It’s hip2b2

I just read an article on the Top four reasons Windows wins and Linux loses. The author gives a nice little summary on the realities of the desktop market. The top four (4) reasons are stated below.

Install Base PC Vendor Support Hardware Support Software Support

These are all valid reasons and they are all factored in when people make decisions about buying desktop operating systems. However, I would like to talk about the 70 percentile. I believe that majority of the world’s computer users only use a small fraction of their computer’s capabilities. The needs of the majority are actually much simpler than what we think it should be. I believe the average Juan de la Cruz uses the computer for the following reasons:

• Office Productivity. This includes creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Most users just use their word processor as a glorified typewriter. A good number of people just use spreadsheets for displaying data in tabular form (and only a small number actually use functions beyond basic arithmetic).
• World Wide Web Access. This is used for both recreational and work purposes. People simply need a web browser to access their favorite websites. Of course, to check out the webmail accounts and even other services.
• Communications Tools. Of course, people would like to stay connected. A few years ago, electronic mail would probably be the name of this item. However, other communications methods like instant messaging and skype have come into the picture.

Most users will simply use these three (3) services. Heck, most of the non-technical users I would whether in the office or not just use their computers for these. All of these, Linux is capable of performing. Therefore, for the general population Linux is actually a good substitute. Of course, gamers are also a sizable chunk of computer users. Linux is weak in this space because of the lack of “pirated” Linux games . Also I believe that most articles are written by “power users” that have more demanding needs than the 70 percentile.

I believe that the main reasons for not moving from MS Windows to Linux is inertia. I have seen a lot of users make the jump only to go back to MS Windows because “they are not used to it”. Of course, only time will tell. I believe MacOSX is making good inroads into the desktop market due to its better usability (and its undeniable coolness factor). So maybe when a new generation of computer users are born with access to the alternatives, they can make a more objective decision.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 5th, 2007 at 3:03 am and is filed under Linux, Musings and Speculations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.