Desktop boost for Linux from OSDL

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 21 Jan 2004 at 12:46

Desktop versions of the GNU/Linux operating system received new impetus with the news that the Open Source Development Labs have formed a Desktop Linux Working Group initiative at LinuxWorld on New York.

Linux has first found favour as a server platform in the enterprise, but it's now casting its eye farther afield to take on Microsoft's hegemony in the desktop arena at least in the enterprise space.

'Linux has started to make inroads on the desktop in many areas of enterprise computing such as kiosks, fixed-function workstations, technical workstations and point of sale,' said Tim Witham, OSDL lab director. 'Of particular interest to our exploratory committee is how to accelerate the use of Linux where it has already demonstrated demand based upon its strengths.'

'We are excited to see OSDL providing a vendor-neutral setting where developers and corporate users can work together to further improve the Linux desktop and help corporations get the most out of their investment,' said Keith Packard of freedesktop.org, a free software project focused on interoperability and shared technology for desktop environments for the X Window System.

The initiative will study how desktop software is used and develop specifications and reference versions of the GNU/Linux platform for the desktop.

The Desktop Linux Working Group initiative joins the stable of Data Center Linux (DCL) and Carrier Grade Linux (CGL) projects already in progress as part of the OSDL's goal of increasing adoption of the platform.

The OSDL quotes research group IDC as predicting that Linux desktop systems will outpace Mac OS shipments this year.

'IDC is seeing increasing interest in Linux as a client operating environment.' said Dan Kusnetzky, VP of IDC's System Software research
group. 'IDC believes that common templates and frameworks, allowing all suppliers to develop compatible products, would accelerate the adoption cycle for Linux as a client operating environment.'