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#REDIRECT [[Linux range of use#Desktop]]
{{Infobox
|title = Desktop Linux
{{Rcat shell|
|image = [[File:Gnome.png|250px]]
{{R to section}}
|caption = The [[GNOME]] desktop environment, a popular Linux desktop environment
}}
'''Desktop Linux''', also called '''Linux on the desktop''', refers to specialized [[Linux distribution]]s with features designed for desktop [[personal computer]] users. These features include a graphical user interface and personal use applications.
Some Linux distributions have targeted the desktop role specifically, while others include all the software available for the platform. In that case, the user will be given the choice to select either a "desktop" or "server" type when the operating system is installed.
== Desktop environments ==
Linux offers many desktop alternatives. Common desktop environments include [[KDE]], [[GNOME]], [[Xfce]], [[LXDE]], [[Unity (desktop environment)|Unity]] and [[Cinnamon (user interface)|Cinnamon]]. These are collections of desktop programs, rather than bare bones [[X window manager|window managers]] such as [[FVWM]], [[IceWM]] amongst numerous others. These environments present a [[GUI]] using a [[desktop metaphor]]. All of these environments allow the user to set many personal preferences and to perform common system management tasks. The [[Compiz]] window manager expands upon the concept of having multiple desktops by rendering each of the user's two dimensional desktops on the surface of a three dimensional cube. The variety of desktop environments is sometimes criticized for splintering focus and creating incompatibilities; the [[freedesktop.org]] project works on improving interoperability between the different environments.
All Linux desktop applications use the [[X Window System]] and thus benefit from features like networking (remote display) and quick mouse-only [[cut, copy, and paste]]. Mouse selected text is automatically copied, and it can then be pasted using a middle click, without the need to resort to use of the keyboard.<ref name="About">{{cite web|url = http://linux.about.com/library/bl/open/newbie/blnewbie4.3.10.htm|title = Linux Newbie Administrator FAQ: X-Windows[sic]|accessdate = 2008-05-13|last = About, Inc|authorlink = |year = 2008}}</ref>
=== Components of the Linux Desktop ===
[[File:Free and open-source-software display servers and UI toolkits.svg|thumb|left|Illustrates software components of the Linux desktop stack like the display server, compositor, UI toolkits, dekstop shells and even desktop widets]]
Obviously there is no "one" Linux Desktop, but rather there is a pool of [[free and open-source software]] from which Desktop environments / Linux distributions select components with which they construct a GUI implementing some more or less strict design guide. GNOME for example has its [[Human interface guidelines]], as a design guide, which gives the Human-Machine Interface an important role, not just when doing the graphical design, but also when looking at people with [[disability|disabilities]] and even when looking at security.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/562902/ |title=Prompt-free security for GNOME}}</ref>
* the [[C standard library]] for the [[Linux kernel]] which offers programs APIs to the Linux kernel; by far the most poplar one is [[GNU C Library]] but there are a couple of alternative, such as e.g. [[uClibc]] which targets embedded devices; (''the C standard library is actually that elemental to the entire [[operating system]] that it cannot be considered part of the DE, yet components of the DE extensively make use of it, so it is mentioned here. It is also noteworthy because [[Android (operating system)|Android]] is based on [[Bionic (software)|libbionic]], and some [[device driver]]s written for Android specifically can only be used with the help of [[Hybris (software)|libhybris]].'')
* a non-obvious but quite central role have the programs hosted by [[freedesktop.org]]; both big DEs, GNOME and KDE SC, include them, each offering graphical front-ends written using the correspondent toolkit (GTK+ or Qt)
* a [[display server]] which for the longest time has been communicating in the X11 display server protocol with its clients; a prominent software talking X11 are the [[X.Org Server]] and [[Xlib]]. Frustration over the cumbersome X11 core protocol and especially over its numerous extensions, have lead to the creation of a new display server protocol: [[Wayland (display server protocol)|Wayland]].
* numerous [[window manager]]s, more precisely [[X window manager]]s and [[Wayland compositor]]s
* Desktop shells, e.g. [[GNOME Shell]], [[Cinnamon (user interface)|Cinnamon]] or [[KDE Plasma Workspaces]]
* [[List of toolkits|Toolkits]] to write applications, e.g. [[Nautilus (file manager)|Nautilus]] or [[Dolphin (file manager)|Dolphin]] or [[Thunar]]
== Criticism ==
[[Ingo Molnár]] describes the core problem of the Linux desktop being it not being free enough because it rather implements the Cathedral then the Bazaar approach (from ''[[The Cathedral and the Bazaar]]''): "Free software matters to developers and organizations primarily, but on the user side, the free code behind Linux desktops is immaterial if free software does not deliver benefits such as actual freedom of use":<ref name="molnar2012-1">{{cite web|url=https://plus.google.com/109922199462633401279/posts/HgdeFDfRzNe
|quote=''The basic failure of the free Linux desktop is that it's, perversely, not free enough. There's been a string of Linux desktop quality problems, specific incidents reported by +Linas Vepstas , +Jon Masters , +Linus Torvalds and others, and reading the related G+ discussions made me aware that many OSS developers don't realize what a deep hole we are in. The desktop Linux suckage we are seeing today - on basically all the major Linux distributions - are the final symptoms of mistakes made 10-20 years ago - the death cries of a platform. Desktop Linux distributions are trying to "own" 20 thousand application packages consisting of over a billion lines of code and have created parallel, mostly closed ecosystems around them. The typical update latency for an app is weeks for security fixes (sometimes months) and months (sometimes years) for major features. They are centrally planned, hierarchical organizations instead of distributed, democratic free societies.'' |first=Ingo |last=Molnar |date=2012-03-17 |title=Technology: What ails the Linux desktop? Part I. |accessdate=2012-06-16 |publisher=plus.google.com}}</ref>
<ref name="molnar2012">{{cite web|url=https://plus.google.com/109922199462633401279/posts/VSdDJnscewS |quote=''So, to fix desktop Linux we need a radically different software distribution model: less of a cathedral, more of a bazaar. [...] - totally flat package dependencies (i.e. a package update does not forcibly pull in other package updates) [...] - a guaranteed ABI platform going forward (once a package is installed it will never break or require forced updates again). Users want to be free of update pressure from the rest of the system, if they choose to.''|date=2012-03-17 |title=Technology: What ails the Linux desktop? Part II. |accessdate=2012-06-16 |publisher=plus.google.com |author=[[Ingo Molnar]]}}</ref>
Most Linux distributions provide a [[package management system]] program, such as [[Synaptic (software)|Synaptic]] or [[PackageKit]], for browsing a list of thousands of [[free software]] applications that have already been tested and configured for a specific distribution. These free programs can be downloaded and installed with one mouse click.<ref name="Debian01">{{cite web|url = http://wiki.debian.org/Synaptic|title = Debian Wiki - Synaptic|accessdate = 2008-10-11|last = Debian|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = May}}</ref> A digital signature guarantees that the program was not modified after the download package was created and the [[package manager]] automatically tracks and installs updates as they become available.<ref name="Debian02">{{cite web|url = http://wiki.debian.org/SecureApt|title = Debian Wiki - secure apt|accessdate = 2008-10-11|last = Debian|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = September}}</ref>
Besides the free Windows compatibility layer [[Wine (software)|Wine]], most distributions offer [[dual boot]] and [[x86 virtualization]] for running both Linux and Windows on the same computer.
== History ==
{{See also|History of free software#Desktop}}
Historically, [[UNIX]] and other [[Unix-like]] operating systems have been utilized on [[Server (computing)|servers]], [[Mainframe computer|mainframes]], and [[workstation]]s in corporate or scientific environments. Beginning in the late 90s, a few [[Linux distribution]] companies, such as [[Mandriva|MandrakeSoft]], began to advertise their systems for low-end desktop computers.
=== History and criticism ===
{{Main|Criticism of desktop Linux}}
[[Image:KDE 4.png|thumb|right|[[KDE]] desktop environment]]
KDE was the first advanced desktop environment, but it was controversial due to the then-proprietary Qt toolkit used.<ref name=KDEvGNOME2007>[[Bruce Byfield|Byfield B]]. (2007). [http://www.datamation.com/osrc/article.php/3671906/KDE-vs-GNOME-Is-One-Better.htm KDE vs. GNOME: Is One Better?]. ''[[Datamation]]''.</ref> GNOME was developed as an alternative due to licensing questions.<ref name=KDEvGNOME2007/> The two use a different underlying toolkit and thus involve different programming, and are sponsored by two different groups, German nonprofit [[KDE e.V.]] and the United States nonprofit [[GNOME Foundation]].
As of April 2007, one journalist estimated that KDE had 65% of market share versus 26% for GNOME.<ref name=KDEvGNOME2007/> In January 2008, KDE 4 was released prematurely with bugs, driving users to GNOME.<ref name=UserRevolt>Byfield B. (2011). [http://www.datamation.com/osrc/article.php/3928841/Will-GNOME-30-Repeat-the-User-Revolt-of-KDE-40.htm Will GNOME 3.0 Repeat the User Revolt of KDE 4.0?]. ''Datamation''.</ref> GNOME 3, released in April 2011, was called an "unholy mess" by [[Linus Torvalds]] due to its controversial [[Controversy over GNOME 3|design changes]].<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/08/05/linus_slams_gnome_three/ Linus Torvalds dubs GNOME 3 'unholy mess']. ''The Register''.</ref>
Dissatisfaction with GNOME 3 led to a fork, [[Cinnamon (user interface)|Cinnamon]], which is developed primarily by [[Linux Mint]] developer Clement LeFebvre. This restores the more traditional desktop environment with marginal improvements.
The relatively well-funded distribution Ubuntu designed (and released in June 2011) another user interface called [[Unity (user interface)|Unity]] which is radically different from the conventional desktop environment and has been criticized as having various flaws<ref>[http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/03/unity/ What’s wrong with Unity & how we can fix it]. ''OMG Ubuntu''.</ref> and lacking configurability.<ref>[http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/11/ubuntu-desktop-designers-clarify-on-configurability Ubuntu Desktop Designers: ‘Unity Should Be Configurable’]. ''OMG Ubuntu''.</ref> The motivation was a single desktop environment for desktops and tablets,{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}} although as of November 2012 Unity has yet to be used widely in tablets. However, the smartphone and [[Ubuntu phone OS|tablet version of Ubuntu]] and its Unity interface was unveiled by [[Canonical Ltd]] in January 2013.
== Year of Desktop Linux ==
Since at least 2000, articles declaring that ''"20XX will be the year of Linux on the desktop"'' or ''"year of the Linux desktop"'' (YoLD) have been published by a number of tech-related magazines and websites. This refers to an expected breakthrough in [[Linux adoption]] by business corporations and personal users. The reasons for these forecast gains include the installation of a Linux distribution on the desktops of workers for organizations or companies who may not be immediately or otherwise involved in the computing industry, or the acceleration of development for specific applications which find their greatest use on desktop Linux distributions. It can also refer to a breakthrough in the number of pre-installed Linux distributions on [[personal computer]]s being sold by PC manufacturers such as [[Dell]] and [[Hewlett-Packard]].<ref name="MaximumPC">{{cite web |url = http://www.maximumpc.com/article/2008_year_of_the_linux_desktop |title = 2008: Year of the Linux Desktop |accessdate = 2008-05-23 |last = Strohmeyer |first = Robert |authorlink = |year = 2007 |month = June}}</ref><ref name="AYSiu">{{cite web |url = http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/the-linux-desktop-myth/ |title = The Linux Desktop Myth |accessdate = 2008-08-31|last = Siu|first = A.Y. |authorlink = |year = 2006|month = July}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=NVHVS3SP4QWBIQSNDLRSKH0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=201807072&pgno=1&queryText=&isPrev=|title=7 Reasons Why Linux Won't Succeed On The Desktop |last=Wolfe |first=Alexander |date=2007-09-19 |publisher=Information Week |accessdate=2009-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9911/19/comdex.linux.idg/index.html |work=CNN |title=Comdex: Linux, Linux everywhere |date=1999-11-18 |accessdate=2010-05-01}}</ref><ref>http://www.pcworld.com/article/13908/linux_linux_everywhere.html</ref>
== Performance ==
The performance of Linux on the desktop has been a controversial topic, with at least one Linux kernel developer, [[Con Kolivas]], accusing the Linux community of favouring performance on servers. He quit Linux development because he was frustrated with this lack of focus on the desktop, and then gave a 'tell all' interview on the topic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Linux: why I quit|url=http://apcmag.com/node/6735/|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2007-07-24|work=APC Magazine|publisher=ACP Magazines}}</ref>
Other sources, such as mainstream press [[The Economist]] disagree with this assessment that there has not been enough focus on desktop Linux, saying in December 2007:
<blockquote>...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 (operating system)|Ubuntu]] 7.10 from [[Canonical Ltd.|Canonical]]. Along with distributions such as [[Linspire]], [[Linux Mint|Mint]], [[Xandros]], [[OpenSUSE]] and [[gOS (operating system)|gOS]], Ubuntu (and its siblings [[Kubuntu]], [[Edubuntu]] and [[Xubuntu]]) has smoothed most of Linux’s geeky edges while polishing it for the desktop...It’s now simpler to set up and configure than Windows.<ref name="Economist">{{cite news|url = http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10410912|title = Technology in 2008|accessdate = 2008-05-06|last = Economist.com|authorlink = |year = 2007|month = December|work=The Economist}}</ref></blockquote>
== Measuring adoption ==
{{Main|Linux adoption}}
Measuring the adoption of Linux on the desktop is a difficult proposition and has caused controversy as to how many users there actually are.<ref name="Schestowitz">{{cite web|url = http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/12068_3687616_1|title = Can Linux Adoption Ever be Accurately Gauged?|accessdate = 2008-05-23|last = Schestowitz|first = Roy|authorlink = |year = 2007|month = July}}</ref>
As Linux systems are typically downloaded, copied and distributed for free, the usual methods of tracking sales numbers do not apply in gauging numbers of Linux desktop users. This use of website counters to identify operating systems also does not produce reliable numbers, due to such factors as:<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*individual websites do not attract a representative sample, due to their content.<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*spoofing of addresses.<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*problems tagging identification strings as to Linux or even distribution results in high numbers of "unknown operating system".<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*identifying computers that operate from behind proxies.<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*the multiplying effects of [[botnet]]s which tend to create the illusion of more insecure PCs, running Windows systems.<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*the fact that not all PCs are connected to the internet and used for web browsing.<ref name="Schestowitz"/>
*one download could result in none or whole site installations
== See also ==
{{Portal|Free software}}
{{Wikipedia books|Desktop Linux}}
* [[Desktop Linux Summit]]
* [[Desktop wars]]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
* [http://www.desktoplinux.com/ DesktopLinux.com]
* [http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/the-linux-desktop-myth/ ''The Linux Desktop Myth'']
{{Linux}}
[[Category:Linux]]
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