ANTenna Blog -- Networking & Communications

While I have encouraged readers to consider Linux on the desktop, I have come to the conclusion that it just isn't ready for small and medium sized businesses.

There are few that want to see Linux succeed on the desktop more than I, but I am ready to claim defeat. I read endless reviews and articles about how much progress has been made, and then someone like Walter Mossberg of the WSJ takes a look under the hood, and proclaims what I feared, Linux is not ready.

Listening to his review, I was resigned to the fact that now is not the time for anyone but a geek to waste effort on using Linux on a PC.

Let's face it, IT managers have enough problems with desktops - security, patches, blocking viruses, keeping employees happy but holding the line on downloading software and all day surf-fests. Can you imagine adding to the problem by giving the CEO or a sales rep a laptop that is unstable? That requires unexpected driver downloads to operate effectively?

It doesn't matter that Linux is "free" and more secure than windows. It isn't good enough yet. Until someone with the GUI experience of Apple or Microsoft actually invests in designing an acceptable front end, don't waste your time.