Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

I'm sorry, but comments like this is akin to a plumber cursing out the customer/homeowner for not knowing the exact spec of his house's plumbing system, when they have other things higher in their priority's list. People just want 'standards that work' within their known ecosystem - that's why we need to bring the good stuff to mainstream.

Don't take this the wrong way, I didn't bring up this example for its social/economic connotations; just to illustrate various layers in LIFE and that we should not be so self centric in understanding the world :)

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

luca: not that I don't agree with you per-se but I don't think that such an opinion is really relevant in this thread.

revamped: I use a few GUI apps and so far haven't found anything really out of whack myself. But yes I primarily use TUI apps simply because they fit my workflow better. And even those aren't always the best :)

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

I completely agree with you ysss (from a user perspective). I think 90% of the population wants easy to use software - that does what they need it to do - with the minimal amount of mouse clicks. If they have to click more than three mouse buttons, then they will have problems. Internet standards support is really way below their radar.

But the developer's standpoint is of course completely different .

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

The device, yes, but I see community developers making the most magical apps. ;)

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

Absolutely false. I use what's in my corporate environment, not decided by me at all. Current corporate email client is Lotus Notes and I hate it with a passion. Call me "ignorant, stupid, arrogant" or whatever, but if that or Outlook were my only choices I'd be all over Outlook like a dog on your leg.

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

The real magic is inside my pants, silly people. :)

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

Definitely agree with "absolutely false". First because different people have different needs and different products are built for different environments. I know of no stable, polished Linux email/calendar/contacts/todo/collaboration/IM/database product that can come close to competing in a corporate environment looking for a comprehensive communication solution.

That said, I find Lotus Notes far better than Outlook, especially for collaboration and database applications. It has extremely deep functionality which, unfortunately, is not easily unlocked. After you finish programming your N900, you should take a look at Notes/Domino programming in your spare time. ;)

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

Nope. I was trained a few years ago in Lotus (so-called) web and database development and was appalled at the crudeness of the tools, the severe lack of capability, and the IDE from hell. The email client now drives me nuts on a daily basis with its counterintuitive menu system. Whoever designed Lotus have to be sadists. I'd pierce my eyes with fish hooks before I voluntarily developed anything for Notes or Domino. Crap I'd even rather just use Ovi.

:p

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

Well, I'm guessing we all think we're in that 90%. But if there's someone here that thinks they're in that other 10%, I'd love to hear from you.

Re: "Linux can compete with the iPad on price, but where’s the magic? "
 

I'd be in the 0.1% of people that prefer writing a script which does 1000 mouse-clicks worth in a single execution. I think that GUIs are for apes (and slowly evolving humans). I hate to look at the screen through someone's fat fingers, mine included. I prefer written words to pictures. I like to hold a pen when I read and a stylus to interact with touch screens...

So sue me...