Rock star Linux: remixed, unplugged and live

By David M Williams
Monday, 09 June 2008 10:15

Opinion and Analysis

Ubuntu is on the verge of enhancing its already good name as the most end-user friendly Linux distribution by coming out with its own mobile-optimised release, Ubuntu Netbook Remix. We're on the tip of a revolution and here's why.
Last week, before taking a slightly bizarre twist, I spoke about how the ASUS Eee Linux PC and the imminent Elonex ONE subnotebook were turning Linux into a household commodity through low cost ultraportable devices.

Obviously, these low priced units are correspondingly low performance but given the small keyboard and screen I’d be dubious that any adult would use one as their primary computing device anyhow. For casual and mobile use their diminutive weight makes them tremendously useful and the marketing work is largely aimed towards students and the genuine opportunity they afford for every school student to actually have their own computer (and one which has all the software that could be desired, without piracy or cost!)

To achieve their goals, ASUS modified Xandros Linux and Elonex have modified Linos Linux. Both included their own “launcher”, a multi-tabbed large-iconed desktop which conveniently provides access to the most popular apps (like Open Office for word processing and spreadsheets) without the user having to work through a command line or learn the system default menu options.

In my view, it’s moves like these which are going to increase Linux penetration faster than the efforts of Linux evangelists who persuade friends and family to try making a switch from their current operating system. Such ultraportables provide no complexities or barriers in getting up and running. You don’t need to partition disks, lose your existing setup or put any effort in.

In many ways this is akin to PalmOS and the Windows Mobile platforms. Unlike a traditional computer which serves as a generic platform that requires purposes and software to be useful, such ultraportables and personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones become the reason in themself; it just so happens they are powered by a specific underlying operating system.

Now, obviously there are a segment of knowledgeable users who choose their smartphone based on whether it is Palm or Windows powered but I’d think for the most part people see a smartphone which can synchronise its phone book with their desktop, pair itself with a Bluetooth car kit, bash out SMS messages and e-mails via a usable keypad and the like.

Personally, I find Windows Mobile an atrocious platform. I think it is appalling to have to reboot your mobile phone and I’m tired of hearing “it’ll be better in Windows Mobile 2003 / version 5 / version 6 / 6.1” and now I’m told “version 7 will be much better” but I digress; the point is that Microsoft have hit on the idea of making a generic platform aimed at handheld devices and which they license to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like HTC, iMate, O2, Palm and others.

I’m thus delighted that Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, have now upped the ante. Here’s what they are doing.

CONTINUED