Each day I survey the news pan-handling for those 'nuggets' that would indicate someone out there is 'thinking' and actually innovating on the Linux Desktop. When I sort through the chaff of daily trumpeting of the newest Distro cookie cutter 'me too!' clone, I come up with scant information on new software development for specifically the Linux Desktop market.
Okay, you are grumbling. You see, being an Advocate doesn't mean I will feed you platitudes and say 'nice things' all the time. Quite the opposite. I take a critical eye to what is, or in case of this story, isn't going on with Linux.
I don't get as excited about Linux on the Desktop (LoD). Where are the killer apps?
Close your eyes and what do you see? Heh. Yep. Nothing. This is saying something but I am not sure what it means.
Are Developers too busy doing other things in their lives?
Are the global economic conditions putting pressure on LoD software development in general?
Companies with a bankroll and capability to pay Developers to do their work allow them a decent livelihood. So, consequently companies like Microsoft and Apple have traditionally done well.
Yet, even now, Microsoft just announced a major lay-off of 18,000 employees.
Along with the effects of a recession, which I prefer to call a depression, come the attendant 'side-effects':
Business contraction, job loss, increased unemployment are all symptoms of what is not just regional, but encompassing the global economy as it were.
Thus, if you are one of those committers who volunteers their service in writing Open Source code in your spare time, and you find yourself out of a day job, that will most undoubtedly put a crimp on your ability, willingness to volunteer services when you cannot put dinner on the table.
We see ongoing development continues with Apple, Microsoft, Red Hat Linux and their orbiting software vendors in the commercial arena, but on the community side of Linux, I see few interesting new software applications in the offing.
Does this fit with what you see? What are your thoughts? -- Dietrich
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