Replies

Shuttleworth is wrong on this. First, the problem with desktop Linux isn't that the various desktops don't release in sync....Microsoft and Apple have different release schedules, and it doesn't hurt them.

Second, 6 months is too fast for the end user. I'm an IT pro, and I don't want to have to deal with new desktop software every six months. Joe Q Public certainly doesn't want that. 18 to 24 months is far more realistic if you're going to truly make quality desktops with reasons to upgrade.

The more I think about it, what both KDE and the GNOME people should do is not make desktop software for all distros, but to make their own distros. A KDE distro, and a GNU OS (with GNOME as the sole desktop) I think would be more successful if the goal is to get more standardized unix-like desktops out there. Windows and OS X each have one desktop. The non-hacker likes the familiar. He doesn't care that you can install a dozen different GUIs. He wants to see one that he likes, and which acts in an easy to understand, consistent manner. A KDE OS, and a GNU OS would have more success in the long run I think.

Shuttle worth is not proposing only one desktop he is proposing that they just release at the same time (like you I think 6 months is nuts! but maybe one year?). Micorsoft and Apple compete so they dont want to release on the same day you are going to buy one or the other but in getting one of them you reduce the resources you have to purchase the other. KDE and Gnome do not compete in that manner you can get both without reducing your resources so a big ol’ Today is the Day KDE, Gnome, and Openoffice come out is kind of neat just not practical.

Shuttleworth is not a developer and his believe three non related products can hit the same release date with any kind of efficiency shows it. Though if he puts his money behind it it could work.

Maybe he should sponsor two days a year as ‘OSS release days’ and donate to the projects if they have one of their major releases that day (KDE, GNOME, OpenOffice, Gimp, ....) It would require a steering committee to keep only projects that warrant the attention on the list of potential beneficiaries but it would be interesting.