Why do I advocate Linux 9049

begin oeprotect.scr

I'm not sure that desktop computing will be significant in the foreseeable future. People like 'devices' which they can switch on, do a job, and switch off again, so for average people, a PVR in one box, and a game console in another is great. If they can get a cartridge or CD which lets them browse the web or do email or whatever using their HDTV display, then why would a typical home user want a desktop PC at all?

If we consider that most office workers are accessing systems for workflow & CRM purposes, then again, a dedicated access device or thin client or whatever will do the job for them, as well. A PS3 might seem like an odd choice, but if you can buy one, run your linux client natively, and display to a standard LCD TV, using a bluetooth keyboard, then why would a call centre want to use anything else? Okay, they'll have some big-iron, like linux cluster, as a back-end, with INAP or SIP interfaces into the call server to handle call queueing and management.

A much smaller number of office workers need email, web access, and maybe basic word-processing and drawing capabilities - again, thin clients are probably least expensive, particularly for mail, calendaring, meeting bookings etc.

A very very small number of office workers will need something beyond that.

The last, very small group, are probably the only long-term desktop users there'll be.

-- Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk Slowly and surely the unix crept up on the Nintendo user ...