Linux ready for the prime time

[viking60]

The Linux desktops of today are competing on equal terms with Apple and Microsoft. In fact if you want to drift the best computers in the world you NEED Linux. Microsoft says Linux is evil and the Linux geeks themselves, say it is not for everyone (not true). Yet on the desktop Linux has a very small market share for no obvious reason. Or is there an obvious reason? Well let us have a look at what the biggest difference is between OSX and Windows and Linux. Windows is fairly functional and has the advantage of being the only known thing in many cases. It gets the job done on the desktop. OSX is twice the price of Windows but IMO not any better at all. In fact I would prefer Windows7 if the price was equal. The interesting part though is that I would prefer Linux if it was slightly more expensive than both of them!

So the biggest most obvious difference is the price. And now I feel a theory coming up. If you have no knowledge of OS's and want one, the only measurement of quality you have is the price If it is expensive it is more likely to be of good quality, after all no one will survive to overcharge for an inferior product. The Porsche is expensive yes, but it's good too. So when you get a Linux for free you have the "easy come and easy go" effect. The loyalty is higher with the Mac people; after all who wants to admit that he has been an idiot spending that load of money on an (mostly) OS. The same goes for cell phones but with a difference: Android (Linux based) phones are expensive! And they are highly successful! So the Irony of the situation is that if you would put a price on Linux, it would be more appealing to people. I put it to you: If you had to pay a 1000$ + for a lap with Linux, then the market share would grow -rapidly ! discuss

[dedanna1029]

Yeah, probably so. I've noticed that a lot of Windows users actually like paying the price.

Hell, let's give them Linux for a good one, that outdoes the cost of Windows, and I bet they go for it.

[viking60]

Yes making it really expensive would make it more exclusive. And if you compare the quality it should be really

[dedanna1029]

Oh yeah.

[gnuuser]

windows had the advantages of mass production and mass marketing
with linux its hard to market something that's free because of the cost of advertising
most of the developers put their distro out there on the net and depend on donations.
us linux users are the primary method if introduction to new people and we do so because some people get fed up with the windows crap and that sparks some interest .
even then its tough to get them to switch.

what we need is free advertising on a large scale and major websites are a good place for them (as long as they haven't signed a no competition contract)

[R_Head]

Yeah, probably so. I've noticed that a lot of Windows users actually like paying the price.

Is a psychological thing. If you pay means that you can fight/bitch/piss/moan/complaint back (get a refund or support).

It sends a sense that you will have a tech support, people that are well paid will make a good product. People does not give anything for free, so it leaves the question... What is the catch?

I will do with Linux what Mandriva did, Power Pack is the paid version and free, is just free.
Paid it comes with tech support and proprietary/licensed software that can be sold on the MCC via an application store.
That will support the business itself. Too easy on my opinion.

Free is like the Hobby Edition, some that you fiddle with it and enjoy doing your own work.
Like buying a car with no warranties and no mechanic support, you do your own.

Both models I truly believe will work and you will be surprised how many people are willing to pay for Software and OS that really works.

In reality, you are not selling Linux, just selling the service and the convenience.

[dedanna1029]

Arch has everything one needs, without paying anything, both proprietary and not. Rolling distro, with the nicest implementation of KDE and Gnome both that I've ever seen in any distro. Can't beat it.