A few months back I started talking about my plans for developing and marketting a series of commercial, closed source applications for Linux.

This was met, rightfully so, with many questions (and a healthy dose of skepticism).

I put out an argument that commercial software on Linux is not only not a threat to the open source roots of the Linux desktop… but, quite contrary, the two can benefit each other a great deal.

But that’s another topic I’ll ramble on about on another day.

What I want to talk about right now is focus.  Both real and perceived.

Apple put forth, a few years back, that the Mac is the “Center of your Digital Lifestyle”.  And backed that up by combining their core media applications (iPhoto, iMovie, etc) into one “iLife” suite.  And they really pushed that concept.

And that has helped them in many areas.  It has improved the public perception of their system.  It has helped focus many third party developers into a set of niche features… which helps make their platform even stronger in those areas.  And it’s helped them with sales.

Linux is in the almost opposite position.  It is, for most people, a very general desktop system.  Sure it’s the most flexible, theme-able, customizable and best looking. Sure it’s fast, stable and runs on loads of hardware.  But there’s a lack of focus.

So I decided, being the self-aggrandizing fellow that I am, that I would take it upon myself to dictate what I want that focus right now to be.

Thus:

Linux.  The Center of Your Literate Lifestyle.

(A side-note.  Apparently that phrase hit a chord with some people: http://literatelifestyle.net/about/)

And to force the issue, I’ve released my first commerical application for Linux.  A comic book organizer and reader.  And I’ll be following that up with an eBook organizer/reader/syncer along the same lines.

I want people to think of Linux as the system if you are intelligent.

Read books?  Read graphic novels?  Then you need to use Linux.

If we can hit a point where that is obvious to many (including those not currently using Linux)… well… that would be pretty freaking great.