Adobe Systems, IBM, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Novell, RealNetworks and Red Hat are all backing the new Linux standards effort led by the Free Standards Group. The nonprofit organisation plans to marshal their resources to form standards for key components of Linux desktop software, including libraries, application runtime and install time. The group said Monday that it will encourage software developers to use its guidelines when building programs for Linux as part of its Linux Standard Base project.
The goal of the project is to encourage the development of more applications for the Linux platform, the group said. Developing applications for Linux desktops is a complicated endeavor now because of significant differences between two prevailing versions, called GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) and KDE (K Desktop Environment).
"With this complex and costly development and support environment, independent software vendors may choose not to target the Linux desktop, leading to reduced choice for end users and an inability to compete with proprietary operating systems," the Free Standards Group said in a statement.
The growth of Linux desktops has been slow, especially among consumers. Microsoft's Windows continues to dominate the PC world. About 90 percent of all desktops and laptops are powered by Microsoft, according to reports from research firms Gartner and IDC.
The Free Standards Group expects to release the first specification for Linux desktop software early next year and to begin certifications shortly afterward. It plans to give compliant applications a "Linux Standard Base Desktop" certification mark.
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Sandeep K - 19/10/05
This is one of the finest moves in history of mankind. What linux needs in a desktop is
1. Newbie friendly bootsplash boot.
2. Implementation of usermode linux so that a psudeo root can make virtual installation of the software without root p****wd.
3. a system restore point using usermode linux so that even if anything is affeced system could be resorted to previous setting in a few minutes.
4. all multimedia support including all gui based dvd ripping and compression to mpeg4/divx/xvid.
5. TV type remote control support for all multimedia applications using a simple ir detector and a serial connector.
6. OOo is more than enough for office need provided it loads fast.
7. KDE-GNOME interoperability and visula aapearance using gtk-qt libs/engine
8. all configuration with gui.
9. Last but most Important distro independent software installation that does not need net as in case of apt-get/yum. or simply a windows like setup/binary which will install on almost all linux distros e la firefox.
give these and linux will catch in desktop much more fast than now.
Mark my words " desktop adoption will be exponential once the above mentioned features are included.
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2
Rex Alfie Lee - 03/11/05
I agree with Anonymous on all but a few points.
Restoring the system at user level could be disastrous. That should become & then remain the root's charge. Loss of others data because one user has lost data is not really acceptable. You lose it, you cry, don't harm others work for your mess.
Likewise the installation of software should also remain at root level.
The inclusion of MPEGs & the like interest me not a bit but for some they are a demand. This is good. Google is now working on reducing the size, running needs & usability of Open Office so that should improve relatively quickly now. That one is a main requirement.
Good luck to exponential acceptance. I hope you're right. I'd love to watch the bleeding hearts from Redmond crying out of breath as Microsux sinks into the abyss that is malware.
"Oh unfair! Oh unfair! Oh ... "
"What's that? I can't hear you."
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