Lack Of App Support Stunting Linux

Corporate adoption of Linux desktops is hindered by the inability to run Windows applications, the difficulty of installing and managing peripheral devices and the challenge of making users feel comfortable with the open-source operating system, a survey shows.

With desktop Linux remaining an anomaly in businesses, the Open Source Development Lab decided to identify technical and social barriers to its adoption. The number one inhibitor, according to an online survey in October that received 3,300 responses, was the lack of support for new and existing non-open source desktop applications and utilities.

The latter included such technologies as virtual private network clients, while examples of desired applications included Adobe Systems' Photoshop and PageMaker, as well as Autodesk's AutoCAD and Intuit's Quicken financial software.