Lack of innovation

There's something that annoys me about Linux, and is the obsession with
Microsoft. You see that obsession in Linux forums, reminding me of the
times when all you could read in a Mac magazine was comparisons to the
PC (a big inferiority complex, I think). But what is worst with Linux
and did not happen that much in the fanatic-Mac times, is about software
design. IMHO I don't believe we need more clones of Microsoft software
but new inventions, urgently. When it comes to email and PIM they'll
point you to Evolution (Outlook clone). When it comes to office
productivity, they'll point you to OpenOffice.org (an MS Office clone).
I would say to those making big efforts in cloning Microsoft that we
already have Microsoft-designed things, and we need an alternative, not
a free copy.
 
I long for simplicity, better user interface design, less features
better organised. I also long for risky moves like the Next computer,
concepts like the one in ClarisWorks, and so many innovations the Mac
brought to us (and that Microsoft finally copied...). Since programming
for Linux is not about making money, what is keeping Linux developers
from innovate? Why do so many take the easy road of cloning instead of
creating some totally new concepts?
 
I follow very closely the Mozilla Firebird project which I find
innovative and well thought (with the right goals, at least). I was
surprised to read the other day that they develop first for Windows,
then the others.
 
Maybe I just hear stuff from the ones that speak louder and people here
can point me to truly innovative Linux software focusing on humans (i.e.
well thought user interfaces), ease of use, simplicity, hidden power vs.
visible featuritis, etc.
 
Regards
 
Pablo

_______________________________________________
annoyances mailing list
[email protected]
http://michelangelo.renaissoft.com/mailman/listinfo/annoyances