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The Criticism of Linux focuses on issues concerning use of the Linux operating system as a desktop workstation.

Viability for use as a desktop system

Linux has been criticized in the past for being inadequate for desktop use, notably because of the perceived lack of viable versions of widely used applications (especially office suites) and hardware support issues, which is claimed particularly problematic for laptop users as they tend to use many proprietary devices. A steep learning curve of Linux beyond basic use, various incompatibilities with other operating systems, and difficulty involved with setting up hardware are also notable complaints. Further, Linux has been accused of being "not ideal" for intermediate power users.

More recent Linux distributions have directly addressed these concerns and have greatly improved Linux as a desktop operating system.

A report in The Economist in December 2007 concluded:

"Linux has swiftly become popular in small businesses and the home. That’s largely the doing of Gutsy Gibbon, the code-name for the Ubuntu 7.10 from Canonical. Along with distributions such as Linspire, Mint, Xandros, OpenSUSE and gOS, Ubuntu (and its siblings Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Xubuntu) has smoothed most of Linux’s geeky edges while polishing it for the desktop. No question, Gutsy Gibbon is the sleekest, best integrated and most user-friendly Linux distribution yet. It’s now simpler to set up and configure than Windows."

Customer support

Linux has been criticized for its general lack of paid support available. While support is available for some distributions from companies such as Red Hat and Novell most users rely on mailing lists or forums for support. Due to Linux's maturity most questions and problems have been well documented and these free sources of support often produce answers more quickly than paid support will.

Hardware support

Linux has been broadly criticized in the past for its lack of support for hardware devices. This had meant that a Linux user had to carefully handpick the hardware that made up his system to ensure functionality and compatibility. These problems have been largely addressed.

Years ago, if you wanted to install Linux on a machine you had to make sure you hand-picked each piece of hardware or your installation would not work 100 percent...This is not so much the case now. You can grab a PC (or laptop) and most likely get one or more Linux distributions to install and work nearly 100 percent. But there are still some exceptions; for instance, hibernate/suspend remains a problem with many laptops, although it has come a long way.

At one time Linux systems required removable media, such as floppy discs and CD-ROMs to be manually mounted. This has generally been addressed and mounting media is now automatic in most distributions with the development of the HAL daemon.

Criticism by Microsoft

Microsoft has criticised Linux extensively through their Get the Facts campaign. In particular, they claim that the vulnerabilities of Windows are fewer in number than those of Linux distributions, that Windows is more reliable and secure than Linux, that the total cost of ownership of Linux is higher (due to complexity, acquisition costs, and support costs), that use of Linux places a burden of liability on businesses, and that “Linux vendors provide little, if any indemnification coverage.” In addition, the corporation published various studies in an attempt to prove this — the factuality of which has been heavily disputed by different authors who claim that Microsoft’s comparisons are flawed.

See also

• Comparison of Windows and Linux
• Linux
• Unix-haters handbook

References

1. Andy McCue (9 September 2005). "Gartner sounds desktop Linux warning". ZNet.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-04-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. Sharon Machlis (22 March 2007). "Living (and dying) with Linux in the workplace - A brief foray into Linux for the enterprise". Computerworld (Australia). Retrieved 2007-04-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. Ron Miller (20 May 2004). "Linux criticism revs up - backlash against success". Linux Planet. Retrieved 2007-04-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. Alexander Wolfe (9 April 2004). "Green Hills calls Linux 'insecure' for defense". EE Times. Retrieved 2007-04-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. ^ The Economist (2007). "Technology in 2008". Retrieved 2008-04-01. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
6. Wallen, Jack (2008). "Ten key differences between Linux and Windows, page one". Retrieved 2009-02-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
7. ^ Wallen, Jack (2008). "Ten key differences between Linux and Windows, page two". Retrieved 2009-02-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
8. Wallen, Jack (2008). "Ten key differences between Linux and Windows, page three". Retrieved 2009-02-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
9. "Get the Facts Home". Microsoft website. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
10. "Get the Facts on Linux and Windows: Security". Microsoft website. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
11. "Get the Facts on Linux and Windows: Reliability". Microsoft website. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
12. "Windows v Linux security: the real facts". The Register. 22 October 2004. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
13. "Get the Facts on Linux and Windows: Total Cost of Ownership". Microsoft website. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
14. "Get the Facts on Linux and Windows: Intellectual Property Indemnification". Microsoft website. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
15. Joe Barr (24 June 2005). "The facts behind the "Get the Facts" ad campaign". Newsforge. Retrieved 2007-04-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
16. Nicholas Petreley (22 October 2004). "Security Report: Windows vs Linux". Retrieved 2007-05-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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