Mark’s Interview at DerStandard.At April 18, 2007
Posted by Carthik in interviews, news, ubuntu.trackback
Mark talks candidly about Ubuntu. Turn to page 4 for where Mark describes who Linux is good for, and what makes him think Linux is not ready for commercial pre-installed computer sales. Sensible, rational, and very lucid.
Ubuntu Blog 
In the interview Mark lists countries in which you can walk into a shop and buy Ubuntu off of the shelf. New Zealand can be added to the list – I have just seen a copy at our local Dick Smith Electronics. (http://search.dse.co.nz/search.php?sessionid=4626a8d600abbb6e2740c0a87f330714&site=&w=Ubuntu&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Go).
I really liked this post at OSNews…I wish the guy would email Mark shuttleworth with his concerns as well:
http://osnews.com/permalink.php?news_id=17714&comment_id=231649
“You’re Not Making It Happen Mark
By segedunum (1.77) on 2007-04-17 18:46:53 UTC
So I don’t think it is really ready yet for mass consumer sales of Linux on desktop.
Unfortunately, Ubuntu is doing absolutely nothing in that area, nor is Mark or anyone at Ubuntu (or anywhere else for that matter) really having a deep look at the software involved, the functionality and working out just what is required – namely:
Backwards compatibility utilising and integrating WINE into the desktop and development tools properly, integrating a stock groupware solution in there such as Kolab, Zimbra etc. at the client and server ends, getting a reasonably easy to administrate directory services server to integrate with clients, servers and groupware, universal sign-on and administration, good quality graphical administration tools, knowledge base, installation and repository infrastructure for independent third party software integrated into development tools etc. etc.
I cannot for the life of me, having used Ubuntu both as a desktop and a server, see what on Earth it is doing that is any way different or more user friendly than using Debian, Suse, Fedora, CentOS or anything else. It’s a mirage.
But I think in strategic target markets, like workstation or in emerging markets, there are good opportunities and we work with the companies in those markets to execute on those opportunities.
Those strategic target markets have existed for years, and they are very much niches. Those niches were being filled quite nicely before Ubuntu or even Linux ever existed with Unix workstations, and they’re being filled today without Ubuntu in many cases, so I’m not understanding that one.
Also, the above statement is effectively a concession of defeat, because Novell said pretty much the same thing when they tried to justify a market for their desktop. “Oh, we’re not competing with Windows” they said “But we’re trying to target markets where desktop Linux is a good fit”, which means they’re not facing the issues head on. Whatever that fit is, it’s not enough to make the whole endeavour justifiable.
They’re retreating into a niche because they simply have no clue know what to do, strategically, when a customer gives them their copy of SLED or Ubuntu back when they discover they can’t install third party software from a CD, integrate it with Active Directory or manage a bunch of desktops over a network, have groupware working reliably or they can’t use at least some of their existing software.
Unless that changes, certainly on the desktop side (and the server to an extent as well) everyone is just treading water at best. Sad. Very sad.”
nice trick to get faster upgrades XD thanks for that.
I really liked this post at OSNews…I wish the guy would email Mark shuttleworth with his concerns as well:
Great news.
The cool thing is that my update manager in not showing feisty jet, but I think it will in this very night when the ubuntu.com server load is a bit less overloaded.
Also, the above statement is effectively a concession of defeat, because Novell said pretty much the same thing when they tried to justify a market for their desktop. “Oh, we’re not competing with Windows” they said “But we’re trying to target markets where desktop Linux is a good fit”, which means they’re not facing the issues head on. Whatever that fit is, it’s not enough to make the whole endeavour justifiable.
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I really liked this post at OSNews…I wish the guy would email Mark shuttleworth with his concerns as well:
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