Will distributions like gOS bring the masses to Linux?

Over the last week since my short review on gOS and the introduction of the ASUS EEE PC with it's stream line version of Xandros I have been thinking about what value this has for the Linux OS and it's familiarity to the masses.

In the mainstream world of computing I think that Linux hasnt even touched everyone in a marketing sense of the word. I keep reading artciles throughout the internet about Linux and it's reference to being "The new Kid on the block" and even words like I have mentioned "The Scarce OS". Is Linux really that scarce? I suppose if one were able to count every Linux OS that is on a computer that it would indeed not mount to much in the big picture. Of course, I am comparing this to the total market share that Windows TM must have. It's strong hold on the whole computer industry is really staggering and give Microsoft credit they are a massive media machine and they did come along at the right time and provide everyone in my opinion probably their first look atr a computer going back to the old days of MS DOS.

Linux in the past has been considered a "Hackers OS" and probably in it's early days not given much respect. I suppose like my grandfather says to me "Respect is earned" and with the advancements of Linux in the past couple of years I feel it is time that the world should at least appreciate this OS.

gOS and others I feel are heading in the right direction. Why not market a Linux OS in it's simplest form. The gOS has a great frontend which has at ones hands all the neccessary tools to get one up and running on the internet. After all, that is what I feel the masses are after. A stable OS with all the tools to read email, post in a blog and browse the net. If you want the masses to stand up and notice I feel distributions like gOS are hitting a home run.

What is nice about this OS is that it still has the backend of Ubuntu 7.10. Ubuntu has really helped put Linux on the map and gOS has just made things a wee bit simpler.

Should Linux distributions head into this direction. I feel probably yes, distributions can still have their technical savay programs hidden in the background but really as gOS has done it has created a desktop that anyone can handle and after all that is like a baby beginning to walk and then after a while running it is a process that needs a beginning so marketing a Linux OS like this at least gets people in the door. After time, those new users of Linux are going to want more. This is human nature and Linux as we know it has that plus more.

Just a few comments I wanted to pass on as I follow the growth of Linux. Anytime we can bring another person into the Linux world is a plus and I feel gOS is just hit it right on the head of the nail. Good Luck gOS and I am glad you are here...

Michael Perks
ReviewLinux.Com