Who declared 'Linux Desktop Awareness Week'?

Michael J. Jordan, Linux Online Staff

October 19, 2001

Looking over the news on the Linux front in the past 7 days, I noticed that someone declared another 'Linux desktop awareness week'. People just can't write enough about the desktop theme (pardon the pun).

I just read Russ Mitchell's article Open War over at Wired. Yet another one of those 'don't waste your time fighting Microsoft' arguments; yet again a 'they've already won the desktop war' offering taking up space on the network of networks. There are a couple of these formula pieces that seem to have resurfaced this week. Just in case you're not bored enough with the last volley, here's the patented argument: Linux is just isn't desktop material. Why? Because, well, it just isn't. Linux won't be going mainstream because nobody wants to make drivers for it, and why? Because all Linux enthusiasts send nasty emails to hardware manufacturers to tell them how much they suck. Because Eazel was THE Linux desktop and now they're gone. The same arguments we've been reading all year and just won't go away. I guess there just is so much demand for these pieces, people love to write them.

Well, if you're interested in writing one of these lovely pieces aimed at discouraging your would-be Linux UI developer, here's a little "how-to" I've come up with.

Before you write, remember...

• Linux user = Slashdot poster/reader - Linux users are nasty and do not deserve a desktop.
• Remind everybody that Linux was created by 'hackers'. You know, 'hackers', those evil people who replace legitimate web pages with pornographic ones. They should be kept as far away from people's desktops as possible.
• You must be fired from a Linux company before writing an article. This will bring the point home that you were right and they are *wrong* and they should not get on the desktop.
• Mention Eazel, Corel, Linuxgruven and VA Linux's stock price- Bad publicity is bad for the desktop and good for your argument.
• Using reverse logic, do not mention Red Hat. Profitability and name recognition will not help your 'desktop is dead' argument.
• Use catch phrases as much as possible: 'Linux is a loser', 'Windows is unbeatable', 'Bill Gates won't permit Linux to succeed', 'Linux is a long-shot'
• Avoid phrases potentially damaging to your argument 'IBM is spending 1 billion dollars on Linux', 'Hewlett Packard backs Linux' 'Linux provides 99.9% uptime', 'Linux not effected by [insert made-for-windows virus/worm]' etc.
• Cite your failed experiences with Linux. "A real operating system must have Mr. Paper-clip", "I couldn't see bandwidth hoarding Shockwave stuff", "It lacks those familiar event sounds I love so much", "It doesn't have 'start' button so I didn't know where to start"
• Quote famous people who dislike Linux "Steve Balmer says: 'Linux is a cancer'", "Craig Mundie 'Linux is un-American'", "Miguel de Icaza 'Unix sucks'"
• Use graphic metaphors for intense psychological effect: "Linux companies are bleeding cash". "Struggling Linux companies give thousands the axe", "Will Linux explode in the dot-bomb?" This makes installing Linux look like the equivalent to making a trip to an emergency room.
• You must make both a nasty comment about Microsoft and positive comment about Linux somewhere in the piece or else people will think you're getting a check from Redmond. I suggest: "Linux will run very well with old, used, obsolete hardware that nobody wants, potentially saving you some money." or "I applaud the efforts of those Linux users who selflessly donate their time to those who are too poor to enter into Windows licensing agreements" and "Microsoft seems out of touch lately with people who like Linux"
• Most importantly, remember that nay saying the Linux desktop isn't about fairness, it's getting some Microsoft friendly website to post you. Don't worry about annoying facts and statistics. The Linux desktop just doesn't feel right and you know it and everybody else should too.

Hopefully I've added some new arguments here - some novel idea. Maybe we won't have to endure the same articles month after month.

Honestly, I don't understand what's so fascinating about this issue with some people. I don't know why so many so-called "pundits" waste megabytes of electronic ink going on and on about how we should just 'give it up', 'get real' and 'throw in the towel'. Well, we don't want to. How's that sound to you? We want our KDE, GNOME, WindowMaker, Enlightenment, FVWM, etc and we want others to enjoy the Linux experience. Nobody's on a schedule. This isn't a crusade. There's no pressing deadline. We're doing it for fun. The number of desktop apps continue to increase. The Linux desktop pooh-poohers just haven't bothered to notice. There will be no media extravaganzas, no eye-catching publicity stunts. It'll just sink in some day that Microsoft no longer holds the computer desktop prisoner. Linux has moved in their turf in a significant way.

Hopefully the desktop pessimists will figure this out some day.

Michael J. Jordan takes advantage of every opportunity to tell people how good Linux is. He can be reached at Michael.Jordan@Linux.org