Where Can Linux Leap Ahead - Part 2
If you missed the first part, here is a quick summary. Otherwise, just skip this part.
In this series of articles, I discuss broad groups of computer users, the ties they have to existing platforms, and the potential attractions of Linux to them. In the previous part, I covered two types of home users (see the first part) and argued that neither type cares much about the advantages and disadvantages of operating systems and, therefore, these users are not a promising market for Linux.
In this part I will cover small and large businesses as well as creative professionals.
Large Businesses
Example: Big corporations with thousands of employees and a large Windows-tied technology system.
Although getting large businesses to use Linux would make thousands and thousands of people familiar with Linux, most large businesses already have a huge investment in the Windows world in terms of both hardware and software, so it may be almost impossible to convince big businesses to switch to Linux, except for a few specialized applications such as servers.
Small Businesses
Example: Startup/less than 100 employee companies that have a lot less investment in technology and care about saving money on technology
Small businesses may be one of the best markets to push Linux to. Smaller businesses are often very cost sensitive and don’t necessarily have a large existing investment in the Windows world, so they may be easy to convince that Linux is the best choice for them. In addition, if small businesses adopt Linux, more and more home users will start to become familiar with Linux.
Creative Professional
Example: People who work with audio, video, and graphics in smaller businesses
Many creative professionals are currently tied to the Mac and Adobe applications, but very few are tied to a large business system. In addition, they often use expensive hardware and expensive hardware means big profits for the sellers. Previously, this money has been going to Apple, but if creative professionals began to move to Linux, many hardware vendors would be more interested in selling Linux on their machines. All Linux would need to pull creative professionals to Linux is to create some good applications, either open-source or closed-source, to compete with the Adobe applications. This may be another group that Linux should focus on.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Education is also another growth area. Always under-funded, cost is a huge factor. LTSP is great for schools as they are the size of SMBs but with far less complex needs. GCompris for early years, browsers/interactive websites for middle-years and up does a lot for a little. Students and teachers do not have a lot invested in infrastructure so it is not difficult to turn current machines into thin clients and add a server to cover most of a school. That is return on investment.
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:42 pm
I think Linux is real close to being able to bring in low budget indie media makers. Blender is great and comparable to maya. Linux audio creation is not to shabby from what I hear. Where Linux need help is video and image editing both these areas are far behind commercial counterparts.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:24 pm
[...] you missed the first part or the second part, here is a quick summary. Otherwise, just skip this [...]
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:04 am
For me, Linux needs to first attract the following groups:
- Computer Science Students (that does not mean geeks). How many of them use Linux at home? If they are in charge of a server, and have to chose what would they chose?
To attract these we need to improve usability and easy of use, not only developing and server activities.
- Public Services and administrations:
Some governments are forcing administrations to use open formats and that’s the way to go. But not also that, computers in the libraries, schools, and public computers (the only do browsing most of the time) have to begin to use Linux for them. They don’t allow installing applications most of the times and they are always full of virus, so it makes perfect sense.
- Developing countries:
Windows is expensive and requires a high end machine.
- Mobile devices (phones, PDAs, UMPC, …)
Windows is too heavy for these. Windows mobile is not good.
Once this is done, computer scientists will feel confident with Linux, knowing that they won’t have to spend hours to configure a device, they feel safe to propose install Linux in a server if they have the chance.
There has also to be room for commercial applications in Linux, any free application is going to be a professional replacement for autocad or photoshop.
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Until Ubuntu 7.04, I wanted to install Linux on my machine but I was never able to fully set it up (everything working).
How could I propose to use Linux at work if I was unable to make it work at home?
This is being fixed with new distributions, and at least now people who already likes Linux, is able to actually use it.
That’s one step in the right direction.
December 23rd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
You will find it nearly impossible to switch graphics people away from Macintoshes. Windows is perfectly suitable for these people, yet they won’t switch because they have always used Macs. If Windows, with the same software as is available on the Macintosh, can’t get this segment of the user base, what chance does Linux have?
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 am
home businesses…
I don\’t understand it….