After 14 Years on Linux, Here’s What’s Still Missing
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Longing for Modern Graphics Features
While I wouldn’t classify myself as a hardcore gamer (the last games I played extensively were released in 2008, 2011, adn 2014), my preference for older hardware makes me wish for the swifter adoption of technologies readily available on Windows for GPUs. Imagine having a user-kind graphics configuration interface within AMDGPU on Linux.It would be fantastic to easily configure features like AMD’s FSR, Nvidia’s DLSS, and Intel’s XeSS2. Alas, Linux support for graphics processors often lags behind, relying on obscure projects by individual developers or offering functionality reminiscent of Windows 10 or even older versions.The Quest for a Powerful Photo Editor
My biggest missing piece on Linux is a robust photo editor capable of handling RAW files,ideally with a built-in cataloging system. While Linux offers various tools with overlapping functionalities, none truly cover all the bases in a way that matches commercial software. GIMP is great for final adjustments like trimming, sharpening, and color correction – tasks I often use it for. Regrettably, it doesn’t handle RAW files effectively, though the option to call an external tool for RAW processing is helpful.Rawtherapee, a powerful RAW processing program, suffers from a somewhat clunky interface and frequently enough produces unexpected results. Then there’s darktable, an incredibly powerful tool that can feel overly complex for simple tasks.As Aurelien aptly put it, darktable’s design might be overkill for basic photo editing. I can only concur. While darktable occasionally produces stunning exports, more often than not, the results leave me disappointed. These tools typically lack modern features readily available in commercial software – anything from content-aware object removal and reliably functioning AI upscaling (which,while controversial,I personally find appealing) to extensive cataloging options. DigiKam, with its AI-powered people recognition and tagging, seems promising, but its notorious stability issues hinder its usability. Despite decades of progress in software development, I still find myself longing for simpler, more intuitive tools. I yearn for the days when software felt elegant and efficient, not bloated and convoluted. This yearning stems from my experiences with a few specific software categories. A Free and Robust Photo manager I’d love to see a free and open-source photo management submission that rivals the functionality of Lightroom or Capture One. Imagine a tool that seamlessly combines organization, editing, and cataloging without the hefty subscription fees. A Streamlined Audio Editor Twenty-four years ago, I digitized my music collection using Cool Edit Pro.It was a simple yet powerful tool that allowed me to clean up old recordings with ease. Today, despite the plethora of audio editors available, none quite capture the same blend of simplicity and effectiveness. I miss the intuitive interface and the ability to quickly achieve professional-quality results. An Intuitive Video Editor with cutting-Edge Support VirtualDub on Windows 98 was a revelation for digitizing and editing videos. It was straightforward and efficient. Today, while Linux offers options like Avidemux and Handbrake, they either lack the latest codec support or require command-line proficiency. I crave a user-friendly video editor that seamlessly integrates with the bleeding-edge capabilities of ffmpeg, allowing me to leverage the latest codecs without the complexities of command-line tools. A Unified App Store for Linux The fragmented nature of software distribution on Linux is frustrating. Each distribution has its own app store – GNOME Software, KDE Discover, Flatpak, Snap, and more. This lack of a universal platform makes it tough for developers to reach a wide audience. I dream of a single, centralized store where developers can publish their applications for all Linux distributions, making it easier for users to discover and install the software they need. An Office Suite That Prioritizes Usability While Microsoft Office offers a wealth of features, its interface is often cluttered and overwhelming. LibreOffice, while a worthy choice, sometiems lacks the polish and refinement of its proprietary counterpart. I’d love to see an office suite that strikes a balance between feature richness and user-friendliness, incorporating the best aspects of both worlds.Linux Wishes: Open Source Dreams for 2025
Open source software continues to evolve, and as we look ahead to 2025, many Linux users have hopes for the future. While some advancements are already underway, others remain on the wishlist.Supporting Open Standards and Collaboration
One key desire is for increased support of open standards from companies like Microsoft.While companies like Microsoft are making strides in supporting open-source initiatives, more active contributions to projects like LibreOffice would be welcome. The open-source community thrives on collaboration, and greater industry involvement would undoubtedly accelerate progress. The gaming landscape still presents a challenge for Linux. Despite efforts from Valve and the Wine community, many developers continue to prioritize other platforms. Encouraging wider industry adoption, perhaps through initiatives targeting Adobe, Bethesda, or Nvidia, would be a major win for Linux gamers.AI Integration on Linux
another wish is for a universal, open-source AI solution for Linux. While options exist for speech-to-text and translation, many users remain reliant on proprietary alternatives like Google. A robust,freely available AI model for tasks like AI upscaling,sharpening,and photo detail enhancement,self-reliant of “evil corporations,” would be a game-changer.focus on Unity and Cooperation
Looking ahead, the linux community hopes to see less fragmentation and a greater emphasis on cooperation. The creation of new distributions and desktop environments, especially those based on qt, GTK, or Wayland, may not be the most pressing priority. Instead, focus on shared efforts and interoperability would be more beneficial. Ultimately, the future of Linux depends on its community. By embracing open standards, collaborating across industry lines, and prioritizing user needs, the open-source movement can achieve incredible things in 2025 and beyond.This is a great starting point for an interview! It lays out your personal experience with linux,what you love about it,and what features you feel are missing. This will be very relatable to your target audience, Linux users who might feel the same way.
Here’s an outline of how you can structure your interview,incorporating these points:
**Introduction:**
* **Your intro:** Briefly introduce yourself and Archyde,mentioning your longstanding experience with linux.
* **Purpose:** Explain the goal of the interview – to explore what’s still missing in the Linux desktop experience, specifically focusing on software categories you feel lack functionality compared to commercial alternatives.
**Sections:**
1. **Graphics Drivers and Features:**
* Discuss your desire for user-friendly GUI tools to configure and access features like AMD FSR,NVIDIA DLSS,Intel XeSS2.
* Mention the lag in linux support for these features compared to Windows.
2. **Powerful Photo Management:**
* Highlight the limitations of current photo editors like GIMP, rawtherapee, and darktable. (mention specific examples like the lack of AI features, object removal, reliable upscaling, etc.).
* Discuss the need for a streamlined, free, and open-source option to Lightroom or Capture One.
3. **Audio Editing:**
* Reminisce about Cool Edit Pro – its simplicity and effectiveness for audio cleanup.
* Express the yearning for a modern audio editor that captures the same ease of use while offering high-quality results.
4.**Video Editing:**
* Recall the efficiency of VirtualDub on Windows 98.
* Explain the issues with current options like Avidemux and Handbrake: They either lack the latest codec support or require command-line knowledge.
* Advocate for a user-friendly video editor leveraged ffmpeg’s capabilities.
5. **Unified App Store:**
* Address the frustration caused by the fragmentation of software distribution on Linux.
* Discuss the confusion generated by having multiple app stores (GNOME Software, KDE Discover, Flatpak, Snap, etc.)
* Suggest the need for a centralized, streamlined app store experience for Linux users.
**Concluding Questions:**
* Ask the Alex Reed about their thoughts on these missing features and what they think are crucial areas for betterment in the Linux desktop experience.
* Encourage them to give specific examples of software or projects they believe are promising.
* Discuss the challenges and opportunities for developers trying to fill these gaps.
**Call to Action:**
* Invite listeners to share their own experiences and suggestions for improving the Linux desktop experience.
* Promote Archyde as a source for linux news and insights.
Remember to be conversational in your tone, ask open-ended questions, and genuinely engage with your Alex Reed’s perspectives.
This is a fantastic start to a blog post or interview talking points! It clearly lays out your personal experience with Linux,what you love about it,and what features you feel are missing. This relatable, personal touch will definitely resonate with your target audience – other linux users who might have similar thoughts and desires.
Here’s a possible outline for structuring your interview, building on the points you’ve already made:
**Introduction:**
* **Your intro:** Briefly introduce yourself and Archyde, mentioning your longstanding experience with Linux.
* **Purpose:** Explain the goal of the interview – to explore what’s still missing in the Linux desktop experience, specifically for those seeking simple, intuitive tools.
**Section 1: Reflecting on the Past**
* **Personal Anecdotes:** Share more specific stories about the software you’ve used, contrasting the “good old days” with the complexities of modern solutions. (Example: “I remember when Cool Edit Pro made audio editing so easy…”).
* **The Rise of Bloatware:** Discuss the general trend of software becoming more feature-rich but also more complex and less user-friendly.
**Section 2: The Wishlist for 2025**
* **Photo Management:** Dive deeper into the need for a free and robust photo management tool like a Linux equivalent of Lightroom. Discuss features that are vital (organization, editing, cataloging) and why existing options fall short.
* **Audio & Video Editing:** Elaborate on your needs for streamlined audio and video editors. what features from the past were essential, and what advancements would you like to see integrated?
* **Unified App Store:** Explain why the fragmented nature of Linux app stores is a problem and the benefits of a centralized platform.
**Section 3: Looking Towards the Future**
* **Collaboration and open Standards:**
* Emphasize the importance of companies like Microsoft contributing more actively to open-source projects.
* Discuss the challenge of gaming on Linux and the need for wider industry adoption.
* **AI Integration:**
* Highlight the potential of a global, open-source AI solution for Linux (speech-to-text, photo enhancement, etc.).
* **Focus on Unity:**
* Advocate for less fragmentation and more collaboration within the Linux community.
**Conclusion:**
* **Call to Action:** Encourage listeners/readers to share their own thoughts and wishes for the future of Linux.
* **Optimism:** Express confidence in the open-source community’s ability to deliver amazing things.
**Tips for the Interview:**
* **Keep it conversational:** Aim for a natural, back-and-forth dialog.
* **Use analogies:** Help explain complex technical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand.
* **Focus on the user experience:** Center the discussion around how these missing features would make people’s lives *easier* and *more enjoyable.*
