Linux for the masses

Linux, my secret love, my secret pain. I enjoy using the open source operating system, especially the Ubuntu distros. I would like to use Linux as my primary operating system - for all my mission critical needs. Unfortunately I can't use it as my primary operating system... in fact I can hardly use it as little more than a novelty before switching out of Linux to Windows XP to get real work done. Linux has come a long... and I do mean LONG way since the early days of Mandrake and Lin4Win... but it still has a long way to go... here is what I think Linux distros could do to make the transition easier.

1. Linux installs easily enough; however, if you encounter a problem you are screwed. After you get Linux installed prepare for the esoteric process of installing your videocard's 3D drivers. Not that'll do you much good since getting games to play on Linux is a god damn nightmare. Soooo... 3D drivers need to be installed from the get go by the installation program. A recovery console (GUI based) for fubar'd installations needs to be implemented, and finally someone has to come up with something better than WINE for playing Windows based games.

2. Give me something I don't or can't make Windows do. I can download free programs to make Windows look however I want. I can tinker with the start menu, sort folders, download windows search for uber fast searches, download Desktop sidebar for weather, clocks, and other widgets. I can download free firewalls, virus scanners, spyware scanners, and other tools to maximize my performance. Linux is free, and comes with some nice tools, but honestly its nothing I can't make Windows do... Linux is more secure... but c'mon... that's because about 10 people use Linux and everyone else uses Windows or Macs.

3. Esoteric command lines suck. I don't want to /dev or /bash or /mount to get something to work. Especially /mount... that is stupid. Command lines are stupid. I gave up command lines when I graduated from Dos to Windows 3.11. Using command lines does not make you cool or an uber geek, they make you a stupid lamer for not using a GUI. If Apple can make Mac OS X work on a Unix derivitive without the need for command lines then the Linux community can too. Linux should just work, there should be no need for intrusive or obtuse command line terminals to get your hardware, networking, or other necessities to work.

4. Itunes... yep I said it. Itunes. Linux does not support Itunes... I could get my music from somewhere else... Rhapsody maybe... but since I have already sunk money into itunes the thought of switching to a different service just makes me angry and sad. Native support for Itunes, that would be great.

Here is the crux of it. I can pay a premium for a valid licensed copy of Windows XP... in reality I would rather pay the $150.00 premium for an operating system that I know works with all of my hardware and software. I can shell out $150 once, then load the operating system with good, solid, and free software such as Open Office, CDBurner XP, CCleaner, AVG or Threat Fire, and still be able to play games, surf the net, and have a generally good user experience.

Yes I could pay nothing for Linux... since I am a gamer I really can't do anything with Linux so I get what I pay for. I think the biggest problem is that Linux grognards and afficiandos really want to keep Linux out of the hands of the common folk so that they can continue to lift it up and expound upon how secure and stable it is... and how easy it is to use... as long as you have a PhD in Computer Programming and are very familiar with Unix based command lines.

C'mon!!! If Apple can make a Unix derivative work for Mac OS X then the Linux community can make something just as good and stable with the ability to be compatible with more mainstream software.

K, I'm done bitching... l8r.