Our Linux Dream
In the coming year, I can guarantee that a lot will happen. What I want to know, though, is what you want to happen (related to Linux.) While everyone is making predictions for 2008, I decided to create a list of what I want to happen, not what I think will happen. Please leave a comment saying what you want to happen in 2008 (related in some way to Linux.) it does not have to be realistic at all, but it can be. Later this year, I will compile the most popular/interesting ones into a list. Here is what I want in 2008 as an example:
- An easy way to tell if a piece of hardware is compatible with Linux - This could be a website or a “Certified for Linux” sticker on the box. I don’t care how it works, I just want it to work.
- Microsoft Office for Linux - I don’t even use Office on Windows, but many people need perfect compatibility and, for those people and those who are just used to Office, being able to use Office on Linux natively could help them transition to Linux.
- Great photo/video editing programs for Linux - They don’t have to be professional-grade software, but something for the casual to advanced user.
- Legal codecs bundled with all/most distributions. - I don’t know how it would work, but I would love to have legal codecs bundled with most distros, not just commercial ones.
- A fresh start on the desktop - I would like to see a group of people get together and forget how people use computers and start from scratch to come up with a completely new alternative to GNOME or KDE.
Tell me what you want for Linux in 2008, so I can create a big list of the most popular/interesting ideas at the end of the year!
December 24th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Hardware certification would be cool, though you’d have to get hardware manufacturers to care about advertising it. But I spent a lot of time researching compatibility for laptop purchases this year, keeping my fingers crossed. It’d be nice to have some sort of system in place!
Don’t care much for Microsoft Office, especially not as a top five. I’m glad to leave Microsoft and its proprietary software behind, thank you very much.
Also, is there some shortage of photo/video software? I was under the impression that there are quite a few great options, though I’m more of a casual user and am just beginning to dive into the video editing software in Ubuntu Studio.
Legal codecs are definitely not going to happen. That would involve governments rethinking patents entirely. I hope this will happen eventually, but it’s not something that’s going to happen in the course of a year. It’s going to be a long battle.
December 24th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I want people to stop shitting on each other.
I want linux people to stop bashing other linux people.
I want linux people to stop bashing other distros…under the hood, they are all the same as their’s.
I want linux people to stop talking shit about Windows. It’s not that bad.
If you talk shit about Microsoft, thats OK.
December 24th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
I want a standard package management system, and I want it to be as easy to use as the way the Mac handles software installs.
To get away from the terminal, while for the most part you don’t need in distros like Ubuntu it still pops up from time to time. An example is when I had to install a language pack for Adobe Acrobat Reader for someone at work, easy for me to do but way to scary for a new user. So not really the fault of the Linux community I know, more Adobes.
I too would like to see a great easy to use and powerful video editing software package. Something along the line of the great iMovieHD.
There is no Linux distro that looks amazing. There are some that look nice, but (I am sorry to use a MS marketing term) none that look WOW. People use a Mac for the first time and they are normal standing in awe of the amazing look of the GUI. Photo realistic icons, a simple yet beautiful theme and consistency in the way icons are handled. Ubuntu is the distro that really needs this the most as it marketed as the most user friendly ect.. and if it had an amazing theme coupled with Compiz it would really make some in roads into the average users system. But judging of what has been submitted for the Hardy so far, there is nothing that fits this dream.
December 24th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I wish instead of constantly trying to one up people,developers would concentrate on improving apps that are already out there.
December 25th, 2007 at 12:20 am
i want joost to run on linux
i want wine to be perfect and run every windows program i want to run.
i want to run osx programs in linux
i want kde 4 wont make trouble for me
i want to send and get file with kopete properly
i want audio conference in kopete
i want cubase in linux
i want nvidia drivers stops making me troubles when i update the kernel
i want to drivers for my webcam (digital camera that is able to be used as a webcam), maybe a wrapper that let me use the win dows version driver.
i want more games for linux
December 25th, 2007 at 12:25 am
“Microsoft Office for Linux - I don’t even use Office on Windows, but many people need perfect compatibility and, for those people and those who are just used to Office, being able to use Office on Linux natively could help them transition to Linux.”
This is why Microsoft will NOT port Office to Linux. Why would Microsoft want to give people another reason NOT to use Windows as their operating system?
December 25th, 2007 at 12:38 am
I’d like to see Daz finally port Daz Studio to Linux. They already have a Mac version.
I’d love to see one “GAWD, I’ve GOTTA have that!” application developed in Linux and *not* ported to Windows.
December 25th, 2007 at 1:58 am
i want nvidia/ati driver installed already like in madriva 2008
i want wine installed already like in ubuntu 7.0
because here most of us has no internet connection to update
December 25th, 2007 at 3:47 am
1. No terminal: I do not even want to know that there is a terminal.
2. An easier way to install programs offline. (When I see .tgz I see red…)
3. A consistent and unique package management system (deb, rpm, tgz and all… Choice is good, but in this respect I do not need a choice, I need something that just works….
4. Codecs should be installed by default or at least, at install users should have the choice to install codecs… A simple radio button should do…
5. A GUI for every configuration: I do not want to hear about editing xorf.conf or menu.lst again in my life…
6. Better and consistent looks… A matter of personal taste, of course
7. A stable, easy-to-use, low resource window manager (let’s say a stable Enlightenment-like)
8. Winmodems should work very easy
9. Better and up-to-date Linux documentation
10. Ability to use Windows programs which are not available for Linux (not a Linux fault, I know)
December 25th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Dear Santa,
I would like a terminal that is integrated with something similar to the manpages - so I can get instant help about the command I’m trying to use, and a quick way to look up commands, adapt them and use them immediately (no cut and paste trickery).
I would like easy to understand and well documented configuration files. It doesn’t matter if the configuration language needs to be so advanced it’s actually a programming language, as long as it’s not confusing (especially no LISP-like configuration files thank you very much!).
I would like a better text interface in general (although it already is pretty good, of course), instead of those confusing clicky-clicky thingies.
And of course I would like e17 to become the stable version of enlightenment. Yes, even I like eyecandy (as decoration for my terminals
), and I think I should wish for at least one thing that will happen before hell freezes over.
December 25th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Oh, I forgot:
I do not want to see “file generated by footool, DO NOT EDIT” ever again!
December 25th, 2007 at 7:46 am
I wish a better Linux/L4 port (ukernel Linux) just to run/write drivers as userspace apps. And some speedsup in yum.
December 25th, 2007 at 7:55 am
1 = On desktop we can see a big menu and from their we can go anywhere. But make a Linux desktop for user. Like mobile screen we see many icon and from their we go inside,, so make a interface like this. . Administration and configuration should be “completely” hidden from a user.
2 = I want to see a offline viewer of some special site Like tldp.org , wikipedia, wikibooks, and so on,,, a user like my brother who cannot have internet can also see the Internet from his desktop. Only important content will be transmitted off-line in some special format (a single file) , so that It will be easily transferable, copyable and loadable to user’s directory.
3 = Eevry Linux software Must use Autopackage http://autopackage.org/ installtion method
December 25th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Hold on! The Gimp is an advanced image editing program that is available in Linux. DigiKam is a very good beginner’s image editing program and also file managing system for photographs. And, with CrossOver Office, you can install Microsoft Office. Also, there are several distributions that come with the codecs and drivers preinstalled. I don’t know why you think they need a completely new KDE or Gnome. There are many other desktop managers available.
My cry for the new year is for HP to develop drivers for their low-end all in one copiers/printers to work with Linux. Then, low-price Linux computers like the Gos, will promote Linux faster than any “new and improved” Linux distribution.
In my opinion, what “Joe public” wants is a computer that will surf the Internet, provide e-mail, play music, burn CDs and watch DVDs, and have an office suite at as low a cost as possible. IMHO this is exactly what Everex is providing.
December 25th, 2007 at 11:46 am
a consistant way to sync pda (pocket pc) with linux. There are various work throughs inc. raki, opensync, kitchensync, ect. but none that actually sync calendars reliably.
Difficult to install software w/o .cab files also.
In a world full of interfaces the lack of this ability is one that continually frustrates users. Check and distro forum and you will find numerous threads devoted to this subject.
It is one tether to windows that many want severed.
December 25th, 2007 at 11:58 am
I want games like C&C, guld wars, starcrft
December 25th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I wish linux continues as it is now
December 25th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
My wish is simple and realistic. More hardware manufactures provide binary (Linux & BSD) drivers themselves and/or open up their APIs.
December 25th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I’ve seen things change through all the years with Linux. We’ve really overcome some things and now Linux is almost ready for everyone. The idea’s listed above are what needs to be changed. I run Arch with KDEmod, which is a gorgoues GUI, but I’ve never seen anything stock like it. This list is the truth, from the mouth of the users of what needs to be changed. I was excited to read that so many people agree with what I’ve felt. I think we still need our advanced distro’s, and what makes Linux is that you can edit xorg.conf manually…but what keeps it out of the hands of a lot of newbies is that sometimes you still have to manually edit it after so many years. I’m gonna put a link to this page for people to realize what needs to be done on my site…thanks for the thoughts guys
Ed Ellingham
linux-revolution.com
December 25th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Alfredo i feel your pain for the longest time i had crappy internet access. All the ubuntu repos on disk can be purchased from this site
http://www.thelinuxstore.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=123&products_id=1399
December 25th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
I kind of agree with one of the predictions from lugradio, I can’t remember who said it but they predicted that atlest 1 big reputable news outlet will make the statement that linux is bigger than mac os x.
Once we have this admission the landscape should change, if linux is actually the second biggest operating system then people will start to consider porting their applications to linux. With this added popularity the hardware problem will slowly go away, this process has already started. 3+ years ago we where all complaining about graphics hardware, then intel opened up their drivers and amd has followed with helping out the ati open drivers and now nidia is the holdout. Printer driver where also a problem several years ago but this is also something that is improving, remember that linux and mac both use cups so it is not as big an effort anymore.
The linux development process is like the turtle and the hare, windows moves in huge jumps every few years and make great leaps forward.
But linux is completely different, linux works on a basis of continual improvement. Linux is worked on patch by patch in the public, if something breaks everyone tests it and everything moves on slowly.
In the end the turtle wins out because of all the little things that no one notices and who really cares if we ‘win’ the race, we do have a usable system that is free and works.
December 25th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Here’s my wishes/predictions for GNU/Linux in 2008:
1.) GNU/Linux is the next “KILLER APP” for everyone, everywhere! 1,000,000% GNU/Linux/Open Source user adoption. I want people everywhere to know what GNU/Linux and Open Source software is and the benefits they offer. THIS IS THE FUTURE! I want people to support GNU/Linux/OSS and the ideals for which they stand.
2.) Since GNU/Linux will be so popular, I want all software to be ported to GNU/Linux. Perhaps Linux should come up with some common installation platform standards for this purposes. All software should be easy to install and use.
3.) More companies to contribute a slice of all developer work to GNU/Linux and Open Source. Google does it (30%), all other software companies should follow suite. Free as in Arithmetic, that’s what Open software means. We all need software, therefore software should be made and shared and the authors should be honored through ought history (like Einstein, Edison, Galileo, Newton, et al.).
4.) Our first human mission to Mars will involve computers and technology that envelopes GNU/Linux and Open Source software. Think it won’t happen, think again! Take a look at the population growth problem on earth and it quickly becomes obvious that we as humans need to expand to other planets in other universes, the ideals behind GNU/Linux and Open Source are the key. This is a whole-Earth effort that will require the Earth’s major technological experts, based on the ideals surrounding GNU/Linux and Open Source to be successful.
5.) People everywhere will share information with GNU/Linux to a level which nothing on this earth has ever been shared before. This will cure cancer and other problems with humankind. People will realize and embrace the good that technology offers them.
6.) GNU/Linux/Open Source becomes the base platform for all endeavors in computer technology, and is better for it. There’s a very big change that’s happening in our world, and it’s being driven by GNU/Linux. People everywhere will soon embrace the ideals of GNU/Linux and technology and this will carry humankind into the future.
Shannon VanWagner
http://healthysystem.blogspot.com
December 25th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
You can already run Microsoft Office very easily on Linux with Crossover Office.
December 26th, 2007 at 1:55 am
I would like to see sore repositories for rpm’s.
I would like to see a little better control of wireless connections and perhaps make it simpler. This just too obtuse, at present.
More and better explanation (better and more consistent documentation) of the commands. Get rid of the “info” help system. The man pages are great and are quite understandable, the “info” system isn’t.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:05 am
1. It’s best when hardware manufacturers make the documentation available for their hardware so that free software drivers can be written. There’s been a whole programme setup to write free software drivers for any manufacturer that wants them. There’s no longer really any excuse for “Windows-only” hardware.
If you’re shopping for hardware, ask about GNU/Linux support. If sales folks are getting questions about GNU/Linux support sooner or later it’ll work it’s way up the chain. If a device doesn’t have GNU/Linux support, don’t buy it…and mention why you aren’t buying it. Don’t support hardware vendors that don’t support you.
2. Compatibility with Microsoft Office will never happen unless Microsoft opens up the documentation on its file formats…or else the free software community “sells its soul” to Microsoft. Either one of these things isn’t going to happen.
I would much rather promote the use of Open Office and other free software alternatives…if everyone who bought Microsoft Office took 10% of the money they were spending on it and donated it to Open Office (or another free office software project) you’d have some absolutely rip-roaring office suites out there.
90% of MS Office users do not need any of those very few “bells and whistles” that don’t exist in Open Office.
3. Yes this is an area that could use some improvement…but the free software projects are getting there…and it’s only a matter of time. Again, why not donate a few bucks to your favourite free software project?
4. Installation of non-free software codecs on GNU/Linux is only really a legal problem in the U.S. But what really needs to happen is that the use of non-free software codecs should be discouraged.
5. The KDE project has some very interesting things in store on KDE 4.0 On the other hand, the XFCE desktop and others like Fluxbox are great for older slower machines…and there are plenty of those around that will go into landfill sites creating a very nasty environmental problem.
Why not have every GNU/Linux user “rehabilitate” at least one old computer in 2008 and give it away to someone less fortunate.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:30 am
Wishes..
1) For the driver projects run by the Kernel team ,and the automatic printer driver options to be really taken advantage of by hardware makers in 2008 to a dramatic level.
2) For the ultra cheap computer market to explode. Products like the Eee being copied by just about every major manufacturer. And all coming with a slightly custom, or even better, a standard version of some Linux distro.
3) For ODF to be adopted by all EU countries for external publication of documents one by one.
4) For OS bundling to be made illegal for all OEMs.
Of these, the explosion of the low end market is about the most likely, the others, who knows.
December 26th, 2007 at 10:46 am
[...] title of this post occurred to me when I read the post Our Linux Dream. Somehow, even though people get the idea that specialized fields require some experience in that [...]
December 26th, 2007 at 11:00 am
[...] title of this post occurred to me when I read the post Our Linux Dream. Somehow, even though people get the idea that specialized fields require some experience in that [...]
December 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
And here are some more things I’m hoping will be fixed soon:
1.) External monitors for the Linux desktop to work as well as they do in MAC OS X (Particularly since I am running Ubuntu 7.10 on my Macbook with an external mini-dvi adapter and it doesn’t work very well - takes a lot of monkeying to get it to display correctly). The Linux (end-user edition) should be able to jockey external monitors, projectors, etc. - with utmost of ease.
2.) Easy to install/use Linux VPN client for all major firewall/VPN software solutions (i.e., Cisco, Checkpoint, WatchGuard, Fort Knox, Freegate, NetScreen, etc.). The VPN client software is a major requirement for business users to be able to use Linux instead of other operating systems when they leave the office.
3.) Linux Personal Information Manager (PIM)(Email Application) that can connect with Exchange Server (up to the latest version - Evolution can’t do this, yet) to view/edit/use Public Folders, Tasks, Calendar, Notes, and Outlook Web Access (in non-light mode). Linux email information servers such as Zimbra are good too, it’s just that Exchange Server is much more prominent at the current time and so if people could use either server type, Linux adoption would increase.
4.) For Linux to have a pre-installed utility similar to Windows’ System Restore so that if a user biffs up their installation of Linux, it can be easily reverted. While I’m on the subject, Linux should have a utility like Mac OS X timemachine as well, this way people could backup/restore data/OS in Linux with ease.
5.) For Linux to have a better way of encapsulating programs so that if they crash, the user can kill them and get back to using their Linux Box without having to hard-reboot it. I’ve experienced issues concerning this subject mostly with the following situations: 1.)a buggy website displayed via Firefox that just freezes my Ubuntu box 2.) Free games that I install from the Ubuntu repositories often times just totally hose the machine and cause me to have to hard-reboot it.
To be continued…
Thanks to all who contribute to Linux!! You are among the heroes of all time!
Shannon VanWagner
http://healthysystem.blogspot.com
December 26th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Dear SantaLinux
1. I want to be able to ink as I do with WinTabletPC edition in almost all applications.
2. I want my Pocket PC to Sync with Evolution without having to hack the whole system.
3. I want have a good easy to use video editing software.
4. I want to share file across the network with Win machines with no headaches.
5. I don’t want the black windows using Compiz-Fusion
6. I want Linux to continue to be so cool as it has been!
7. I want all my friends to use Linux so I don’t have to re-install their system full of viruses and spywares every 10 days.
8. I want more plug-ins for FF for all those pages I can’t see.
9. I want Libronix and Alamode Wintotal to work in Linux so I can finally stop using Windows.
10. I want to easily install software without never have to compile an application.
11. I want all the governmental offices of the whole world to use only open source.
December 27th, 2007 at 1:29 am
1. DVD authoring software that works and is as easy to use as iDVD! Gee, even Windows has some pretty easy to use apps!
2. Consistency between Distros and desktops. I am tired of the significant differences in several distros and KDE, or Gnome, or XFCE. KDE should be the same regardless of distro… yet it isn’t
3. Wireless… again it’s inconsistent and what a PITA! I have a laptop that FINALLY connects after going through several wireless devices (all of which are “supported” or known to work!)
4. Games… I know you can use wine or Cedega, but how about some native games on par with the Windows offerings?
5. Application consistency across distros. It really peeves me that an application will work great on one distro and yet not work or work sporadically on another! COME ON ALREADY!
I think that’s about it for now!
December 28th, 2007 at 3:37 am
I wish more quality games and better hardware support. Sure, I have some more smaller wishes, these two are the most important.
I find the rest of your complaints non-issues: OpenOffice.org is fine for my needs (and Google Apps works on Linux just as good as with other OS), I am *happy* with GIMP 2.4 and Inkscape (use them professionally), VLC is an excellent media player (but I prefer Totem with GStreamer) and, finally, I like GNOME and use it daily.
December 28th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I want people to stop looking at GNU/Linux as a product. I want people to stop judging GNU/Linux’s success of failure based on how popular it is.
I want people to criticize distos that include non-free software by default on the basis that they contain non-free software. I want iPod owners to bitch at Apple that they don’t support the freely availible Ogg formats - and stop bashing GNU/Linux that they don’t play AAC.
I want people to stop saying “KDE is better than Gnome” or vice versa. I want people to realize that the way THEY use computers determines what is “better” and that not everyone uses their computer the same way.
I want KVM that actually gets BETTER which each release, not worse. I want Nouveau to power my 3D desktop!
December 28th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
[...] of the most controversial points in my Our Linux Dream wish list was Microsoft Office for Linux. Just to clarify one more time, this is something I would [...]
December 30th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
hmm sounds, like you’ve run linux for about an hour, an alternative to KDE and Gnome? how about Fluxbox, XFCE, or E17? Want to use office on linux? ever tried Openoffice, or Koffice? Hardware compatability? Take a look at the sites linked at http://www.linux.com/feature/118497 .
December 30th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
All i want for Linux in 2008 is a universal API that lets people install and uninstall software under Linux. Next Next Next Next Finish then run the app. Im sick of searching for dependencies, sick of uninstalling 10 things to run one. Tired of sometimes spending more time installing an app then using it. Also would love to see NVIDIA drivers as an option during install.
Good luck to Linux in 2008!!!
December 31st, 2007 at 1:33 pm
[...] a quick reminder: Later today I will go through all the comments on “Our Linux Dream” and come up with a list of the most popular/interesting wishes. If you have not yet said [...]
December 31st, 2007 at 6:41 pm
[...] few days ago, I asked readers to give their wishes for Linux in 2008. (Realistic or not.) Thank you very much for all the [...]
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
@Pete:” Im sick of searching for dependencies, sick of uninstalling 10 things to run one. Tired of sometimes spending more time installing an app then using it.”
Use Debian. They have the largest repository and the APT packaging system is way cool.
apt-get update
apt-get install whatever
apt-cache search pascal
Ubuntu and others also use APT, but you cannot beat the original.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
[...] title of this post occurred to me when I read the post Our Linux Dream. Somehow, even though people get the idea that specialized fields require some experience in that [...]
January 15th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Although I’m an Ubuntu user (GNOME), there is this specific Windows Option that I lack in Linux.
The Windows System Properties, when you right click on the My Computer icon. It shows all the (basic) information you need, at once.
This information is available in Linux, too, but you have to go and look for it, often in different applications.