Memo to Canonical and Ubuntu: Stop Chasing Apple Mac OS X
I’m starting to get a little concerned. Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth intends to vastly improve Ubuntu. You’ve likely heard that Shuttleworth wants to leapfrog Apple’s Mac OS X in terms of design, polish, etc. But is that really the right set of goals for Ubuntu? I’m not so sure. Here are three other goals I wish Shuttleworth, Canonical and the Ubuntu community would pursue.
1. Master the Basics: How about ensuring there are super-easy ways to make sure Ubuntu works with WiFi, printers and other peripherals.
2. Polish Your Logo: Make sure PC partners carry some sort of “Designed for Ubuntu” logo, to build Ubuntu brand equity and ensure the underlying hardware works with Ubuntu.
3. Simplify Your Naming: Ubuntu Netbook Remix, Kubuntu, Edubuntu… If Canonical keeps announcing more variants of Ubuntu, we run the danger of Ubuntu having more versions than Windows Vista. All those names will only cause market confusion, especially among consumers who want a simple, easy-to-understand alternative to Windows.
Developing an OS that’s more elegant than Mac OS X is a worthy goal. But it seems like Canonical needs to focus on the basics, first.
WorksWithU is updated multiple times per week. Don’t miss a single post. Sign up for our RSS and Twitter feeds (available now) and newsletter (launching January 2009).
WorksWithU on Identi.ca
WorksWithU on Twitter
WorksWithU's RSS Feed
Hear, hear. That’s exactly my beef with Ubuntu. I began computing with XP and it felt like using an appliance. Most everything I needed to do was automated and easy. Too much of Ubuntu requires the terminal. I don’t want to use my time writing so many lines–A GUI interface or plug and play and badda-boom–I’m using the device, not messing with it. All you happy coders out there can develop it. While you’re at it how about developing interfaces that work like XP.
@Captkit: I was a little worried about writing/posting this entry. I applaud Shuttleworth for developing a “Linux for the rest of us.”
It’s always good to have a target or a business goal. But I think Canonical is getting stretched pretty thin these days by all the different product releases and market focuses (desktop, mobile, server, Internet devices, etc.).
Hoping to hear more about how Canonical hopes to drive profits and ensure Ubuntu’s long-term viability.
I’m still on my Windows XP Pro SP3 computer and I’m really, really serious about making the switch. But guess the kind of finger/brainwork I’ve had to do so far? Right now there’s an ever growing, specifically organized bookmarks I’ve dedicated all things Linux. Especially anything that has “for dummies” or for newbies on ‘em.Add some more forums into the mix I might as well “Stumbled” the whole list into the Linux section for a free homemade cookie! My point is about the amount of reading/research “indirectly pressured” onto casual users on making the switch. Here’s what we all know for sure. – YES IT AIN’T WINDOWS and we’re completely aware that we’ll need to get our hands a bit dirty. It’s just that for the rest of the PC’ing world, the “bit” part can and almost will overwhelm everyone, catching all nastily at every googling attempt(s).Yeah we’re all kinda confused about these derivatives (GNOME? KDE? XFCE? COMPIZ?) and since we’re talking about Ubuntu, why can’t they stick everything into a single package with those desktop environs (I did say that I was a newbie so correct me if I’m wrong) WITHOUT passing the identity crisis to the users by saying “OK! Here’s a separate “product page”. We’ve nicely quoted a command here. Please do that to get the latest KDE on Kubuntu.”.Wait a min I thought? You people have like an army of coders doing all the legwork and you’re telling me that it’s near impossible to do that on just Ubuntu? I know 1 of Linux’s primary strengths are the sheer freedom in switching those things around but is it necessary to pull all different version names at each? And of course as it has been aptly pointed out by our good Mr.Joe Panettieri (eh? Close to Hayden? Sorry couldn’t help myself =p You must get that a lot), the stuff I’ve read from user posts about device drivers are just well…”stress levels-challenging” and that’s putting it mildly. I’m seeing separate stickies on how to install Ubuntu on a particular HP notebook model etc etc? Canonical should be making more aggressive inroads to companies like Dell (that’s for a mainstream builder for starters. Better yet if they can persuade core companies such as nVIDIA, ATI, Broadcom and everyone else on the hardware/standards’ front) where in turn said companies like Dell can help to flex their purchasing muscle to tell off their parts’ suppliers to start supporting the cause. The recent news/rumor of maybe that HP’s trying to come up with their own distro are interesting in its right but a casual user like me thinks that there’s too many flavors out there on the buffet already. If Canonical feels that this fight is just too big for just 1 flag bearer then why fight alone? It’s time that distros get their acts together and consolidate if they have to? Unless they’re rigidly unwilling to let off their “unique” geek elitism out of the equation of course…As what most would be switchers are feeling right now.
I just emailed Canonical suggesting that ship it cds have case badges. These can be used in #2 comment in this blog posting.
Dell can put the case badges on the desktops laptops sold.
Canonical reply:
Thanks for your suggestions. I will add them to our swag idea pot.
(from Kat)
Just do Item 1. Focus. Execution.
No need to copy Apple. It’s sufficiently different than Windows anyway, just like Linux is sufficiently different, just like XP is different than Win98, and Vista is different than XP. Just make Linux – or in particular, Ubuntu – work as easily as does XP.
Nothing turns off a new Linux user than not being able to do things that Windows does, like WiFi. The Windows user KNOWS that WiFi will work.
I think that Mark Shuttleworth uses the Apple argument to show what he is attempting to put over. I have no doubt that this is all he is using Apple as an argument for and that he has no plans to actually copy what they are doing.
In other words he is saying that he wants Linux to be more attractive, cleaner and easier to use.
I do agree with the naming though. I would like everything to be called Ubuntu.
Ubuntu as the main program with an option to use the Gnome or KDE built in.
Ubuntu Lite for people with older machines and so forth.
It does not fit in to the one program mentioned above but it would be a start. i.e. everything just called
Ubuntu -
I think that Mark Shuttleworth uses the Apple argument to show what he is attempting to put over. I have no doubt that this is all he is using Apple as an argument for and that he has no plans to actually copy what they are doing.
In other words he is saying that he wants Linux to be more attractive, cleaner and easier to use.
I do agree with the naming though. I would like everything to be called Ubuntu.
Ubuntu as the main program with an option to use the Gnome or KDE built in.
Ubuntu Lite for people with older machines and so forth.
It does not fit in to the one program mentioned above but it would be a start. i.e. everything just called
Ubuntu –
Ampers
Joe another good article. I think Ubuntu is making great strides with #1 on your list, or at least with hardware I have been using. I think #3 can really be confusing for people. I have had the same concerns as you about the naming. I have often wondered if it would not be much better just to call them all Ubuntu.
As far as the design goes, and I may be alone here, but I have actually found that Ubuntu is much easier for me an ex-windows user to migrate to than Mac. This is purely as far as the GUI is concerned, setup is a little different story probably. I have handed my Ubuntu laptop over and relatively non-geeky types have had no trouble using Ubunutu. Extra fit and polish is always great but I think you have hit the nail on the head make things that are supposed to just work, just work first then worry about some of the other things.
I think Ubuntu and Canonical have made enormous strides in usability since I started with 6.06. I have done probably 20 installs of Hardy Heron on different hardware and I think only one of them (a very new netbook) required any resort to the CLI to get something (wifi) working.
I know there is still hardware out there that is incompatible with Linux, but I have been boycotting those companies for so long now I rarely see it
I think distro chaos (as opposed to Ubuntu’s in-house version naming issues) is inextricably linked to software freedom and can’t be resolved – particularly by people urging the creators of distros to “just stop it!”. Its like demanding that novelists or movie makers just have one standard plot and a certain number of characters. There is no such entity as “Linux”, so making suggestions about what “it” or “they” should do is about as useful as talking to your imaginary friend.
I would personally like the Ubuntu devs to give just a bit more attention to quality control and testing – even if that meant backing away from the 6 month release cycle. Hardy was really a very poor release for me (until 8.04.1).
And I really think they should be “throwing their weight around” with the broader development community to improve quality and timeliness of package updates. Some of the packages in the Ubuntu repositories have cobwebs and were hand coded by monks by candle-light and on vellum and others seem to have been accepted without adequate testing.
Joe: I agree on all 3 of your points. Perhaps Shuttleworth is talking about doing that in broader language with “leapfrogging Mac OSX,” but he does have to focus on the basics.
Aubrey: I agree that distro chaos is linked to software freedom, but perhaps Point #2 can solve Point #3. The underlying problem is the consumer not knowing which of the MANY distros (and versions within each distro) is right for them. This can be done through better branding. The distro publishers could market their product as “the distro for beginners,” “the distro for workstations,” “the distro for multimedia,” etc. Which is for the home, which is for the office, which is for the server, etc. No matter what, buyer confusion is what needs to be overcome so that people will know they are getting the right product.
@Jack Fuller:
> The Windows user KNOWS that WiFi will work.
LOZ!
Gonna need some help here … what is “LOZ” ?
I agree with all three. But like to add one important thing:
The ability to install, un-install and update applications easily similar to Windows/OSX, independent of your Ubuntu version. New version of VLC out, yes, click update, done, works perfectly. This is bigger than Ubuntu though. I hope the Linux Foundation is working on this.
One more thing:
It’s takes alot of work from many thousands to put a new version out every 6 months. Is there a way to make this more automated so it can become easier? If it cannot be made easier, is there a better way designing the distro versions so that it is?
I don’t think Mark is talking about copying Apple, but taking and learning from what they do best.
I too would like to see “designed for Ubuntu” or similar phrasing on hardware. It might encourage other hardware manufactures to follow suit. The comsumer shouldn’t ahve to jump through hoops to install anything. Also target more cheap pc’s/laptops/netbooks to have Ubuntu installed the way Xandros has, get it out there. Id like to be able to buy an Ubuntu computer in my local Dixons/PC World.
Rob
(Ireland)
Man, we have some weird thinking going on here…
Some of the readers think there’s a Linux “organization” in control for Linux (like there’s an Apple or Microsoft organization), that has a corporate agenda, profit plans, product management, a marketing department and budget.
The newbies are complaining that it’s too complex and not “just like XP” – that’s like the line in the film “Shirley Valentine” where some working class clod complains that “Greece would be perfect… if it was just like Italy”.
The problem is, we’re comparing something amazing, that has been created by thousands of independent people and given (as in a GIFT) to the rest of us – with no money changing hands, nor expectation of money, and some of us are still whining “why didn’t they make it just like this unstable thing I paid $140 for and have to patch regularly, because I’m used to it”. We should be canonizing some of these developers for even bothering to create something for others.
We’ve been given what really is a Cadillac operating system by now, and all we can say is “Why isn’t it a Lincoln?”.
I really worry about the Human Race – nobody seems capable of reading a simple manual, or buying any of the incredible books on these operating systems to find out how to use them… and we seem to discount the fact that, unless we just sprang out of the ground fully formed 20 minutes ago, we’ve all grown up using one flavour of Windows or another, and have forgotten all the frustrations and things we had to learn over the years to be as effective (or ineffective) in Windows as we are by now.
As for the various flavours of Ubuntu, does Canonical even create those, or are they derivative works based on Ubuntu for specific markets and created by enthusiasts who see a specific need for a target market and know how to make that happen?
When choosing a distribution, do what you would do if you wanted to buy a home theater system or a lawnmower … do your research, find out what each model/distro can do, find some reviews on the web and choose the one that does what you want. It’s not like you’ve made an unrecoverable error if you need to go to another distro someday – save your data, install the new distro and you’re back online in about an hour. Try that with Vista if you find you really preferred XP!
@Lob: Regarding your points about “Designed for Ubuntu” branding… The vast majority of NetBooks (sub-notebooks) hitting the market right now will include the option of having Ubuntu pre-installed. Now, let’s hope Canonical pushes hard to get an Ubuntu logo on ALL of those systems.
I think Mark Shuttleworth knows vastly more about the subject than you – as clearly demostrated by your posting.
your article which completely misunderstands what he meant by design and polish.
kthankxbai
Adey: Thanks for posting the insult. Kidding aside, are you an Ubuntu user? How would you like to see Ubuntu evolve?
If people are worried about names like Kubuntu, Edubuntu etc. Why not just go with Ubuntu KDE, Ubuntu Gnome, Ubuntu – Education etc.
Would Canonical be better served by making a different installer disc, instead of making several versions have onwe with all varieties on one DVD. That way you can construct your flavours as you install. Add an install step to ask the installer what interface would you like and show a graphical representation of Gnome, KDE, Enlightenment, XFCE or whatever. Even to the point that it is a menu with small thumbnails of each desktop on which you click to show a full size environment for the newbie.
Likewise would you like the educational suite included on you Ubuntu , then simply answer yes to that question.
Another option would be to have a simple quick install with the standard Ubuntu and then give a menu option for creating a customised install.
Branding – Dell puts stickers on their systems. You can also request FREE stickers from System76. I do think it’s a good idea for ubuntu to put a free sticker with every printed CD.
Flavors – Canonical should trim the consumer view of Ubuntu to just Ubuntu. Stop the talk of Edubuntu, kubuntu, xubuntu. On SFD when I was talking to the general public, someone would see a Kubuntu disk or mention kubuntu and it was really confusing for them. If needed make an Ubuntu Lite for netbooks and really old machines. That is far easier to explain over kubuntu or xubuntu. Both of which can be added later through the package manager.
.
MORE elegant than Mac OS X ?!? Now that is something I’d like to see. I doubt if Ubuntu has the capability to come anywhere close to the elegance of Mac OsX . Design by Dictatorship wins everytime over open touchy feely stuff. Plus X is the underlying system on Mac Os anyway.
They should focus on leapfrogging the current gen and working on the best possible OS for the GRID whichis bound to supercede the internet very soon and will put an end to local storage and local processing capability in favour of shared computing power.
http://islamabadite.blogspot.com
Nasir: I spent last night working on Ubuntu. Today, I’m on Mac OS X for a few hours. I’m thrilled with Ubuntu’s price-performance and easy of use. But the Mac is still a “total” experience that melds hardware and software design into a single, impressive product experience.
Personally, I think following Apple is a jolly good idea. Not in emulating the OS X GUI though, I think that would be exceptionally silly.
But, OS X is lorded as “UNIX for the rest of us” it’s exceptionally simply to get going, generally things do ‘just work’ and well… they do with Apple hardware (no surprise there). But you can open a terminal and there you go. Full on UNIX. Several of the things OS X does, like the graceful degradation of bling depending on the system specs should be cloned outright IMHO.
So following Apple’s lead in producing an exceptionally easy to use, pretty desktop which can, for the most part, configure itself depending on the hardware present and so on and so forth… is probably the way to go.
After all, how many people do you hear bitching about OS X compared Vista? Probably best to not follow Microsofts lead
One point that everyone seems to miss when comparing osX & Ubuntu is that Apple has 100% control over all of the hardware used by osX. We are comparing apples to oranges here (no pun intended). Ubuntu has to work for a wide variety of hardware components. If Canonical were to build its own laptop / desktop proprietary workstation, I have no doubt that everything in that workstation, wifi, bluetooth, etc. would work flawlessly with it. I am in no way suggesting that Canonical do this as I love having Ubuntu on every computer that I own.
A lot of good points raised here, Hal you are the man! We should really appreciate the hard work from everyone who has anything to do with development etc.
I beleive that as Ubuntu is really aimed at linux newbies through to experienced users their effort would be better spent ironing out problems such as Wi-Fi hardware not working and playback of copyrighted and encrypted media such as commercial dvd’s. I mean, I wouldn’t be able to convince my girlfriend to make the switch if she couldn’t watch the dvd’s she got for christmas. Nor could i get her to read a 200 page book on how to use the system. If it is aimed to attract (mostly) windows users it needs to be intuitive on a novice level, and not require users to open a TERMINAL!!?? It would probably panic me too if I didn’t know what it was.
As already stated, the windows user KNOWS it would work…