Linux is Ready For The Desktop. It has proven itself year over year in the server space, and is breaking through into the desktop market. Knowledgeable advocates have been calling for the “Year of Linux” for what seems like ages. The realistic fact is … there isn’t a single year of Linux. Linux has been growing quietly for years, and once it maintains a noticeable market share in desktop operating systems, the “Year of Linux” will already have passed us.

Why is Linux a Mainstream Operating System? How has Linux Grown? How and Why Will The Growth Continue?

1) Trending Linux and Open Source Software

A couple notable’s from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_adoption

  • 2001,  Second Quarter – Linux server unit shipments recorded a 15% AGR (IDC report)
  • 2004 – Linux shipped on approximative 50% of worldwide server blade units, and 20% of rack units
  • 2007 – Commercial PC Manufacturers ASUS, HP, Lenovo, and DELL begin shipping Linux pre-installed
  • 2009, June – ZDNet reports 13 million active Ubuntu users, growing faster than any other distribution

2) Commercialization of Linux

Canonical Ltd. founded by entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth is a massive testament to the success of Linux and open source software. A guy with a belief and some ideas on how to make improvements that foster growth, invested a ton of money and now runs what can be contested as one of the world’s largest open source companies. Mr. Shuttleworth runs a global company with key employees that he’s never even met in person who work from different locations all over the globe. Not many companies of notable size have this capability. Canonical Ltd. is the leading example proving that Linux, Open Source, Community, and Collaboration all have a place in the hall of success. Canonical isn’t the only company that deserves credit, many more do. Red Hat, Inc (RHT) has played a key role in the early and continued growth of Linux, being the first company to commercially support Linux. Novell, and Sun Microsystems, as well as many others have played important roles in the growth of our Open Source eco-system. Intel, VIA, and other chip manufacturers also deserve praise and thanks for development of their hardware drivers in Linux.

3) Rapidly Growing Community of Global Support

The powers lie within the people. The user base in Linux grows significantly on a daily basis. The user base in Linux contributes significantly on a daily basis. Bug reports, testing, troubleshooting, improved applications, browser plug-ins. All of these come from Linux users who need to solve a solution in this Open Source eco-system. They contribute and improve, and benefit from other’s contributions and improvements … it’s a simple yet beautiful cycle.

4) Generational and Economic Shifts

As our world gets older, so do we. What’s interesting is, Gen Y’s know more about computers and technology than the Boomers. Despite the health obstacles that come with this age difference, the younger generation is able to sit in front of almost any device and accomplish their goal with limited effort. The older generation is more likely to get frustrated and give up before ever finding a solution. This very point alone proves that computers and software applications are tools, and just because a person is familiar with Microsoft Office, doesn’t mean they can’t be as successful using OpenOffice.org.

In the midst of our recent recession/depression, Linux attracted new interest in the form of the Netbook. Due to the low-cost of Linux Operating System’s and their applications, the desktop operating system made a dynamic pair with the low-cost portable hardware known as Netbooks. Unfortunately, many of these netbook purchases were followed by complaints and returned to the manufacturer. Why? The typical consumer didn’t know the difference between Linux and Windows. Therefore, expectations didn’t appropriately shift from something users are familiar with to something new. What really happened behind the scenes is Microsoft had to offer the Windows XP operating system at no or low-cost to netbook manufacturers. Microsoft did this to prevent loosing market share, which was happening at a dramatic clip. The netbook story is a great success for Linux, despite complaints and concerns. Linux was brought into the spotlight. By way of frustration or exploration, new users to Linux discovered the platform and the differences within. Microsoft the dominate force in Operating Systems for the first time ever was forced to dramatically lower the licensing fee they charge to keep users on their platform.

Linux in Your Pocket?

You bet … Android, MotoMAGX, Palm webOS and more … Linux has found a growing niche on mobile devices. An uncontested market space, where the Windows Operating System has failed to succeed. If the Windows Mobile Platform was a success, Blackberry, and iPhone would mean nothing to you. The key to mobile phones is clearly functionality and ease-of-use, and these Linux stack’s on smartphones and cell phones, are meeting and exceeding expectations. Now a little brainstorming … Linux is far ahead in the mobile markets … What happens when we ditch our laptops and netbooks and plug a keyboard and monitor into our mobile devices? Now who leads the desktop operating system market?

4) Web 2.0, 3.0 and Beyond

As bandwidth pipes get larger, we consume more bandwidth. Why do we consume more bandwidth? We put more information out on the internet… blogs, tweets, documents, videos, and more. SaaS (software-as-a-service) is quickly leading to DaaS (desktop-as-a-service). Imagine … Be anywhere, access the same familiar environment all your applications and documents that go along with it. No longer is local software and familiarity with local software a major issue for the consumer or business customer.

5) A Fair Playing Field

We continue to look for growth in the Application space … Linux as a desktop operating system faces one challenge. Applications have been developed primarily for the Windows OS for years. As Linux continues to grow, so will the variety in available applications.

In life, bugs and issues exist. They are outside, sometimes inside, and on your computer. Run Linux, MacOS, or Windows, you’ll find them and they will need to be fixed. Its a simple story of the SDLC (software development lifecycle). Security issues exist too. What’s beautiful about Linux is the community of people surrounding it. Critical issues remain critical, and fixes almost “fix” themselves. In reference to security … If you turn to Linux, your much less susceptible to viruses. As more of us turn to Linux, viruses will too.

These five points from 500 feet combined with good research prove that Linux is far from a dying breed.

It is a matter of time before you can finally walk into a Best Buy store, and leave with a brand new computer running your favorite distribution of Linux.