May 23rd, 2007

Three more things that the Linux community doesn't get

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 7:12 am

Categories: Linux, My Linux Experience

Tags: Linux, Apple Macintosh, Operating System, Linux Community, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

The response to the Five crucial things the Linux community doesn’t understand about the average computer user post I made the other day was, well overwhelming. With some of you I think that the post rung a bell, while with others it must have touched a nerve. I’m pretty sure that getting over 750 TalkBack comments in a couple of days is some kind of record here at ZDNet and just in case there’s an award, I’m already writing my speech! :-)

Choosing a suitable Linux distro is a bit like the uninitiated making a trip to Starbucks and expecting to be able to order a plain simple cup of coffeeAnyway, after wading through some of the comments (I don’t know how some of you managed to keep up with the conversation in real time … you deserve some kind of award too) I’ve realized that I missed three more points about regular PC users that some in the Linux community (the more vocal members perhaps?) just don’t get.

1 - The Mac effect

If consumers want a safe way to experience the benefits of running a Unix system, then they have the option of bypassing all the driver and application hassles that Linux offers and choose the Mac route. Sure, you have to pay for it (and pay a premium at that) and it’s closed source but the average consumer with money burning a hole in their pocket doesn’t give a hoot whether the OS is open source, closed source something in-between. What most users want is a bit of kit they can just push one button to get it going and then start using it. Mac offers this. While Linux offers to remove security worries, Mac does exactly the same while at the same time removing the uncertainty that things won’t work.

Choosing Mac over Linux also eliminates the complexity associated with choice. Choosing a suitable Linux distro is a bit like the uninitiated making a trip to Starbucks and expecting to be able to order a plain simple cup of coffee – you quickly realize that life isn’t that simple and you need to step out of the queue and do a lot of learning before you walk up to the counter again. With Mac the choice is simply one OS. Simple.

Apple also manages to add two other ingredients to the Mac OS that I find lacking in Linux distros - The Mac OS is perceived as being cool and sexy. Even Ubuntu, which is the best Linux distro I’ve used doesn’t match up to the Mac OS on either of these points.

Mac is the perfect example that people are willing to pay good money for peace of mind. The premium price that Apple charges for products sets a subconcious value on the quality and service that the consumer feels they can expect. Free just can’t compete with that.

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