Just what is the big problem with Linux?

David M Williams
Thursday, 19 March 2009 20:20

Opinion and Analysis

This is somewhat ironic because one of Linux’ most compelling strengths is its brilliant package management system. Contained with one simple screen is all the power to download and install a wide and extensive range of software. There need not be any disks involved, you get the absolute latest versions, there’s nothing to pay, and all dependencies are resolved.

Then, whenever there is an update to any one of these pieces of software you’ll get told and can upgrade, again with dependencies being taken care of.

Windows, however, requires you to check Windows Update/Microsoft Update. You also have Adobe and Java and InstallShield products sneakily setting themselves to auto-run and discretely check for their own program updates, independently. Other programs need you to discover yourself if anything newer is out.

Yet, not everyone is happy with this arrangement. It transpires that Linux comes with just so much that it’s too much for some. I read feedback that people don’t care if a new version of libwhatnot.so is out, and it’s a trivial update to correct a spelling error made in one line of comments by the developer.

Each time, one guy said, he switched on his Linux laptop he’d be presented with a list of software updates to review. He wasn’t content to blindly accept the lot, he wanted to know everything that related to security vulnerabilities. Often the patches were meaningless, mindless trivial upgrades to obscure items that meant nothing to him.

Here is where Linux distros can be smarter. Is there a better way of forging a default list of installation items other than presenting the user with “server install” and “desktop install” or by making them sift through the multitude of individual packages available?

Not having to use a command line
This problem was stated on several occasions and repeats a longstanding myth about Linux – albeit a myth that, to be fair, is grounded in history.

Specifically, there is a perception that Linux is an arcane environment and that you absolutely must delve into a terminal window and bash out obscure commands to be productive.

Possibly the situation isn’t helped by stories like my recent one on becoming a Linux command-line black belt.

However, the truth is twofold: you don’t have to use the command line, and the reason people choose to is because it offers great power and control.

While in a different league, I consider the command line analogous to using keyboard shortcuts.

For instance, I can log in faster by typing my username, pressing tab, entering my password then pressing the enter key than someone who clicks into the login box, type their username, moves the mouse to the password box, clicks, types their password, then moves the mouse to the login box and clicks again.

I can create five directories faster by calling up a terminal window (even in Windows Vista, by pressing the Windows key + R, then typing cmd and pressing enter) and using the mkdir command five times, than someone who opens up their file system and has to click the File/New Folder menu five times, entering a directory name each turn.

Similarly, I can stop and restart services quicker, or search for specific words in a log file or many other activities far more swiftly if I do it on a command line than by using the graphical tools.

That’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s perfectly fine. In modern Linux distros there is no need for anyone to ever to use a terminal window if they don’t wish to. It’s a myth you must type in commands.

It’s worth noting Microsoft is moving its server products back to a command-line model, with PowerShell becoming the new norm. This first became prominent in Exchange 2007 with its graphical user interface being a very obvious wrapper around specific PowerShell console commands. It continued with Windows Server 2008 having a locked down headless mode that strives to minimise its attack surface by not providing a graphical user interface.

If you’re a Linux guy or gal, what’s been your experience with games, with hardware, with updates and applications and with point-and-click? Or, if you’re a Windows person, what do you think? Are you persuaded? What will need to change in Linux to make it viable for you?