In a previous article about Google Chromebooks, I talked about how these machines will compete with other non-Windows (that is, Linux) netbook options.
在过去关于Google chromebooks的文章中，我讨论过这些机器如何与其他非windows（例如，linxu）系统的上网本抗争。
But one area I did not touch on was the tablet computer market. In this market, Apple dominates. Others are left scrambling to gain a piece of whatever scraps happen to be left.
但是平板电脑市场的领域我一直没有涉及。在这个市场中，Apple处于支配地位，剩下的其他厂家努力去得到一片市场，使得自己不被淘汰。
Unlike the desktop space, where Linux competes primarily with Windows, any Linux distribution in the tablet market faces existing options that already have iOS and Android heavily embedded.
不像桌面领域，Linux的主要对手是Windows，在平板市场，任何一个Linux发行版面对的是，一个已经被iOS与Android控制的现存市场。
iOS and Android leave little room for competing alternatives. And with Linux distributions like Ubuntu, I see little chance that they're going to be able to do battle with the existing tablet OS selections -- they're so late to the game as it is.
iOS和Android为竞争者留下了很少的空间。即使是像ubuntu这样的Linux发行版，如果打算和现存的平板机操作系统竞争，我能看到仅仅是很少的机会--他们参加这场游戏实在太晚了。
Don't take my word for it, go ahead and look at your favorite search engine's news feature. From there, you'll discover that Ubuntu is rarely mentioned at all within the tablet space. Where it is mentioned, the response is far from positive.
不相信我说的话，去看看你最喜欢的搜索引擎的新闻板块。从那里，你将发现在平板电脑领域，很少提到ubuntu，即使提到，积极的答复还很遥远。
In this article, I will look at what Ubuntu will need to do to make a quick recovery. Plus how the distro can become more attractive to app developers. It’s possible that Ubuntu could even offer some things not found on existing tablets.
在这篇文章中，我会看看为了一个快速的恢复，ubuntu需要做些什么。该怎样使这样的发行版对于应用程序的作者来说更有吸引力。很可能，ubuntu会提供一些在现存的平板中还没有找到的新元素。
Give me a reason to care
给我一个关注的理由
I enjoy using Linux on my desktop PC. I also find ample enjoyment in using select Linux distributions on my netbook and notebook, as well.
我喜欢在我的桌面电脑上使用Linux操作系统。我也用不同的Linux发行版在上网本和笔记本上找到了足够的乐趣。
Unfortunately when I reach for a tablet, I doubt it will be running Ubuntu or any other community-sourced distro. Most likely I will stay with Android or iOS.
不幸的是，当我接触到平板电脑时，我怀疑在平板上面是否能够运行ubuntu或者其他的社区发型版。最有可能的是，我会在Android或者iOS中工作。
The reasons to stay with the existing two tablet operating systems range from maturity on the device down to available applications. Once our heads are wrapped around this concept, it's easy to see that Ubuntu and other Linux distributions like it will have an uphill battle against competitors already entrenched in the marketplace.
选择呆在现存的两种平板电脑的操作系统之中，是因为它们成熟的硬件设备以及大量可用的应用程序。一旦我们的头脑被这种概念缠绕，那会很容易看到，与已经在市场中建立坚固堡垒的竞争者一争高低，Ubuntu和其他Linux发行版将会面临一场艰苦的战斗。
For distributions like Ubuntu to even begin to matter within the tablet space, we'll need to have a clear reason for the end-user to care. Our reason to care on the desktop stems from the control Linux offers us over the alternative operating systems available. Also, the freedom in the licensing provided.
像ubuntu这样的发行版和平板领域有了联系，对于我们终端用户来说，要有一个适当的关注理由。Linux管理给了我们一个关注这一桌面分支的理由，可选择的操作系统。当然，自由是被许可的。
This works because most of us are installing the Linux distribution ourselves. Most people don't buy it preinstalled. This translates into the end-user selecting the hardware they use.
这些能够起作用，是因为对于我们中的大多数都是自己安装Linux发行版。大多数人不去购买预装Linux系统的电脑。这导致终端用户选择他们自己使用的硬件。
Unfortunately on a tablet, finding companies that will become excited about the prospect of hosting Ubuntu on their hardware is going to be a tough sell. Why? Lack of a compelling app store.
不幸的是在平板电脑市场上，经销商们发现很难向那些潜在的购买用户销售预装ubuntu操作系统的设备。为什么？缺少一个有吸引力的应用程序市场。
Ubuntu has an app store
Ubuntu拥有应用软件市场
By now, many of you realize that Ubuntu does offer something known as the Ubuntu software center. It's a neat idea, but the cold truth is this is just a "pretty wrapper" to install software offered in Ubuntu-offered repositories -- most of which Ubuntu has zero control over. Yes, they host the repositories. However, they're not directly in control of the software being provided there.
截至到现在，你们中的大多少了解到ubuntu已经提供了一些类似于ubuntu软件中心的应用。这是一个好主意，但是冷酷是事实是，这只是一个“漂亮的包装”，安装那些ubuntu仓库中的软件--大多少软件ubuntu进行了0控制。是的，ubuntu提供了软件仓库，但是他们并没有对其中的软件进行挑选。
Then there is the issue of what motivates many non-Linux app developers in the first place – money. How does the Ubuntu team organically grow app store participation that not only works within the confines of open source principles, but does so in such a way to entice new blood to begin developing for this platform?
那么是什么一开始就激励着非Linux应用开发者呐--金钱的收益.Ubuntu团队该怎样有机的增加应用的参与度,而不仅仅被限制在开源软件的原则之中,但是这样做,真的能为增加为这个平台开发软件的新鲜血液吗?
Honestly, I don't see a way it could happen. Fantastic new Linux-ready software is being designed all the time, but I've seen little evidence that it's created with the tablet in mind. The only thing that appears to be ready for the tablet in any way is the Unity desktop.
事实上,我不认为事情会这样发生.新的,出色的Linux软件随时都在被开发出来,但是在我的记忆中,很少有为平板设备开发的软件.唯一的为平板做的准备就是Unity桌面.
Unity desktop just the beginning
Unity桌面只是个开始
Back in January, there was an article about tablet computing and Ubuntu with Unity. Oddly I have yet to see anything interesting about Ubuntu and tablets since then.
回首一月,有一篇文章是关于平板电脑以及拥有Unity桌面的ubuntu.奇怪的是,在那之前我没有看到任何有关Ubuntu和平板的有趣的事
At the time of that article, Unity was a primary focus along with Ubuntu running on a tablet as a proof of concept. Basically it's a fancy way of stating that Ubuntu can run on tablets.
在那篇文章出现的时候,Unity只是一个Ubuntu可以运行在平板上的概念.基本上这是一个Ubuntu可以运行在平板上的奇特证明.
Unfortunately, Unity only solves part of the problem with Ubuntu and tablet compatibility. As stated above, the apps have to be more plentiful for the tablet user along with a clear reason to want to use Ubuntu over Android or iOS.
不幸地是,Unity只是解决了Ubuntu和平板兼容性的一部分.如上所述,大量的为平板开发的应用软件才是人们选择ubuntu而不是Android和iOS的明确的理由.
Since the release of Ubuntu 11.04 and the news of Ubuntu 11.10 no longer offering Synaptic out of the box, it seems clear to me that Ubuntu developers are making a run for the new user. I guess it's accepted that advanced users can either spend their time "fixing" what the developers deemed improvements or just leave the Ubuntu community altogether. Your guess about what the Ubuntu developers intended is as good as mine.
自从ubuntu11.04发布,以及在ubuntu11.10中不再提供新立得,ubuntu的开发者正在使ubuntu为新的用户做准备，这对我来说是很清楚的。我猜高级用户要么会花时间“适应”开发者做的改进，要么就完全的离开ubuntu社区。你对ubuntu开发者所作所为的目的的猜测和我一样。
The biggest problem I see is that Ubuntu appears to be addressing the tablet/desktop market with the same application set. This isn't going to work. While Unity may very well mature into something that is worthwhile for both tablets and desktop computers, the applications remain slanted towards the desktop space.
我所看到的ubuntu的最大问题是，ubuntu打算用同样的软件库去适应平板/桌面市场。这不会奏效的。当Unity变得对于平板和桌面来说同样成熟的时候，应用程序依旧会偏向于桌面系统。
Tablet-ready applications are a must
为平板而设计的应用软件是必须的。
For any tablet operating system to matter at all, you must have the following things working for you: a decent user interface, a means of obtaining new applications and keeping them updated, and of course, you must have compelling tablet-ready applications in the first place.
对于任何平板操作系统来说要紧的是，你必须准备好下面的事：一个令人满意的交互界面，一种获得新应用并保持其不断更新的手段，还有，你首先要有吸引人的为平板设计的软件。
Ubuntu has the first two things to some extent, but is lacking on the latter. Yes, they have some great desktop apps. There is no question about that. However, I have yet to see any clear sign that Ubuntu has tablet-ready apps that are going to make me drop iOS or Android.
ubuntu在一定程度上涉及到了这两个方面，但是其后者相当缺乏。是的，毫无疑问他们有很多非常棒的桌面软件。但是，ubuntu还没能让我看到能让我放弃Android和iOs的为平板设计的软件。
Remember, I'm a long-time Linux enthusiast. So seeing Ubuntu or another Linux distro competing with the existing options wouldn't hurt my feelings at all. As a matter of fact, it would make my day.
还记得，我是Linux长时间的爱好者。所以能看到ubuntu或者其他的Linux发行版能与现存的平板系统竞争，不但没有丝毫的伤害我的感情，事实上，让我非常的开心。
So, what have I found in the way of ready to use tablet software for Ubuntu?
所以，我什么时候能发现为ubuntu而设计的平板软件？
Florence, a virtual keyboard and Easystroke, designed for gesture-recognition on a tablet computer. Sadly, after that I came up empty.
为平板电脑手势识别而设计的虚拟键盘和鼠标手势。遗憾的是，这只是我的空想。
I looked at a variety of possible leads, but everything else that made use of the tablet was in reference to the Wacom tablet for creative art and other similar concepts. So the grand total of tablet-specific applications comes down to a couple of applications. That's it. Anything else, is strictly for desktop software or games.
我找到了许多可能的因素，但是一切应用平板的原因是关于利用Wacom手写板去创造艺术或其他相似的概念，而这些需要大量的专门设计的应用程序。其他的，严格来说就是桌面软件或者游戏。
It's almost like Ubuntu would do better to just give up and stick with the netbook instead of the tablet! Then again, perhaps this isn't such a great idea despite the lack of being tablet-ready.
很显然，ubuntu放弃平板而专注于上网本将使其做的更好。但是，尽管由于平板软件的稀少，这仍不是一个好的主意。
The future isn't in netbooks
未来不在上网本当中。
For those who resist change such as myself, sticking with a small netbook like my ASUS Eee is just fine. Unfortunately, though, it seems that the rest of the world is embracing tablets, in contrast to my affinity for a proper keyboard and touchpad.
对于那些不屈从于改变的像我一样的人，使用像我的华硕EeePC一样的上网本会是不错的事。但是，不幸的是与我对实体键盘和触摸板的亲近相反，世界正在拥抱平板设备。
Even though the tablet is gaining on the netbook at nearly every juncture, I cannot help but feel that this is where Ubuntu could do its best work. Ubuntu might do well to stick to the PC desktop, notebooks and netbooks. They should definitely embrace the server space, as well.
尽管平板设备最近开始在上网本市场上获利，我仍不得不觉得这回事ubuntu发挥其优势的地方，ubuntu能在PC桌面，笔记本和上网本领域做的更好。他们也一定要进军服务器市场。
But, please use some commonsense and realize that Ubuntu is so late to the tablet market that they make Microsoft look like trend-setters. (Yes, I said that last statement with great sarcasm. Microsoft is almost as late to the tablet space as Ubuntu is.)
但是，稍微有些常识的话，就可以意识到ubuntu进军平板市场实在太迟了，以至于微软已经成为这个领域的领导者。（是的。上面的话是讽刺的说法，微软进军平板领域也很晚。）
Love them or hate them, Ubuntu has had success in the desktop and server space. But unless the Ubuntu developers can come up with a magic trick that I haven't figured out yet, any play for the tablet market this late into the game is simply going to slow down future development efforts, I think.
爱或者恨，ubuntu已经在桌面领域和服务器领域取得了成功。但是除非ubuntu的开发者能用我所没有想到的魔法赶上平板的发展。
Now, I would love to see some random Linux distribution not tainted by Google make a name for itself in the world of tablet computing. And goodness knows there are a number of non-Ubuntu options out there competing for eyeballs.
现在，我很高兴看到那些在平板电脑世界没有被Google沾染的Linux发行版。天知道有多少非ubuntu的Linux发行版在与之竞争。
But it's Ubuntu that bears the brand that most people know outside of elite circles. Yet it's also Ubuntu that is wasting a lot of time and energy that would be better spent focusing on their desktop users instead. There's still plenty of work to be done on that front, why should a distribution spread itself so thin?
但是ubuntu是有着被大多少的人知道的经营圈的一分子。当然ubuntu浪费了太多的时间和精力，而这些本该是ubuntu话费在桌面用户上的。未来还有许多的工作要去做，为什么一个发行版不可以扩大它的影响呐？
Perhaps the answer is less about ignoring tablet computers and more about how we approach the demand itself?
或许答案是无视掉平板电脑而是我们需要什么。
Just install over it
安装它吧。
My strategy for getting Ubuntu or other distributions on Android powered tablets is a straight forward one. Take the Wubi-like approach. Make it brain-dead simple to get Ubuntu installed over the Android installation, assuming a method for doing so can be developed easily enough.
我的关于让ubuntu或者其他Linux发行版进入安卓平板的策略会很直接。采用类似于wubi的方法。让安装ubuntu到安卓平板变成一件非常简单的事，这或许是Linux进军平板领域的最够简单的方法。
The advantages of this approach are huge. First, no more worrying about hardware partners. Just pick a non-iOS tablet and install the distribution. Second, users will be more invested in the Ubuntu installation since they had to do it themselves. Any long time Linux user can surely relate to the vested interest you have in making your system run your way!
这个方法的好处是很明显的。首先，没有了硬件不兼容的担忧。只要知道一个非iOS的平板然后安装发行版。第二，当用户能够自己安装它时，会对ubuntu产生更多的兴趣。很长时间Linux用户的乐趣就是让Linux能够成功的运行。
And finally, the option of trying another distribution other than Ubuntu later, becomes easy enough as this Wubi-like approach already blazed a path. Much as Ubuntu has become a gateway distro for many new users, I see the possibilities of it doing the same for tablet users, as well.
最后，用类似wubi的方式去安装其他的Linux的发行版也是这些发行版的出路。对于许多新用户来说大多数像ubuntu的发行版都已经成为很好的系统，对于平板用户来说，我也看出了这样可能性。
Are any of these options ideal? Probably not. However, I don't see Ubuntu's current strategy making a lot of sense either. At least my suggestions give Ubuntu developers room to breathe, while allowing Android users an opportunity to try out the idea without investing in a non-Android tablet.
还有没有类似的选择？或许没有。然而，我没有看到ubuntu现在的策略有什么新意。至少我的建议给了ubuntu开发者呼吸的空间，当安卓用户产生了使用非安卓平板的想法的时候。
If nothing else, a Wubi-like option is a place from which to grow from. And quite frankly, it's the only chance Ubuntu has against Google's Android OS
如果没有别的原因，一个wubi-like的安装选项，将是ubuntu市场占有的开始。直率地说，这将是ubuntu战胜Google的Android操作系统的唯一机会。
