I am neither a Linux vendor nor a programmer. I am, however, a Linux end user. As such, I can attest to the error in some of Michael Gartenberg’s comments [“Linux Still Doesn’t Make It on Desktop,” Opinion, Oct. 1].

A search for "linux ready for desktop" brings millions of results on any search engine. The phrase "Linux Desktop Year" has been around 5 years now. Over the years, the question on its validity has been asked again and again. Fundamentally what does one mean by "Linux Desktop Year"?

A recent story at NewsForge made the point that people have been over-using the phrase; "ready for the desktop" a lot for the Linux desktop lately. His point, besides the fact that it's gotten to be one tired phrase, is that the real question is: whether "the OS is ready for your desktop? "

I'm going to talk about the community's idiotic ... treatment of this subject. Too many other people have talked about what the problems are, and why they do or do not matter, to discuss that would be a waste of my time. I'm going to discuss why those people are all focusing on the WRONG thing.

We know Linux has enough potential to be a consumer desktop and we also know that Linux has less than 2% of desktop market share. Let's admit the truth. Linux enthusiasts may site a thousand reasons on why Linux does not sit on consumer desktops, or conversely why people are not ready to Linux even after Linux is absolutely ready.

If we want to see 2010 as a major movement year for desktop Linux deployments, we need to stop talking about it as if it "has not been ready" but "could now be ready." ... No one is willing to give up their favorite applications, or key tools, to move to a new environment -- even if it is far superior in quality, stability and cost.

Userful Corporation, the world leader in multiseat Linux desktop virtualization, today announced that 30,000 schools worldwide have chosen Userful virtual desktops to reduce computing costs and improve computer-to-student ratios.

Michael Gartenberg, a former Microsoft evangelist, is at it again (badmouthing GNU/Linux)

Canada-based Omni Technology Solutions has teamed up with Novell South Africa, Userful, and Pinnacle Micro to provide the Linux desktop computers for the "Let's Play a Million" South African telethon on June 27, 2007. Each of the telethon locations will be equipped with a five-user SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop