* Posts by threenine

1 publicly visible post • joined 28 Aug 2013

Ubuntu Edge Linux mobe: 'Made you look,' crows Shuttleworth

threenine
Mushroom

Re: Operation Extinguish

Personally, I think the campaign was much more of a success than you realise, and Mark Shuttleworth has every right to "rebrand" it as such.

There are some key benefits realised from the campagin.

1. Ubuntu & Linux gained more exposure outside of geekdom - Alot of people I know, who are not so tech savvy are now "familiar" with Linux and it's existence. For example, my wife who despite using a Linux based OS for months in her Kindle Fire HD, asked me whether she should get a laptop with Linux on it, she heard that apparently "abundle" is really good. (We also have 5 laptops in the house already running ubuntu!)

2. Let manufacturers know that people are interested in more than just 4 OS's - i.e. Android, iOS, BB, Windows. Consumers have interest in other OS's this is good for competition and innovation.

3. Provided an indicator of where tech should be going - I for one really liked the idea, that I could actually carry 1 device, that could do everything. Gone are the days of lugging my laptop bag with all my devices. i.e. Tablet, Laptop, Phone, MP3 player, etc. I can have jsut one phone and 1 charger!

4. Highlighted the fact that there is an alternative path for innovation, instead of jsut waiting for a Steve Jobs type character to tell us what we need, rather the consumer can have a voice and an interest in innovation.

If you really analyse the campaign, you'll see there are a whole lot more positives that can be taken from it, than the one negative point of not obtaining funding.

I bet it won't be long before we actually see "Edge" make an appearance. I bet Shuttleworth is fielding calls from interested parties as we speak.