Well I run my linux computers like I have my desk. There are things all over the place. But one thing I have noticed is when I have four instances of VLC open anything else that I have that needs to output to the sound card is muted. Meaning there is no sound. Just one of those quirks that I find when comparing Linux to Windows. With the 2k box I have I got many different things using sound open. Never does the sound stop.
Back to dreaming about driving fast. Happy computing
Panzer
post by jim vines
Red Hat delivers its state of desktop Linux address: There’s no money in targeting consumers
Red Hat outlined a good chunk of its desktop Linux plans in a blog post, but noted that it has no intention of delivering a traditional consumer product. link
In a blog post, Red Hat delivered what could be called a state of its desktop Linux plans and outlined its goals for 2008 and 2009. It plans to dish out its client technology to the Linux community, generate revenue through its products and use desktop software to compliment its middleware and server lineup.What’s missing? A traditional desktop product for consumers. That’s not too surprising since it’s unclear whether there’s money in it–consumers are unlikely to pay support–and it makes more sense to allow others like Ubuntu (all resources) take the lead on desktop applications for the masses. If Ubuntu got traction, Red Hat could always acquire the company.
In short Red Hat has determined it cannot make a profit at the desktop so it will leave the market. Following is the text of concern:
It’s worth pointing out what’s missing in the list above: we have no plans to create a traditional desktop product for the consumer market in the foreseeable future.
An explanation: as a public, for-profit company, Red Hat must create products and technologies with an eye on the bottom line, and with desktops this is much harder to do than with servers. The desktop market suffers from having one dominant vendor, and some people still perceive that today’s Linux desktops simply don’t provide a practical alternative. Of course, a growing number of technically savvy users and companies have discovered that today’s Linux desktop is indeed a practical alternative. Nevertheless, building a sustainable business around the Linux desktop is tough, and history is littered with example efforts that have either failed outright, are stalled or are run as charities. But there’s good news too. Technical developments that have become available over the past year or two are accelerating the spread of the Linux Desktop.
The implication is that Microsoft has won the desktop wars. Unmentioned is Ubuntu, which is listed at the top Linux distribution link and the top page hits link
Ubuntu is not a profit driven product so it is not driven by the same concerns as Red Hat which targets corporate clients. With the new release out soon, we will see.
With less that 2 weeks until the next release of next LTS OS from Ubuntu I feel it is time to make the decision to upgrade or not. I have been running the Beta version of Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) for about a week now. Aside from some minor bugs, most of which have been addressed and fixed by now, the OS is very smooth, quick, and even more user friendly than before.
The Birmingham Area Linux Users and Ubuntu’s Alabama LoCo team are planning on hosting an install fest to help promote the newest release. Times and locations will be posted when they are set.
The previous LTS release ( Ubuntu 6.10) which was released 18 months ago will no longer be supported as of April 25 2008. At that time, Ubuntu Security Notices will no longer include information or updated packages for Ubuntu 6.10. Some information about upgrading to 7.04 can be found at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FeistyUpgrades. Feel free to contact the Birmingham area Linux Users if you need assistance with upgrading or if you are interested in trying Linux for the first time.