This is an article i wrote in ubuntu linux forums, but i know this forum get a lot of traffic here, and i thought some of tech guys here will like this. so here it is:
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Important topic about the linux world and industry a must read for all linux users because it could effect you.

I think the linux industry is headed towards the write way. Its a os that works for the people, and offeres a great experience for an awsome price.

The problem is why linux won't become a mainstream DESKTOP os, is because:

1. The average person has not heard of linux.
2. People are naturally conservative so switching to something they had used for so long is hard.
3. Linux is not as easy to learn as windows ( this is changing fast, even as we speak)
.....if you have any reasons please post, because this is a very important toic.

Solutions:

1. Get linux into daily lives of people, what i mean is make it a household name that if you refer it to someone they would know that you are talking about the linux os. This can be done, buy actually putting commercials on tv and tell people there is something that offers free and easy solutions to all their computing needs. Tell people and make them fully aware of all the benefits of linux to the average pc user. Tell them how linux can run just fine on older machines, and the machine that you have currently. Tell them the benefits of opensource.
Make linux a no brainer.
These things should get started since vista again has moved back on its release date. These are great oppertunities for industries below windows.
Not many poeple are gonna be upgrading to vista fast, because the system requirements call for expensive computers, and the os is a good amount of money.
Distros like Lindows and Linspire are doing this, but they have taken the wrong approach to the idea of what linux really is and what it is meant to be.
All they want is to make money. That is all they care about.

That is why these companies i gaurantee you won't last for long, because they charge for software to be installed on the users system through their online payed respitories.

If they were Apple they could do that, but they are linux.
If Ubuntu offered a package management system that was more visual with icons of the pacakages, with easy discriptions that would make sense to a none techinical person. The packages are there but they are not offering a simple, easy, and effictive wahy of managing them.

Now imagine how populare Lindows and Linspire would be if the didn't charge people for anything, but offered their simplicity with the free software philosophy of Ubuntu.

So why doesn't Ubuntu do this, they have the best philosophy of any software company i have ever seen, because it makes Bill Gates puke.

Ubuntu has the ability, the community, the philosophy, the dream, and a great company backing them up.

Linux must be introduced to poeple in an effecting way, that would make them say wow. Like setting up demonstrations at malls, and tech stores.
So before people walk into the Dell store in the mall, they could first see and pick up thier new fresh cd of ubuntu, with great apps to install with easy instructions to get all their media working and running.

Get as many communites interested in linux as possible, having just online websites, forums and expos is not gonna pull it off. You have to go to the people and gain their trust, and keep that trust.
Thanks to the people that actually read this.

and please respond this is a big issue.
- Amir Rustamzadeh