I found this article to be intriguing. Though I have no interest in Linux, I think this trend is good. Increased competition benefits everyone.
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Linux distributions like Zorin OS are really very good, what’s lacking still is the depth and breadth of applications available under macOS. If, however, independent developers start seeing 5% or more desktop penetration and decide there’s a market, it could start a virtuous circle. If I could get quality research and writing tools, I’d be open to the possibility.
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Next year is always the year of Linux. Always has been, always (?) will be.
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It makes sense that, eventually, something will replace Windows. And all other desktop operating systems. But it’s been 34 years since Linus Torvalds announced he was developing “a (free) operating system . . . for 386(486) AT clones.” and Linux only has a 2.94% worldwide market share.
However, Linux is the basis for the world’s most used operating system, Android, as well as ChromeOS, Tizen, and other operating systems. And it is the number one server OS (followed by Windows).
Google is merging ChromeOS with Android to create a new operating system. So, if successful, this could become a third personal computer operating system that could run on pcs, phones, and tablets, etc.
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Since Microsoft admitted that they would give personal data to the US government if required and under certain circumstances Europe started to turn away. In my country the whole school system is powered by Microsoft’s office 365.
People and governments are starting to get aware that it is not a good idea to put all their stuff in the hands of one foreign company.
In recent years Microsoft became a data hog. Windows 11 is literally a big keylogger powering their AI dreams. And windows 12 will be worse in every part.
The second big turn point will be PC gaming. With Microsoft forcing people to buy new hardware without any reasons gamers turn to Linux. And the biggest gaming platform, steam, puts anything into SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux.
There is a slow but steady change in the making and I think Microsoft will loose a big part of private users to Linux and Apple.
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The reports I’ve read of advertisements in the start menu would be enough to make me seriously question running Windows again.
But, AFAIK, any US company could be compelled to give personal data to the Government. Apple details the iCloud data they will provide when presented with the proper documentation, etc. in their Legal Process Guidelines. This is one reason they created the Advanced Data Protection feature.
Strong encryption, rather than our operating systems, is the only protection we can rely on if we use any cloud storage. IMO.
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Perhaps, but you never know. There’s increasing desire across Europe for more digital sovereignty. Microsoft blocking email access to Karim
Khan (the ICC prosecutor) demonstrated to many governments and international organisations that US tech companies are more beholden to US political whim than they’d previously thought and it is unwise to be trust them in critical circumstances. Much government IT is old and anything that can extend its life and spread the cost of replacing over a longer period is being seriously considered. There are some pretty big Linux desktop pilots running across Europe (Schleswig-Holstein, for example, is moving 30,000-workstations to Linux) which, if successful, could lead to hundreds of thousands of Linux desktops over the next 3 to 5 years. Once people become accustomed to Linux at work (perhaps be necessity) my feeling is that they’ll be less concerned what OS they’re using on their laptops at home.
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Yep. Given the current regime and CEO behavior I began my migration out of iCloud in early March and switched to a free account in April. I assumed I’d switch to an encrypted cloud service in Europe but decided to just keep everything local. Using Syncthing it’s been great. 2 GNU/Linux machines and an iPad all kept in Sync now for 9 months. No off-site cloud needed.
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I started a local UpCycling project with my local rural library over the summer and have now upgraded 15+ old Windows machines to the latest GNU/Linux Mint. Most of these have 4 to 8GB of ram and spinning drives, one as old as 2009. 100% success on all of them and given away to new users.
They’re still slow compared to an 8GB machine with an SSD but all of them went from so slow that they were not usable to being very usable. Every user get’s a 30+ minute how-to-use Mint orientation pointing out the basics of Settings, the system updater, software manager, and the essential included apps like Firefox, LibreOffce, etc. I answer questions and when they leave they know how to get in touch with me for help.
These were all machines sitting on a shelf and destined for recycling. One elderly woman’s 2009 Dell laptop had been sitting on a shelf for 3 years. She’s using it for web browsing and solitaire. One library patron is using his to manage his small business and another is using hers for home schooling.
It’s fantastic that computers this old can continue getting real, day-to-day use. There are many millions of computers that could have their useful lifetimes extended for years.
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What a great idea! Did you arrange this yourself or was this a program already in existence. I’d love to do something similar in my neighborhood.
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Here in Oregon we have Free Geek which is a charity that refurbishes computers, and recycles those too far gone. They distribute to families that cannot afford a computer and to non-profits. They also run a computer education program. The PCs they refurbish all get Mint Unix.
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Thanks though I can’t claim it as an original idea. I took a cue from seeing projects like Endof10 and repair cafes. I’ve been volunteering at my library for a long time and this seemed like it would be a useful project to get started. It definitely helped having them as a partner and home-base for the project. And it helps the library as well as it’s another way that they can serve their patrons.
So, yes, you can do it! I think anyone could really. If you have a local library approach them with the idea and see if they’re willing to work with you on it. You might also look to see if you have a Maker Space in your area or other non-profits that might be able to fit such a project in. My other parter in this project is a local non-profit that helps adults workin through drug and alcohol recovery. About half of your program is taking place there. We’ve set-up a couple of computers there for those folks to use as they work on getting their lives put back together.
There are usually a variety of such non-profits in any community serving people in need. Good luck!
I use Syncthing for 2 Macs and a FreeBSD file server, but I thought it didn’t have an iPad client. How do you sync with the iPad, please?
Mobius Sync Pro! It’s by a different developer but looks and works just like Syncthing. It’s a one-time payment for the app. It’s worked perfectly for me.
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What a wonderful project, have you got any local businesses involved? A few years back I was at a company that was refreshing its PC fleet and gave them to a local charity. The IT team used some of their CSR budget to help set them up. I extended the life of my 2010 MacBook Pro by adding more RAM and swapping the HDD for an SSD and, honestly, it would probably still meet most of my needs if it weren’t for the fact that recent version of macOS won’t run on it and the apps I use most have moved on.
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Thank you – I’ll have a look at it.
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Thanks! Yes, we did initially reach out via our local Chamber of Commerce, local newspaper and to a few individual businesses we had contacts in. We’ll need to repeat that effort. Unfortunately only one business responded.
Yeah, GNU/Linux Trisquel on my 2012 Mac Mini is crazy fast. Boot time is around 20 seconds and it’s ready to use immediately after login with zero delay. I use that for most of my graphic design, document layout, website development and that 2012 hardware handles it with no problem. I’d guess that I’ll easily get another 5 - 7 years of use.
And something I’ve noted, because the most up-to-date distributions continue to work well on older hardware running the most recent applications is never an issue! My 2012 Mac Mini runs the very latest distribution which means it also runs the latest versions of LibreOffice, InkScape, Scribus, Kate, GIMP, etc. and will continue to do so.
It has demonstrated to me that the hardware upgrade cycle and the focus on the must have next fastest processor that we are told we need/want is just out-of-control consumerism.
My story is that I moved to macOS for personal years ago — sometime around the introduction of the iPhone 3(?), the one with the curve plastic back — because I wanted a new phone and I was utterly fed up with Windows. I got one of the white, plastic laptops, can’t remember the processor but pre-Intel, and was so chuffed when installing a new version of macOS made it faster!
Now I’m really torn. I still love the hardware, but the company and walled garden less so. Half of me says replace that old intel iMac with a new M4 one, or better still a Mac mini and a studio display; the other half says just buy a nice Framework laptop and an external monitor and move to Linux (Zorin, probably). Cheaper and upgradable.
The problem is that macOS and iOS consumer apps, at least those from indie developers, are the best you can get. I’m really hoping that there will be an up swell in desktop Linux that encourages porting some, or new entrants writing some of the same quality — DEVONthink, Typora, Hookmark, MindNode, Scrivener.
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I agree. I’m always tempted by Linux, have used Asahi on my MBP, and currently have FreeBSD on a server, but every time I consider switching completely, I quickly realise that there is nothing on any other OS to compete in quality or features for the programs I use all the time: DEVONthink, Tinderbox, and Hookmark, and while Scrivener on Windows/Linux is fine, it’s still not as smooth as the Mac version. (By the way, isn’t Typora an Electron app, so it works on Linux?)
Personally, though, I also get frustrated by the comparatively clunky keyboard handling on other platforms – not being able to use Emacs text navigation shortcuts in text fields is downright annoying, amongst other gripes. Of course, that’s a matter of habit and I’d get used to the downgrade eventually, so the lack of the software I rely on is the main factor.
Obviously, this is just my requirement/experience and if there are good equivalents for the programs you use, it will be easier to switch: I’d probably do the same.
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Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
“Linux desktop surge”
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.