Email determines the fate of Linux on the desktop

According to a recent survey by the OSDL (Open Source Development Labs), the lack of really effective email applications has hampered Linux's ability to expand on the desktop market.

The survey was conducted with over 3,300 people in October 2005 of OSDL, showing that without a qualified e-mail program, Linux could not become a convincing alternative for desktop users. E-mail is currently rated as the most important application on every platform.

The survey results show a very clear message that application providers need to focus more on developing the e-mail quality of Linux on the desktop.

Novell has released e-mail, calendar and utilities for Linux and the ability to connect to Microsoft Exchange. Open source Mozilla has just announced the Lightning route, which integrates Sunbird calendar application with Thunderbird e-mail program. Sunbird previously acted as a standalone extension to Firefox and Thunderbird.

In addition, inadequate support and user training difficulties also impact the deployment of Linux desktop. Some believe that training will be less burdensome if Linux is compatible with applications such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop.

People no longer think Linux is primarily used as a development and programming tool. The "cultural shift" is also taking place in businesses and more and more companies seriously consider open code. The cost of ownership is also a fundamental reason for Linux's entry into the desktop field.

This week, Richard Stallman, author of the GNU GPL system, said the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has decided to modify and revise the free software regulatory system. The new GNU version will be released in the spring of 2007 as GPLv3.

The driving force for this change is to meet the intellectual property requirements in general, not just the United States. According to Stallman, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Intellectual Property Rights Organization (WIPO) are working to standardize global copyright laws.

The current version of the GPL has been completed 15 years ago. Since then, WIPO has adopted many important regulations such as: WIPO copyright law, patent law and enforcement .

Stallman argues that the current GPL is no longer appropriate due to the rapid expansion of free software and open code. Research firm Gartner also predicts that by 2010, more than 75% of IT organizations will accept free software.

" We will still rely on four basic criteria: the freedom to research, copy, modify and redistribute the software people are using. The GPLv3 will be built to protect these freedoms according to social and technical conditions ".