451 CAOS Theory 
A blog for the enterprise open source community
Another desktop test for Linux
Jay Lyman, February 14, 2009 @ 7:11 am ETI wrote last year about how netbooks represented one of the first times Linux was going head-to-head on a more level desktop playing field against Windows. With word of a recent ‘hybrid,’ pre-installed Windows/Linux computer from Dell, I think we may be seeing a similar situation where Linux is not as handcuffed by the hardware, support and monoculture that was the Windows of old.
Why would a hardware manufacturer such as Dell do this? It actually makes a lot of sense. There is today a need for instant computing — for a PC to boot up and perform basic Internet-connected functions in an instant, the way you turn on and use a calculator. There is still also a need for greater and deeper performance, though I would guess most users will find waiting for boot-up in Windows a daunting proposition once they’re used to the instant on. Furthermore, I know that Linux can handle these greater and deeper performance tasks from experience. I also recognize, however, that it is still, amazingly, a Windows world sometimes with some applications, such as Webinar software or some media software, widely used but still stuck in MS monoculture. It’s sometimes convenient to have the option of Windows around, I’ll admit. However, the ease and proliferation of desktop virtualization certainly has the potential to level things out with Linux in this regard, too.
I’m still somewhat concerned about what is going on with netbooks, where we’re actually seeing limited Linux options in the face of demand for the open source OS. However, I honestly don’t know how long people will tolerate using Windows XP, which has actually been retired by its maker at the ripe old age of nearly nine years. In addition, for every version of netbook without Linux, there will likely be versions that include it, for reasons I’ve stated previously. Windows 7 may be a different story, but there is no way it will enjoy the desktop-dominance-from-the-start of any of its Microsoft predecessors.
I’m also encouraged, as well, to see Dell offering this hybrid line of computer that put Windows and Linux side by side with capable hardware support for both. Don’t think it means much for Linux to be a quick-boot option? Check out some of Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin’s thoughts, which I think help put this potential in perspective.
I think we can expect to see more of these pre-installed, dual-boot devices — similar to what is being offered from Dell, which has already led the way on desktop Linux. That’s a good thing and an opportunity, but also a true test for desktop Linux and its potential.
Comments (10) Categories: Software
One thing to note about the Dell instant on feature is that it actually runs on a different chip, an ARM processor. This is part of the reason for using Linux (less resource hungry).
A key idea with the ARM processor is extended battery life. So you get instant on and longer battery life.
Personally, I’m not so excited about instant on, so long as I have a machine that suspend/resume works on. However, longer battery life would be welcome.
One concern I’d have for linux with these machines is that users may well not be aware that the linux is running on a much weaker processor, so it might get a reputation for being slow.
Note also, that the pitch for netbooks is that Linux is ok as a beginner OS, but if you want a real computer you should go with XP. Ironic, given that not too long ago linux was too complicated for all but the most bearded nerds.
It would be good to see all this play out on a level playing field, but the increasing scarcity of netbooks with linux on suggests to me there are some significant battles going on behind the scenes.
Thanks for posting, John. It’s true that it seems there are fewer Linux options in netbooks for now, but in a highlighted link above I refer to ‘reasons’ for Linux to have appeal on netbooks — particularly to manufacturers, who can trade operating system license for other features, cost-savings and innovation. You’re right that there may be bad marks for Linux when it is running on less sophisticated and expansive hardware, but your are also right in highlighting how important power efficiency will be. Perhaps this Dell copmuter and instant-Linux is but one component of the test. It will be up to the operating system developers and communities to impress manufacturers and users. It is a huge challenge, but as big an opportunity.
JL
One interesting outcome from this may be the change in attitude toward Linux, once people start to use it in heir instant on environment.
Another will be the innovation this type of machine will open up. I read that it will be possible to start in “instant on” mode while the secondary Windows OS is booting in the background.
I realise the instant on env uses a different CPU arch, but think of the experience that could be created if the instant-on environment and secondary Linux OS were aligned. Think instant-on which shares user accounts, some settings, user profiles (bookmarks email docs) with the secondary system.
Your instant on environment might then be able to look very similar to your main desktop environment, and share a lot of application settings, by selectively using apps in both the ARM and Intel environments that can share settings on the same disk. The computing experience would be almost seamless, with the user selecting between the equivalent of “low gear” or “high gear” to borrow an overused analogy with the car world.
I see a whole raft of potential innovation around this type of setup. Instant-on could offer a reduced desktop for one pre-selected user from the main Linux install. Laptop owner would be able to change it from “Brad” to “Ange”. Or offer a normal login via instant-on, then offer transition to main desktop once you’re logged in (firefox save session functionality would allow the main session to open up with the same set of tabs you were runnig in the instant-on session). Thunderbird or similar can share mail folders etc, so the switch from instant-on (low gear) to main desktop (high gear) could be almost bumpless.
Thanks for posting Evil,
I agree the instant-on in many ways represents a similar opportunity as netbooks in that we’re talking about and using a new form factor with a number of different factors at play. That’s why, I believe, these are such significant opportunities for desktop Linux — unprecedented, really.
JL
[...] Another desktop test for Linux I’m also encouraged, as well, to see Dell offering this hybrid line of computer that put Windows and Linux side by side with capable hardware support for both. Don’t think it means much for Linux to be a quick-boot option? Check out some of Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim Zemlin’s thoughts, which I think help put this potential in perspective. [...]
[...] Jay Lyman writes: “I think we may be seeing a similar situation where Linux is not as handcuffed by the hardware… [...]
[...] 451 CAOS Theory » Another desktop test for Linux [...]
[...] 451 CAOS Theory » Another desktop test for Linux [...]
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