There are thousands of people who make New Year resolutions each year; whether they follow through and keep those resolutions is another story. Even companies review their books and make milestone speeches about greater expectations for the new year. Why shouldn’t it be any different for Linux?
Several bloggers have talked about their wishes for Linux in 2011. Each writer expressed hope that it would be a successful year for Linux. Still, the actual tone of the articles was typical of the bloggers at the Broken Window’s Lounge, contemplative and somber, probably because they were still reminiscing.
Barbara Hudson, also known as Tom on Slashdot, says that she will be very happy if Linux continues on the same path it is currently on, steadily improving the software and promoting awareness of Open Source. She is a little more conservative, stating that people will make the switch from Windows to Linux eventually, when they are ready to trust another operating system.
On the other side of the coin, blogger Robert Pogson goes so far as to predict that in one year’s time, store shelves will be piled high with desktops, netbooks, and notebooks running GNU/Linux or ARM. He points out that mobile phones were first to use this technology because they are small, but he says that 2011 is the time to put it on bigger devices.
Many others had opinions, hopes, and wishes for Linux in 2011, including wishes for better video driver support, the release of LedgerSMB 2.0, and retesting and releasing the IPv6 because IPv4 addresses are almost out.
Many of these Linux people simply want to continue using this great product, which is still unknown to so many, and raise public awareness about Linux. There is a push for a “Year of the Linux Desktop,” though this hope for the new year might be a stretch.