In today's open source roundup: Can features found in Linux make Windows 9 better? Plus: Multiple desktops in Linux are still better than in Windows 9, and the future of Linux games might not be a bright one Microsoft is hard at work on Windows 9 in a desperate attempt to recover from the Windows 8 debacle that angered many users and generated a ton of media criticism. The Register recently noted that Microsoft was apparently…er…inspired by Linux in one feature found in Windows 9, and now PC World thinks that there are five more great features that Microsoft should…er…borrow from Linux. According to PC World: If the latest Windows 9 leaks are any indication, some of the operating system’s coolest new features will look a lot like what Linux users already enjoy: Like the virtual desktops Linux users have had since the 90’s, and a centralized notification center like the one available in GNOME Shell. But there are other great Linux features Microsoft should copy, too. And hey, I’m not just complaining here—Windows would legitimately be better if they stole these features. As Apple once said: “Redmond, start your photocopiers.” 1. A Package manager (desktop store). 2. Software repositories (open app store). 3. Easy always-on-top for application windows. 4. Web app integration. 5. Tiling window management. More at PC World They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so I wouldn’t blame Microsoft if they “borrowed” some of these features from Linux. It would make more sense than some of the bizarre things they did in Windows 8 that irritated so many people, and it might make Windows 9 much better than it would be otherwise. However, it would also probably indicate that innovation and creative thoughts are in short supply these days at Microsoft. And that’s not a good thing at all for that company. Given the money it has, and the huge number of employees, you’d think that Microsoft could come up with some great ideas on their own. I’m not optimistic about Microsoft’s future, they still seem to be stumbling these days and somehow I doubt that Windows 9 – not matter how much it poaches from Linux – is really going to save them. The world is moving on from the days of Microsoft’s desktop dominance, and that’s a good thing for all of us. Why multiple desktops are still better in Linux than in Windows 9 Speaking of Windows 9, Softpedia explains why multiple desktops in Linux work better than the ones we’ve seen so far in Microsoft’s upcoming operating system. According to Softpedia: The only advantage spotted in the Windows build is the way users can create and delete virtual desktops. Apparently, this can be done on the fly. In Ubuntu, users need to install an application from the repository, called Unity Tweak, that allows them to change the default number of desktops, which is currently four. Other than that, everything else is way behind. Moving apps from one desktop to another looks to be rather unintuitive, you can’t activate the option with hot corners, it’s difficult to say what apps are open and where, not to mention the fact that you can’t really tell where you are when you have all those desktops open. More at Softpedia Oops! Perhaps I spoke too soon about Microsoft’s ability to poach features from Linux. I guess they still have some work to do on multiple desktops. No worries though, I’m sure whatever they come up with in Windows 9 will be tweaked after they read that Softpedia article. The future of Linux gaming Datamation has a sobering article about the future of commercial Linux games. According to Datamation: As I write, commercial Linux gaming is a bubble, consisting more of speculation than realized potential. Consider: in February 2013, the optional Steam Hardware and Software Survey showed that just over 2% of its users were running Linux. Apologists noted that Linux support was new, and insisted it could only increase, yet for over a year, the general trend has been downwards, until in August 2014, the percentage of Linux users was 1.06%. To say that commercial Linux games are a failed concept would be premature. However, we can now say with certainty that their success depends on that of the Steam Machine, and, perhaps, the manufacturers re-examining their approach — all of which should make for an exciting next couple of years. More at Datamation Thanks for that uplifting and optimistic article, Datamation. Ouch. I’m still of the mind that it’s early days in Linux gaming, and we must be patient to see how things play out over the next few years. I think it’s too soon to despair that commercial Linux games are a failure. Hopefully, we’ll have a much better idea once the Steam Machines are out and folks have had some time to buy games for them. What’s your take on all this? Tell me in the comments below. The opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of ITworld. Software DevelopmentOpen Source