Advice To Linux: Kill The Penguin
Whenever I compare Linux or open-source technologies to their Microsoft-inspired counterparts, I invariably receive numerous e-mails agreeing or disagreeing with my conclusions. While many of those e-mails are kind, some are flames, which just goes to show how highly charged the channel is about Linux—both pro and con.
To fan those flames, so to speak, I have some additional criticisms about Linux. Right off the bat, if Linux wants to be taken seriously by the business desktop market, it has to first take itself more seriously. What do I mean by that? Basically, kill the penguin and all of the marketing cuteness! Take YAST (which stands for yet another system tool). Sure, it's pretty funny, but the application should just be called something like System Manager. How about licensing terms, like GNU (GNU not Unix)? Yes, it's a crafty acronym, but the meaning is lost on all but hard-core Linux folks. If I want to edit a photo, I would expect to use a photo-editing program. While the name GIMP is cute (it stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program), it doesn't really resonate with business users seeking ease of use.
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Hack
Luckily, the guy who wrote this dissertation owns and operates a renown marketing firm and has years if not decades of product branding, image consulting, and pr/marketing experience - NOT.
As anyone with a few spare brain cells can see, the name of ANY product is pretty meaningless, it's the "spin" that counts. There are zillions of nonsense names out there that are at the top of of their markets (coke, cisco, IBM, mcdonalds, twinkies to name but a few).
Linux doesn't need to worry about their cutesy/stupid names, they just have to keep making upwards progress on their product. Given it's age, comparing Linux to Windows or Apple is not exactly a oranges-to-oranges comparison (when did Red Hat go public? When did Microsoft or Apple?).
Re: Hack
The one thing I've learnt while visiting this site and many others, is that its wiser to ignore "opinion" and "PR sponsored" articles. (anything to do with surveys or statistics and skewed studies...Things like Security companies saying one platform is better than another, etc).
I don't read such fluff, simply because they are nothing but a distraction. (often, they are used in a delibrate manner to spark contraversy, so many people visit...Hence, Ad Dollars for the site!)
The best thing you can do for the open-source community is to learn to program, (it doesn't matter what language! Python, Perl, C/C++, etc, etc). Come up with solutions that exceed Microsoft's in every single way (Or address any of the current deficiencies in Linux distros). You don't need to advertise anything about your solution, once its adopted by distros like Ubuntu, Debian, OpenSUSE, Fedora, etc. The product will speak for itself. (popularity generally grows exponentially, if its really liked).
As for names? Who gives a crap about names! You can name it after a local stripper or some other variation. As long as the software does what its expected of it and with minimal bugs or issues, no one is really gonna care what you call it!
My suggestion is, stick to reading articles that are Reviews, guides and other helpful info. Only pay attention to "news like" articles. Stuff like schools or some government agency that has started using or even considering open-source. (The point is to get a rough idea on the general market out there).
Reading opinion articles like this, does NOTHING but cause anger and fustration. Avoid them, and you'll realise how much happy you are!
Besides, opinions are like arseholes...Everyone's got one! (It doesn't mean you have to read or accept them!)
Honestly, when was the last time a Marketing person was actually honest and helpful? Never? Well, that's because 99% of the time, they want to sell you something that you don't actually need!
Have a nice day.
Penguin
Well the program name thing is an issue, but to kill the penguin. Not Tux, he is awesome. He pretty much represents Linux.
Anonymo
re: Penguin
I hear ya man, I love the Penguin. Don't touch the penguin.
----
You talk the talk, but do you waddle the waddle?
Penguin
Nobody messes with the Penguin.
Linux is the effort of many many many many many many people from all over the world. This guy is acting like he's speaking to a central group of developers that are responsible for regulating the naming of all Linux applications/utilities.
Why do so many IT people have Far Side and Dilbert comics all over their desks? We need humor or we go insane. With that said, I think this guy is overstating the situation. We already have seen tremendous growth of Linux in Business and Government sectors. I think if someone would send him a Tux doll, he would see things differently Long live the Penguin!
Laterz
Has the guy ever used a dstro aimd at business
Has this guy ever used a Linux distribution aimed at the business world. When he talks about sensible application names he talks nonsense. LLook at Suse Linx, Redhat and Suse LLinux Enterprise Desktop, they use sensible names there, Gimp is named graphics editor, amaroK is names music manager.
Microsoft does'nt have smart names, so I dotn know what he is going on about, What is Microsoft Visio supposed to mean or Microsoft Powerpoint. Neither of those names are descriptive.
So apparently...
For an operating system to be well suited for businesses, it has to be boring. I do recall Windows Server edition having a nice silver theme though... I suppose that should be taken out.
Kill the penguin? At least Linux has some character and expression... not some floating window waving in the wind. Sure, "The GIMP" doesn't say anything about the program. In fact, I agree it's a stupid name. Many distros nowadays will change the name in the menu to something recognizable anyway, like "Idiots Paint" or "---> PAINT REPLACEMENT <---".
To me though... if you are running a business and can't manage to find a simple graphics manipulation program in the menu, then maybe you are not suited to run a business. It's not like it takes a genious to figure out where the paint program is.
If anything, kill that freakish picture of the author in that article. He's just one of those guys that wants the computer to do everything for him... and make every task simple.
The penguin stays!!
never
No one should do away with Tux. That is like Windows getting rid of their logo because flags are not professional.
Why the hell does everyone
Why the hell does everyone think linux should be more like microshit? Who cares? If you are too big of an idiot to find an app in the linux menu you should be slapped anyway.
Really though linux is not microsoft or anything like it and that is why I use it.
Lose the penguin? How bout the guy who wrote the article go lose yourself? Really though its a logo, nothing more. Sure there are some gay penguins like mandriva style but overall tux is essential.
I think the linux users who sit and reminisce on how much better some things are on windows and how they wish their linux was more like windows most likely needs to go back to windows and dont come back.
Im about tired of these articles where people suggest what linux developers should do to gain a mainstream foothold or be more like windows.