Open Ballot: What is Linux's killer feature?
Posted at 11:46am on Monday May 9th 2011
As we rev up our podcast engines for the next recording, we want to hear your words: what do you think is the killer feature of Linux? What's its strongest selling point, the thing that makes it better than its competitors? Perhaps you reckon the kernel's rock-solid stability is key, or maybe you think the plethora of desktop environments gives it an advantage.
Let us know in the comments below, and remember that leaving your name as boring old Anonymous Penguin will make kittens cry.
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Your comments
My killer feature
Mark Fraser (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:06pm
The thing I like is the fact that as most software is installed via a repository, it all automatically updates itself. With Windows each program has to constantly check to see if there are any updates.
Oh and I like being able to install it on as many computers as I want without having to pay another licence fee.
KDE
Xavier (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:09pm
KDE. It's less bloated than Windows, and looks cooler.
Lightweight Beauty
Happy Penguin (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:10pm
Linux distros with new desktop environments, Unity and Gnome 3, are lighter than Windows 7 and Mac OSX. And they are, IMHO, much more beautiful and user-friendly.
Looks like Windowmaker
Anonymous Daniel (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:14pm
I notieced when looking at Unity that it looks a lot like the Windowmaker layout with a toolbar at the top. It is not as new and original as at is reported to be.
included stuff...
werner (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:18pm
To put it short, I'd say it's the window management. Being able to use a new one when the work demands it. I truly love KDE for all it's strengths and weaknesses(few). I had to leave it for win7 due to company policy and like a good thing I never noticed how much it did for me before it was gone. It helped me so much in work that I didn't quite notice how much. Where win7 is a click-fest to do anything KDE gets out of the way with some clever settings and nifty ahortcuts.
So in short, Linux seldom gets in the way of work but simply stays out of the way in console and just does what it's told. In KDE it does the same, letting you do a lot of clever stuff to minimize grievances while you work. If it makes any sense to you.
Freedom
haakin - May 9, 2011 @ 12:37pm
Hi,
The killer feature is Freedom, with a capital F. To name a couple of advantages:
Thanks to Freedom, Linux can translated into dozens of languages. This is really important in places where there is a language used by a minority. For example, I live in a part of Spain, Catalonia, with two official languages Spanish and Catalan. There is much more Free software in Catalan than proprietary software. This is something really important for Catalan speakers.
Thanks to Freedom, we can know what the code does. I work in a university and I used several programs for mathematical calculations, mainly Octave, Euler, Maxima and R. How are you going to use the scientific method if you are using a Big Black Box to help you in your calculations? Science requires transparency.
Javier
Free of Charge
Crypto Penguin (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:39pm
Linux's strongest selling point is that it's a FREE stable OS that can make the computer do what we want it to.
Many linux users take it for granted.
Most Windows users don't care for rock-solid stability, no-need to restart after updates and so on, as long as they can surf their favorite websites, watch movies and listen to music. Tell them they can do all the things they like to do WITHOUT PAYING for the OS and its inevitable upgrades and you get their attention.
Flexibility
Skilly (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:43pm
Installing a commercial OS on a machine provides you with a platform that's POTENTIALLY ready for useful application - but in reality pretty useless for any meaningful purpose without purchasing additional software e.g. office, games, modelling tools etc.
I've got Zentyal running as my firewall\proxy server, Ubuntu UNR running on my 7 year old daughters netbook, gnome with gcompris running on my 5 year old daughters computer, android on my cellphone, boxee on my home media system and my own laptop setup as a developer machine running gnome with all of the development tools I could possibly need.
Linux's flexibility and rich repository of software allow me to tailor make a a setup for whatever specific requirement I have.
Most importantly, because the tools are free I've been able to experiment, learn and find what works for me best. The cost of many commercial applications are a barrier to entry, that have prevented me from embarking on the learning path. I've found Linux an incredible enabler, that's provided me with opportunities that I wouldn't have had, without it.
no defragmentation
andres pedazo de animal (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:47pm
no defragmentation need and overall low maintance is a plus.
open source
miska - May 9, 2011 @ 12:55pm
The most important feature (at least for me) is that it is open source. So whenever I don't like something I can go and change it. Wish it would be that easy in the real world...
Distributions mean it's ready-to-go
Barryvan (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 12:56pm
The great thing about most Linux distros is that it takes just ten to twenty minutes to go from a completely new system to one that you can be productive with. This is where it's strength over Windows lies.
Whilst vendors like Dell, HP, and so on tend to bundle rubbish onto their Windows systems (like a "free" version of Office that only lasts 30 days) that tend to require removal, replacement, or activation, once you've installed your distro of choice, you're done -- no need to go out and purchase more software, or waste time downloading your standard set of apps and installing a bajillion Windows Updates (with the accompanying bajillion restarts).
Linux Installation/updates
Yorkshire Tyke (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 1:16pm
After having spent the best part of a day re-installing Windows XP and all the updates on my sisters desktop and hitting the problem of SP3 installation conflicting with a running AVG software.
My Linux Ubuntu installations have all been without a hitch and shorter too! Mind you trying some recent Linux distros with Gnome3, one worked with my desktop hardware whilst the other didn't! So I'm awaiting for the next version of Fedora before a do another installation.
Ps. what happend to your podcast for last week?
Something Very Simple But Practical
aSheepie - May 9, 2011 @ 1:18pm
There's loads of cool features that people have mentioned that are technical, etc, but one I would put forward is very simple: workspaces. I have to use windows at work, and at times I have a lot (often 15-20, but my record was about 35 - all active and being used) application windows open and many times, I reckon at least 1-2 times a week, I think "I wish I was using Linux so I could manage these over several workspaces". That, for me, makes it a killer feature!
Well, like other said: *
Vinicius (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 1:35pm
Well, like other said:
* Freedom
* Possibility to install on brandnew hardware and old hardware, even other cpu architectures like MIPS(i'm Dingux user :P)
* Less or no crashes
* Bash, yeah, I know that MACOSX has a nice shell, but having one for free for common tasks is awesome. Windows is trying with PowerShell and Cygwin also helps, but not as good as Linux
Agree with Javier
Fr33d0m (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 1:40pm
If there is one "Feature" that Windows will never duplicate it is the freedom.
Software repositories, Flexibility, Robustness and Freedom. The only word that wraps that all up as one is Linux.
Scripting
Stunonymous (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 1:41pm
Scripting in Windows can be pretty cool, but scripting in Linux is just awesome. There are so many choices of shell and scripting language, with an immense range of modules, to perform almost any imaginable action - batch processing images and sound, reformatting the rubbish out of Excel spreadsheets (Perl ParseExcel), remotely managing other PCs, driving software with automation scripts and test patterns, etc. A few minutes on a web search engine finds solutions to most problems.
Scaling
Morten Juhl-Johansen Zölde-Fejér (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 2:02pm
Some focus on features and some on simplicity. I appreciate that my hardware is not particularly potent - and yet I have some excellent software to bring out the best in it. Windows on a netbook is a sad joke.
I have to same distro on
towy71 - May 9, 2011 @ 2:16pm
I have to same distro on four different computers they all update from one of them, my wife doesn't pester me about viruses and I have ultimate control.
Oh and I contribute very little to Microsoft's obscene profits ;-)
The Community
Metasansana (Pirate of the Caribbean (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 2:32pm
Some of the reasons mentioned above such as freedom, scalability and that lovely shell scripting apply to me but by far as a computing student what has been the edge for me is how incredibly diverse and large Linux based communities are.
Great podcasts, forums, blogs and tons of assistance for anything from building web servers to firewalls, routers etc, etc.
Sure proprietary software has large communities as well but you often get a one sided view of everything (How the mother company wants things). With Linux and Open Source on the whole you easily arguments for and against the use of particular applications. Very nice indeed. :D
We had app stores before app stores were cool
Pantsless Penguin (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 3:00pm
To echo/expand on what Mark Fraser said, most modern Linux distros have central (but widely mirrored) repositories for installing new software and updating existing software. When Apple's App Store made a splash, it was trivial for Ubuntu and Fedora to throw store-like interfaces on their existing yum/apt databases, and now when my parents, who run UNR on their computers, want new software, they search for a word or two in the Ubuntu Software Center, click, install, and start using the app.
I've seen the Apple App Store, and you can't get past the first screen without entering a credit card, so we've got them beat on cost, too.
Linux's killer feature...
Alisdair (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 3:14pm
...is that it is not Windows/OSX, and I'm not thinking about how it looks. It's the 'freedom' thing.
The pros and cons of Linux
Naff Narwhal (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 3:19pm
There are a few that often attract new users:
1. Free (as in beer) usually
2. More secure than Windows
3. Faster (especially boot up times)
4. Best eye-candy
Being open source attracts some users; but I think that the benefits of that are appreciated more over a longer period of time.
Biggest drawback/obstacle to uptake: lack of 'industry standard' software, especially office software - decisive for many businesses and educational institutions.
COMPIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bobthebob1234 - May 9, 2011 @ 3:38pm
COMPIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that is all
oh and the fact I can poke it and it doesn't try and bite my finger off :D
Price / Boot Time
Paul Gideon Dann (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:01pm
Just wanting to add this to my first post, having read some other comments:
* I believe that the issue of price is moot. I've tried that argument on Windows users, and it mostly falls flat. Most insist that they get Windows for "free" when they buy their computer. The OEM gets a huge discount, so only about £40 of your money is actually going toward a copy of Windows when you buy a new computer. Annoying, but *not* a strong argument to a pragmatist.
* I've found that Windows 7 boots faster than ArchLinux for me on my machine; shockingly fast in fact. There's plenty I could do to speed up my Arch boot, but I'm not actually too fussed about a few seconds of boot time. I'm not sure boot time is a sensible argument for Linux.
Linux's killer feature is
tgandrews (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:04pm
Linux's killer feature is the community. The openness and willingness to share information about products and issues means that you are never more than a google away from a solution most issues. My dad loves Linux now after he realised this any problem he has had even ones stopping him from booting were nothing more than a click away.
Support for old hardware. I found a tutorial on how to perfectly configure Ubuntu on a nearly 10 year old laptop. Windows Vista and 7 just say no!
Open access to bug trackers means that you can see people are listening and responding to your issues. Have you ever tried contacting tech support for a proprietary software product? It's horrendous (usually).
Gnome 3
ztank (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:10pm
Gnome 3 is the killer app nowadays and for the future too!
Ciao
Easy Installation
Jared Spice (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:34pm
In my books, the best feature is the ease of installation. Installing Windows and getting it set up correctly can be a major pain, but Linux installs very quick and easy. Long gone are my days of despair when a Windows machine would fail to update correctly or when a hard drive died and I'd have to spend hours trying to get it back to noraml. Failed hard drive? About 25 mintues later and you are up and running again. Mess around with your settings too much and break something? No problem, 25 minutes later and you are back up again. Helping a family member with an old and slowing XP install? Install something new for them in about 25 minutes. Want to try a different distribution? No problem, only 25 minutes away.
Virtual Desktops
Chris Parker (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:44pm
As silly as it may seem, I'd be lost without my virtual desktops! Being able to have my work spread across as many desktops as I want and being able to hop quickly from one to the next keeps clutter down and my productivity up. They're also one of the first things that non-linux users ooh and ahh about when they see Linux for the first time. I know that Apple has gotten on this bandwagon of late, but Linux still wins here.
Killer Features
Brian36 (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:51pm
Less worry about viruses and malware.
Because of repositories, ease of installing software.
Flexibility.
Fast installation.
Not having to wait to use the system whilst updating.
Works on older machines.
Allows me to play without fear of breaking and losing stuff!
(Yeh, I know I can lose stuff if I forget to back up, but a live disk often gets me out of trouble.)
Choice of window managers, not Hobson's choice.
All of the above and...
Frank(lin) (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 4:55pm
All the great desktops (window managers) PLUS
the STARTUP TIME, using a ssd in a 2x1,6GHz Lenovo laptop,
Lubuntu 10.10 comes up in 8 seconds (4s bios, 4s OS).
Even beats my sisters apple netbook (then again this is
bsd at the core).
Frank Lindemann (franklin)
Heterogeneity
Rhakios - May 9, 2011 @ 5:17pm
One can nearly always find a version of Linux that will work just about any computer, turning a weighty doorstop into something useful. Moreover, this isn't like being forced to use the old version of a proprietary OS where support and updates might no longer be available.
So So Many killer features so little time..
Anonymous Penguin - May 9, 2011 @ 5:20pm
One of the most major killer features is like when you think it can't get any better but it does get better.
Things just keep getting better.
I'll just make some kittens cry *after* I post
Tom Walker (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 5:31pm
I don't think you can really say Linux has a killer feature.
All the things previous posters have mentioned are very good reasons to use it above other OSes but really, isn't a killer feature something that gives you a high market share?
Evidently, we don't have one of those.
I also like
Anonymous Penguin - May 9, 2011 @ 5:33pm
Multiple desktops. How cool are they?
Once your used to using more than one desktop you (I) find it near impossible to get on without them.
A great feature under promoted.
Copyleft
Jon79 (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 5:41pm
Copyleft
Yes! No!
Huw - May 9, 2011 @ 5:57pm
There are as many killer features as there are people who use Linux. For me, it's the fact that Linux allows me to use my PC in any way I choose. Since the very code that makes up the OS is freely available to hack away at, your only limitation is your own ability. This is why Linux is better than Windows or iWhatever.
P.S. Please add a shout-out to Mr Saunders for asking two of my questions to RMS!
Repositories and package
BoBTFish - May 9, 2011 @ 5:59pm
Repositories and package managers.
It's so easy to find and install everything. Need something that's not installed? apt-get install. Bam. Done. No worrying about hunting the right version down on the web. And of course the freedom bit fits nicely in here, as I can easily try a few things out, and don't have to worry about huge EULAs.
And of course all the updates get taken care of at once.
Trustworthy software repositories coupled with package managemen
TuxReadar (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 6:26pm
I can't imagine going back to a OS without a solid package repository.
Whenever I need a new program for something I search in my repository and maybe look what google suggests I should use.
Most of the time the repository offers just what I want. And when I use it
I don't need to worry about viruses.
I don't need to worry about ads in my applications.
I always get full versions, not some limited trial or shareware with pop-up windows every 30 seconds.
I get just the application I want, not a whole ecosystem with its own installation and update mechanism for each program.
My package manager makes installation quick and easy, and takes care of dependent packages.
I'm used to this and usually don't think twice about it. But pondering your question made me realize how great this actually is.
All of the Above
Tony Hughes - Blackpool LUG (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 7:32pm
All of the above and it just works!!!
As I recently found out reinstalling a laptop for a friend. Vista no wifi and no software to play DVD's or write to CDR/DVDR. I could have spent even more time getting it up and running but as it only had 1gig ram and was crawling I chose to load Mint 9(LTS) and 2 Hours later (including updates) all up and working and all the software he could ever want.
Talked to him today and he's a very happy convert to Linux - nuff said.
I came to Linux because I
Tails (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 8:10pm
I came to Linux because I didn't want to get betrayed (Wga updates) or sold out by my OS anymore. Besides that, I really like the stability, fast paced development progress, customizability and the ability to troubleshoot way deeper than just some certified black-box tests.
Sheer Flexibility
Rick (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 8:56pm
There is something for everyone with Linux. Almost whatever you can conceive to do with your computer, someone has done already and made it available in Linux. Movie editing, recording studio, multiple TV show recorder, router appliance, firewall appliance, desktop, server, mobile phone, tablets, disk partitioner, live CD (fantastic for trouble shooting Windows), search engines, VOIP and it goes on endlessly.
Pragmatism
spaceyjase - May 9, 2011 @ 8:56pm
I can use the computer as to tool it is intended for which typically means doing the boring, repetitive tasks it was designed to do oh so well. I'm a developer by trade so using the computer to solve a problem scratches an itch or two and I know using Linux (and more so 'Open Source') that my knowledge and skills aren't restricted by the closed nature of the beast.
It is customisable, fast and secure.
The ability to install what I want, where I want, without worry
bascule - May 9, 2011 @ 9:04pm
The fact that I can pick and choose, install multiple OSs, revive old computers, all without worrying about DRM, licensing or payment is what I REALLY love about Linux
It's just Ace !!! :)
FatAngus (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 9:12pm
Once it is installed and set up it just works on my hardware with none or very little down time or maintenance required. It still boots up and shuts down quicker than my Windows 7 installation (which is on a faster hard drive). Freedom of choice etc......
so many choices
braintooth (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 9:38pm
I find myself agreeing with everyone's post. So for me the real killer feature of Linux is the fact that it is Linux. The community, and variety of software and environments, all of it, no matter how confusing it may seem. Like Metasansana, I like the variety of expressed opinion. If you dont like one program, ask around and you will find five you had never heard of. Then with a couple clicks of the mouse you can try them out. How can that be bad?
LXF
A Teenager (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 10:13pm
With this magazine supporting it, surely there can be no better operating system.
"What is Linux's killer feature?"
The Gaffer... (not verified) - May 9, 2011 @ 10:53pm
I've been unable to kill it so far. ;o)
Colonel Pannyck has been unsuccessful too. ;oD
Bazza...
Too many to list
Harvey from down under (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 12:00am
The price is important to some (pensioners and such) but for me it's the speed of Linux, firstly on boot and then how soon you can use you desktop, with Windows it takes so long after login before you are able to use it, and that drives me totally bonkers also on older less powerful machines it gets along quite nicely thank you.
One other thing is the absolute freedom of choice, if one OS is not your cup of tea then just install another, there's plenty out there.
Then theres the community, or hell lets face it there is no one reason why Linux is the best thing since button up boots it just is. Long live the Penguin.
Harvey
i learnded computers
james is soooo cute (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 12:10am
the open invitation to explore your computers inner workings at your own leisure has to be the greatest attraction.
also the universal spell-checker.
Choice
Blueyonder (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 2:00am
Pure and simple. If a particular distro, window manager or desktop environment doesn't suit your needs you can move on to the next without suffering any real penalty aside from the time it takes to install it.
Killer Feature
Carl Rush (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 2:26am
The "killer" features I.E the features that kill Linux when it comes to getting "newcomers" to use it in my experience are.
1st the lack of game's for home use and
2nd the lack of a truly great CAD software for professional use.
I realize that WINE goes some of the way to addressing my criticisms of games and CAD but imagine having to use Internet Explorer though WINE to access the internet, Firefox is a solution WINE is a stop gap.
Don't get me wrong I use Linux on my Laptop, Desktop and Phone. Linux and more importantly the free/libre/open software world what ever you prefer to call it have many advantages, simple by virtue of being open and transparent in their creation. Performance, reliablity, security, continuous improvements and a configurability that makes windows and mac seem clunky.
Never mind the wide range of software that matches Linux's open philosophy such as Firefox, GIMP, Gnome (GNU in general), Blender, Libreoffice, KDE and VLC both matching their less open competitors and far exceeding them.
Also if someone is aware of a good open CAD system please feel free to tell me what an ignorant fool I am.(I do stress open and good though.)
PS By Linux I mean GNU/Linux without going all Richard Stallmany.
Customization\Freedom
LarryHFT (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 4:18am
For me anyway, the killer feature is customization. If I don't like the way something looks or works in Linux I can change it to suit my needs. Who knows better than I do what I want. Surely not Apple and Microsoft.
Security
DaveS (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 5:57am
Security of course. That is why it is on so many servers. Its a killer feature.
Channeling some RMS
Eages (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 6:32am
The best feature of GNU/Linux is it's openness - both in development and use. It's amazing that anybody can improve Linux, be it simple bugfixes or new features. Also, the end-user has full control of their system and can do exactly what they want with it - with windows you're pretty much stuck with what you're given.
Easy to use
Daniel Jonsson (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 7:19am
It's so easy to use and almost everything is open. I don't hack my software to death myself, but I know others do, and they are able to provide cool stuff for us normal users. :)
I really love the whole package structure too, with the update manager that updates everything on the system. Why hasn't Windows this feature yet? They have been polishing the same version of Windows during almost 20 years now. I mean, how much different is Windows 7 from Windows 95?
The package library is also great, which makes everything so easy to install and I don't have to google and being afraid for viruses. Like, if I want skype, I just type "sudo apt-get install skype" in the terminal and I'm done.
Rapid Development
Gavin (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 9:26am
The best thing about Linux is the rapid rate of improvement throughout the year. Whatever opinion you hold about a particular distribution is essentially null & void within months because either the kernal has been updated or the desktop environment has. You can wait years for new features to be added to Windows and you have to pay through the nose to get them.
Xorg
Jono Cooper (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 9:42am
Xorg is the most amazing piece of software ever made and combined with the amazing GRUB makes the best operating system on the planet.
And the winner is...
Antony Mouse Pingu (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 10:06am
a) It's free
b) It's not Windows
c) It's NOT WINDOWS!
d) it doesn't crash much
e) it has an app for that - that being almost anything you could want to do.
f) did I mention it's free?
For me...
Tarnus (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 10:42am
it's the whole thing. The thought(even though it wasn't planned by it's creator) behind an open, free operating system, the biggest project in the world that demonstrates that people can work together as different as the people themselves might be.
killer feature: potential
Dgesh (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 11:21am
Linux in general? Flexibility.
My Kindle runs linux (being able to sftp into it from anywhere in the house is more useful than it might sound), my phone runs linux, my media centres run linux and my netbook runs linux. Linux is *very* good at fulfilling these niche tasks without being limited or limiting (as something proprietary would be).
On the desktop?
It really doesn't have one. As someone else has said - if it did it would have more 'market' share.
Linux, as a desktop OS, is fine for very light users who just want to use a broswer, a media player and an office application. And it's fine for the hardcore programmers. For the inbetweens - people who, like me, do use their computers creatively but are not hardcore programmers - people who want to use creativity apps (of various sorts - graphic, video, audio, 3d as well as coding) in a *visual* way and want to play games (you do have Minecraft though - you should be shouting from the rooftops about that) - people who engage creatively with all aspects of computer culture but are not experts/specialists - Linux has very little to offer, sadly.
The games aren't there, but we could probably live with that until a solution is found. The big problem is the lack of software. Now, I'm sure you'll point to the repositories with thousands of packages and yes, they're great. But where's the Photoshop analogue? (the GIMP is not it), where's the Adobe Illustrator? The Flash (IDE), the Cubase? The Fruity Loops or Garage Band? The Premiere? The 3ds Max (again, Blender is not it)? The whatever-is-used-for-page-setting-these-days? I could go on, it's a virtually unlimited list.
I need all those things to be there for a computer to be useful to me. I need programs with some degree of standardisation and *usable* UIs to fulfill a broad range of creative tasks. We are children of point and click - while we are imaginative enough to see, understand and engage with the power of the command line we also value a more visual approach when it is more appropriate - and whatever there case for you, for us there are times when it is more appropriate.
Of course I do not expect all of these apps to appear overnight - but it would be nice to see some indication that the Linux community as a whole understands this need, this lack. We could make-do for a while if this stuff looks like it's on the way. Again, you might point to GIMP and Blender anbd Inkscape again. And I would point to the glacially slow progress and chaotic UIs. I've been trying these apps every few years for perhaps a decade or so and each time I do I'm hard-pressed to see any progress (in the terms that matter to me, at least).
You might also say: this is open source, code those things yourself. I'd re-iterate that we're not hardcore coders. We can't.
It's a shame because I identify very strongly with the freedoms (of the Stallman sort) Linux represents, and I believe that winning the sort of users I (believe I) represent over would be the key to winning a share of the desktop which reflects Linux's quality and potential - we're very good at getting others to use things we see value in.
Maybe it's fine as it is. Maybe Linux's true strength is simply satisfying these twin niches of very light use and hardcore computer nuts/coders. Maybe people who want to engage with information in a more traditionally creative way should stick with Windows and Mac where we're, if not loved, at least catered for.
But if there's a next step towards popularity, I believe it's this. today I want to draw a raster image, tomorrow I might want to draw in vectors or make a movie or a song or create a web-app or a point and click adventure game or ... etc.. I need to be able to do all of those things without spending a week learning the idiosyncrasies of whatever tool I choose, I need to be able to pick up a piece of software and to recognise enough to be able to work it out myself without pause. Or at least be able to see that someone out there understands that that's what I'm after.
Man, I'm sorry for the length of this. I'm also sorry if this comes across as entitled whining. I'm just saying I believe that if you want to get bigger you need to appeal to people who use computers in this way. If you don't care then, of course, that is fine.
CONTROL
civint (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 2:07pm
control over what goes into it on install, what you take out after install, what runs, when it runs, how it runs!
I use both windows and linux, and I'm always frustrated by windows when there are so many processes I have no idea what they are! When I swap back to linux I'm always releived to have control, and the speed of the system speaks volumes to this!
Faster
pengwin dienw (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 7:42pm
I realize this isn't the case for all workloads, but for the software system I work on, Linux is faster and more efficient (~1.5x Windows performance). And that is comparing CentOS 5 to the latest Windows server. I'm eager to move to the newer kernel and all its improvements (darned "enterprise" distros).
Add that to all the customization capabilities mentioned earlier--it really rocks!
Philosophy
Pingvin (not verified) - May 10, 2011 @ 8:52pm
Philosophy that comes with Linux :)
2 Words...
Prolific Puffin - May 10, 2011 @ 10:20pm
Mike Saunders.
Freedom of Software
Adam Griffiths - May 10, 2011 @ 10:25pm
I can't remember how many times I've been working on a project only to have commercial software let me down, then hop onto my linux box and in minutes have found a tool that will do the job I want as I need it to be done, free of the struggle of purchase choices, stunted demos or the fear of spyware and virus in downloads.
Case in point, recently I was working on a massively complicated set of image maps on a web page. Dreamweaver kept *breaking* and I couldn't complete the job. I jumped onto my Ubuntu box and five mins later found a tool that handled image maps and completed the job in under an hour. Brilliant.
Freedom - and what drove that home for me ...
john lumby - May 10, 2011 @ 11:15pm
... was that picture of the Russian Police raiding some dissident organization and confiscating their PC's on the grounds that "a citizen made a complaint that you are running unlicensed Microsoft software!!!".
(The "citizen" apparently lived a thousand kilometres away and couldn't name any member of the organization).
counterproductive
Inkayacu - May 10, 2011 @ 11:55pm
I don't think it does Linux any favors to perpetuate the myth that Linux viruses do not exist
shell
bruce muggins (not verified) - May 11, 2011 @ 4:22am
The first thing that sprung to my mind was "The Shell". I'm mostly a GUI user but have slowly been learning a few tricks in the shell, and find it extremely powerful.
Oh, and the lack of viruses (or should that be viri...?)
Simplicity and ease of use
Ray Woods (not verified) - May 11, 2011 @ 10:13am
The last time I installed Vista it took two and a half working days, along with some basic Applications and updates. Compared to this Linux Mint took twenty minutes to install and another twenty to update.
It is simple and reliable in use, even my Eighty-four year old neighbour finds it easy for her to use.
In two words...IT WORKS!
Linux's Killer Features
Darren (not verified) - May 11, 2011 @ 12:46pm
The ability to configure and use the operating system the way you want it.
With Linux you have more control over your operating system.
Not having to ask permission to use your computer eg Microsoft's Product Activation thingy.
The fact its not owned by one organization means you have choice. Especially if a distro doesn't work your computer - try another.
FREEDOM - As we say in New Zealand - Sweet As.
Darren
Christchurch New Zealand
Killing Feature
Metasansana (Pirate of the Caribbean) (not verified) - May 11, 2011 @ 1:24pm
While I love the Linux platform, I'm a computer science student/ web developer so its natural for me to like an OS I can tear apart and transform from a workstation to a web server by a simple apt-get install command.
However as some Tom Walker pointed out on May 9, 2011 @ 5:31pm, Linux lack that edge that will bring more average users.
There are many things a non-technical user wont like; for instance I still cant seem to get an attractive font on netbeans that I can use to do coding where as on Win 7 the default font looks great. The display drivers up to now are decent but I don't think they can compete with other platforms yet in terms of that crisp fresh look and feel.
To Linux/BSD and any free Os credit its not the developers or community's fault. Companies are less likely to invest their developers time in "free" projects just to provide a great looking OS or inter operable system. Don't get me wrong some do, but not as much as they can.
I heard Microsoft is planning to invest in Skype Linux so perhaps in the future we will see things change in FOSS favor?
we still need one
passstab (not verified) - May 11, 2011 @ 4:45pm
a "killer feature" is something so powerful and flashy that people will switch to use it
our problem is the we don't have one
nobody does
the browser is all that matters
(sad but true)
on the other hand a killer feature is as powerful as its marketing
(which we suck at)
so maybe there is hope
(s.t.l.f.t.w)
the upcomming killer feature will be....
torwag (not verified) - May 11, 2011 @ 7:05pm
it runs the same OS on my Computer, my Laptop, my Phone, my Ebook Reader, my Videorecorder, my Settop box, my Car, my Fridge and even my washing machine....
As soon as the majority of people understood that they can easily transfer infos between all of those devices because the running the same tools.... Linux will become enourmous popular.
The question sonn will be "Can I connect this to my Phone?" and it is by fare easier to do this on Linux devices then on any other system.
A continuous evolution
bananaoomarang - May 11, 2011 @ 8:39pm
Linux evolves, over time, like a living beast! I see this more, rolling on the [testing] repo of ArchLinux, but seriously, I think this is a killer feature.
A new feature for windows? Takes years to filter down in the next version, then you have to shell out hard cash to get it. If a new feature comes to Ubuntu, I get it in six months (Arch Linux when it's released...). I get a revamped desktop every six months to (KDE, although surrently stuck to Gnome-shell...). This is awesome, it means we stay at the edge of what's hip hop happening all the time.
Wait! There is one more I thought of...
Prolific Puffin - May 11, 2011 @ 11:43pm
Gparted.
It is THE killer feature because it is by far the easiest way to get rid of Unity...
several things
avoura - May 11, 2011 @ 11:53pm
1. It's not Microsoft
2. It's not Apple
3. It's highly customisable
4. Most distros are free
5. There are no restrictions on how I use it
6. No built-in spyware, and very unlikely to be infected with viruses and spyware
7. Lots of great free applications
Designed to work, not fail after 3 years
Samloops (not verified) - May 12, 2011 @ 3:38am
I believe that Linux's killer feature, and the argument I make to those considering Linux, is that Linux has no vested interest in failing after 3 years and making your computer crawl like sludge. Microsoft on the other hand, has no financial interest in creating an operating system that continues to work well beyond the planned release of their new version. All of my Linux machines seem to improve with age as bug fixes are released and new features are added. Windows machines never work better than the day you install the system. It's all downhill from that day on. As a Linux user, I don't have to buy third-party software to try to remove cruft from my machine and repair a registry so that I can tweak another year or two use out of it before throwing in the towel.
Freedom!
Organic Rodent (not verified) - May 12, 2011 @ 10:02am
You're free to use Linux however you want to, on a wide variety of hardware platforms.
That said, one "selling point" I used to use was that upgrading didn't require a hardware upgrade like Windows 7 pre-Alpha (sorry, "Vista") did. Unfortunately, that's no longer the case with the likes of Unity and Gnome 3 being a little fussy about video hardware.
chimes of freedom
twinkle toes (not verified) - May 12, 2011 @ 11:10am
Definitely the freedom aspect is the most important thing for me. As the world becomes ever more dependent upon computers, it should be of concern to us all that Microsoft, a money making institution which is not democratically accountable in any way, wields so much power and influence over our lives. Linux and the GPL gives ordinary people control over technology and this is why I would continue to use it, even if, on a technical level, it was inferior to Windows.
Open complete control
blumojo - May 12, 2011 @ 12:26pm
For me, being a power user and programmer, I want to control what is running and how things look. I want the freedom to setup anything that will make my everyday activities faster. On one hand, I could care less whether a new OS is easier for newbies to learn. On the other hand, those features should be there for new people. I just want to be able to get around or turn off those newbie features so that I can GET THINGS DONE faster/smarter/etc! Some OS's only offer their way of doing things (hrrrm-MacOSX-rrmmm), and some OS's don't allow the control that a power user needs. What is this random *.exe file that is running in the background and taking precious CPU cycles on my work machine? I can easily find every binary that is running, what it does, and how to turn it off on Linux.
Reiserfs
Jay L (not verified) - May 12, 2011 @ 2:04pm
Just couldn't help myself.
Freedom
twitter (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 1:36am
I see a comment above that says gnu/linux has no killer feature because there are so many killer features listed. I'd say that means that there are an overwhelming number of killer features or that there is no such thing as a killer feature in software.
All of the features above are a direct result of software freedom. People are able to cooperate to make the software they want rather than having to beg an owner not to fill their favorite software with malicious features. Microsoft dreams that software patents are a feature killer but packages from countries with reasonable laws prevail. Shame on the US for granting monopolies on business methods and math.
My favorite desktop software features are mainly features of X11, multiple desktops, applications that share well and modularity. The major desktop environments have too many nice programs with too many nice features to enumerate, but KDE's PIM is high on the list, even in 4.x form.
Freedom
twitter (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 1:41am
I should also mention package management and configuration control. Windows users are forced to accept a stream of trashy "upgrades" that might modify any part of their system. Then viruses make a mess of what's left. A free gnu/linux system will never feed the user an upgrade that can not be inspected and verified. It is irresponsible to use windows for critical work.
Its funny reading some of the answers.
oiaohm (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 3:11am
Xorg is going by by.
Compiz is also going the same way in time.
There are viruses for Linux. They are rare. Linux world people are trained to use the repository system first. This reduces attack vectors. And most software that runs in Linux does not do insane things like running executables from email clients.
I would say Linux Killer features are. Secuirty Sanity. Followed by Scale to what ever. And I do mean what ever.
Followed by run on almost what ever.
Failures.
Lack of a good integrated photo processing system. Even that the software on Linux can do everything photoshop can todo what photoshop does requires changing between to many applications. But due to the way its done Linux can take image processing to a cluster that photoshop cannot. Example of great a High end and poor a low end. More focus has to go not low end requirements.
Same is true with CADs. Building simulations....That require clusters Linux is extremely great. Interface for low and middle end users. Needs work.
Accountancy software. ERP and the like for high end Linux is great. SBS and home user. Not so great due to them not being kept upto date with countries tax laws.
Even in games its the same. Hugh server games like Wow use Linux server side in the cluster.
Android is an example what happens to Linux when someone takes a market. Looks why Linux is failing to penetrate and addresses the issues.
Forget marketing basically fix a few of the issues and Linux will go like wild fire and self market it self.
I love the sheer madness of it all
wallclimber (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 6:26am
Linux is chaos and discussion and controversy and forks and foundations and racing against time to do something wonderful and daring and new. I love how change happens and everything's at high tide until the next crazy bit of madness comes along. It's creativity at its best, and human nature at its worst (sometimes), but at the end of the day it all just works (at least, it works for me!), and that's pretty amazing.
I love the fact that freedom is part of the process and (to my mind) the glue that holds it all together. I love that such a diverse, multi-cultural group can do so many outrageously awesome things. I especially love that I can be a part of it, if I choose, It's fun. It's always interesting...and best of all it ain't Windows. What more could we ask?
It's as customizable as desired.
Bill Stone (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 7:27am
I use KDE. I love that every facet of KDE is customizable. The right clicking menu options, initial window size, desktop widgets, the ability to change the color of system windows and KDE apps, oh how many great ways to customize.
Great ballot!
Linuxrich (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 10:29am
I can't really add anything to all the suggestions above. However, for me, it's got to be how easy Linux is to maintain once you've got it set up. No defragmenting, virus scanning, updating individual apps etc...
freedom
mookiemu (not verified) - May 13, 2011 @ 9:57pm
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!
Best thing about gnu/linux is freedom!
Freedom to do what you want with it and install it on any machine. Freedom to take it with you on a disk or flash drive.
I have to keep a Windows partition because of a couple of programs I need for work that are provided by my business. Ie, Photoshop, Zbrush, and Painter. Because it's a high end workstation, I'm constantly fidgeting with it to get better performance. It's a pain in the neck every time I have to reinstall the because then I have scrounge around for serial numbers which isn't so bad until I have to go through the spartan de-activation/activation process that some proprietary programs make you go through. Once I had a drive die on a Friday night before a long weekend and when I reinstalled windows, Zbrush told me that I couldn't install it because I had it installed on too many machines, though I didn't have it installed on any. I had to wait until Tuesday before I could reach a representative to reactivate my licenses!
On the other hand, the linux partition installed in 20 minute! I have a bash script the installs all of my applications and gets rid of the ones I don't need.
If I didn't need Photoshop, Zbrush, and Painter for work, I would never boot into windows again!
Did I say Freedom?
Ownership!
unregistered programmer (not verified) - May 20, 2011 @ 1:07am
Software licenses grant you specific rights. But when you buy a Linux distro or download it, you actually own it, and can do whatever you want with it, from loading it on all your computers, to modifying and recompiling the source. That is OWNERSHIP!<P>
As for the killer app, it's that shell code you wrote the other day, YOUR app that does what YOU want, now what some corporate droid decreed you have to want to do. Linux makes it faster to write your own stuff than it is to figure out how to use someone else's monstrous application.
I add: multiple desktops
Masticator (not verified) - May 21, 2011 @ 4:20pm
This one feature makes other OSes feel 'crowded' and doesn't make me feel at ease when using them.
Repository installation, customizability, compiz: top features already mentioned.
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