenOffice. This is to make sure that the user will be less prone to looking for basic applications which he/she may be lacking.
3D user interfaces
In addition, with the development of Xgl and other hardware-accelerated user interface architectures, 3D environments have experienced greater demand from both potential and veteran Desktop Linux users.
Disadvantages
Applications
Desktop Linux has also been maligned for its lack of name-brand applications in comparison to their more "closed" counterparts, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. In response, Desktop Linux advocates have blamed the more recognized application vendors, such as Adobe Systems, for their alleged shunning of Desktop Linux systems and users in favor of users of either Windows or Mac OS X.
Drivers
The aforementioned 3D user interface environments also have come under scrutiny because of the usage of closed-source drivers for the graphic cards, from Nvidia or ATI upon which the environments are dependent; this is problematic for most Desktop Linux distributions, as redistribution of such drivers by third parties is prohibited by the EULAs placed on the drivers. In response, independent developers have reverse-engineered the drivers, providing their works under permissive licenses for redistribution by Desktop Linux vendors.
In addition, in 2006, freedesktop.org began a project called "Nouveau" in order to create open-source drivers for Nvidia cards.
Installation
The experience of installing a Linux distribution on a desktop computer varies from person to person. While a number of ways to use a Desktop Linux distribution exist, the barriers of entry remain high for many speculative users.