I will never again refer to the Linux Desktop in any of my writings beyond this post. From now on, it's the Linux User Interface, which encompasses the likes of GNOME, KDE, LXDE, XFCE, CLI and others. These Linux User Interfaces may be used on any Linux-enabled device. These interfaces are not limited to a single type of machine designated as a 'desktop' and I'll not diminish the importance of them by mentioning them in that realm again. Since the dream of a world blessed with desktop computers running Linux is a dream (and a far-fetched one at that), I'll leave its reference to the lesser of my literary colleagues to ponder.

Instead, the Linux User Interface (LUI - pronounced Louie), is now a catch-all for any of the aforementioned window managers. And LUI might refer to a desktop computer, a server computer, a wristwatch, a PDA or a netbook running Linux with a particular window manager running on it. The LUI is how you interact with the operating system and not a particular class of computer.

Gone are the days of the hopeful Linux Desktop. Gone are the days of the tumultuous desktop wars. Gone are the dreams of one day waking up and finding that the US Government has converted to Linux desktops. And gone are the days of my attempts at convincing the world that anything but Windows or the Mac OS will ever serve as a desktop user interface for the masses.

As cryptic and elusive as the lyrics of the Kingsmen's song Louie, Louie; The Linux LUI is a mystery unto itself. I can't unravel it and I'm going to stop trying.