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Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth: We can surpass Apple in two years
Shuttleworth's remarks came yesterday at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention, or OSCON. Open source developers have been making great strides in this area recently. Many Linux distributions include support for Compiz desktop effects which add a bit of visual bling to the desktop experience while also making things like switching virtual desktops a bit easier. And the developers behidn the KDE desktop environment have scrapped the Windows-like interface of KDE 3 and replaced it with a whole new paradigm in KDE 4 -- we're note entirely convinced that KDE 4 is easier to use than KDE 3, but it's certainly prettier.
On the other hand, it's a bit funny to hear Shuttleworth talk about making Linux more beautiful. After all, Ubuntu is frequently mocked for its default dull brown color scheme. But the operating system and its user interface are already extraordinarily customizable.
What do you think? Is it possible for desktop Linux to become as "beautiful," and user-friendly as OS X within 2 years? What would it take? And keep in mind, it's not like Apple is going to just sit still while Linux developers are working on the challenge. Who knows what the Mac OS will look like two years from now?
Comments
33
Subscribe to commentsJoe MerlinoJul 23rd 2008 12:44PM
I appreciate the sentiment, but I have my doubts. Red Hat was saying much the same thing a few years ago, and then they more or less retreated into the server space. I suppose it's not impossible that Linux could eclipse Apple some day, but I kind of doubt it, and I think two years is a pipe dream.
DiRTJul 23rd 2008 12:44PM
I tried Ubuntu/Kubuntu but found openSUSE to be more user friendly and better at hardware detection. Plus, they still have PPC support to breathe life into an old Powerbook and iMac.
TushJul 23rd 2008 12:44PM
I like the earthy theme, it sets it apart. It makes people realize that it's something different. If it used the standard blues and greys that other OS's use, a lot of people wouldn't notice it.
Stephen AntonucciJul 23rd 2008 1:28PM
Good luck with that.
Brian!Jul 23rd 2008 1:10PM
After seeing the sheer number of interface mods that people have created for Startdock to customize Windows... yea, it is completely possible to make Ubuntu look nicer than OS X - or any operating system.
Rather, what needs to really happen is taking the time to really consider usability. Much of the desktop and computer interface we have come to use is not really the best design, but rather what computers could do at the start.
And, of course, consistency. Every main OS app should follow a set of design guidelines so that the users can find what they are seeking in a predictable way. It has been a while since I have been on Unix, but I remember way too apps and interfaces appearing as though they belonged to different operating systems.
Finally, all of this does not matter one bit unless you can get application support. Even if Ubuntu is the coolest thing to use ever, no one is going to pick it up if the apps they use the most don't run on it.
DiRTJul 23rd 2008 1:10PM
This is why I still use Windows.
MoiNJul 23rd 2008 1:55PM
You bet! :D
julianJul 23rd 2008 2:31PM
I agree that Ubuntu could be prettier than OSX.
However what makes OSX pretty is its simplicity.
I like Compiz but sometimes its just too much. As you mentioned, Apple is not going to just sit there, however since white leopard wont really bring any prettiness to OSX it could be feasible.
TomJul 23rd 2008 2:45PM
Screw "looks", let me know when you can play audio in two applications at once in linux
kastonieJul 23rd 2008 3:00PM
im using ubuntu 8.04 right now and i just played 2 songs from 2 different applications at the same time....so.....i dont know what you are talking about man....
hybrid-kernelJul 23rd 2008 3:09PM
ever heard of pulse audio?
IampriteshdesaiJul 23rd 2008 3:40PM
I started using Ubuntu this April and I am loving it. I love its simplicity, I use Windows now only for gaming. Ubuntu still isn't perfect, but it is getting there. Ubuntu has a beautiful blue theme in it, try it, It is called glossy. I use that. The only problem is setting up the multimedia. Tom try downloading exaile and run two songs- one on Rhythmbox and other on Exaile. I have started a new blog on Ubuntu here:
http://helpforlinux.blogspot.com/
TomJul 23rd 2008 9:37PM
Tell that to JWZ:
http://jwz.livejournal.com/494040.html
And if you ask who jwz is, look it up on wikipedia. It means something when jwz can't get sound to friggin' work right.
Matt TJul 24th 2008 1:39PM
Well I dont know who jwz, but all i know is that sound worked perfectly for me out of the box, and I can play many sounds at once as expected, without me having to do any tweaking. Maybe you don't have PulseAudio running, or something is wrong with your hardware support? some hardware isn't supported in ubuntu/linux through no fault of ubuntu, but because the hardware manufacturers don't supply proper drivers for linux or the proper information for developers to make their own drivers. A quick post or search on the Ubuntu Forums will lead you to a solution.
macoAug 18th 2008 5:09PM
Hey, take a look at the timestamp on JWZ's post. 3 years old! Come on.
MohamedJul 23rd 2008 3:38PM
I agree that Ubuntu could be better looking than Os x and windows, but it's all about the application, and the ease of installing the apps.
IampriteshdesaiJul 23rd 2008 3:43PM
And Compiz is far better than Apple or Vista. The cube is SExy
EricJul 23rd 2008 4:08PM
I can see a lot of the "looking better than OS X" coming out as "let's just copy things from OS X."
It's just like people have done before with Windows.
James ColeJul 23rd 2008 4:48PM
Prettier maybe, but what about usability and interaction design? It's exactly this sort of misguided focus that will keep desktop Linux in the sidelines.
WillJul 23rd 2008 4:54PM
Interesting that he stated it as can and not will surpass.