Skip to main content
Inspiring
December 2, 2010
Not Prioritized

P: Provide support for Linux

  • December 2, 2010
  • 325 replies
  • 12759 views

Lightroom for Linux - is it possible? Most my friends and I need it, because of not using Windows and current Linux tools can't get so great instruments for raw preprocessing and organizing...

325 replies

Inspiring
December 7, 2011
Of course you're right, the bottom line is "will a Linux version bring us additional money?" and almost equally of course the answer is no. Lots of photographers are already using Window and Mac, Linux users are still the minority. And furthermore, *if* a linux version became available, I think that most people, myself included, would not buy two licences but rather replace their windows version with a Linux version. Thus it would not bring any extra income to Adobe. It would simple by a poor business model.

Nevertheless, still I can't stop dreaming about a Linux version 🙂
Inspiring
December 7, 2011
I own a license for Bibble5, not because I especially liked it but because it runs native on Linux. And it is the more expensive Pro license because it will also run on OS/X if I win the lottery and decide to buy an Apple laptop. And because it supports colour management. Which is emerging - at least in Gnome.

As things stand today, I would buy an LR license for Linux.
Participant
December 6, 2011
Ah, I see the point. And I do agree that it's quite the chicken and egg problem. I feel like this is where the open source model has a particular edge (not that I'm suggesting Lr be made an OSS project): if someone wants to see something happen, they have the ability to make it happen themselves and others can join in as they see fit. Nevertheless, hopefully this thread (and additional supportive posts to it!) will help convince the business-minded at Adobe...
Inspiring
December 6, 2011
I for one would also like to see this. A lot of people are moving from Microsoft OS products simply because they are fed up with all of the bloat. Transitioning to Ubuntu for example has been a very positive experience. In the mean time Ubuntu can do everything I need an OS to do EXCEPT for handle my RAW library. Please add support for linux. (at least debian based systems)
Participating Frequently
December 6, 2011
I think what Lee Jay is referring to is that there's no additional money changing hands if people are already buying the Windows version and that dampens the business case for a port.

It's been a really frustrating thing for Linux Desktop adoption. If you don't buy the software you're not a customer and it's hard to convince the vendor to act on your wishes. If you do buy it for the alternate platform, they already have your money. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. :o(

Now, I subscribe to the philosophy that customer goodwill is a tremendously valuable thing even if it doesn't show up on the balance sheet, but purely business minded folks tend not to see it that way.
Participant
December 6, 2011
Sure, many of us already have a Lightroom for Windows or Mac because that's our only option at this point. As you can see from the above comments, there are a fair number of us who would be very excited to see the remaining barrier preventing us from getting rid of Windows removed.

Paying for a Linux version of Lr rather than a license for Windows just so I can run Lr (i.e. two licenses) makes a whole lot of sense. I think for those of us who keep Windows around just for Lr would gladly switch to paying for just one product.
Participating Frequently
December 6, 2011
Minimally, it is supportive of the tack I suggested above: the first phase would probably be to get Lightroom to behave decently in Wine.
Inspiring
December 6, 2011
Something interesting to note in this thread. More than half of those that want a Linux version already own a Windows version. With Linux adoption at something on the order of 1%, and so many Linux users buying a Windows version anyway, I think what Dan said above might well be true. Namely, "The testing and development cost of a full port would be high enough that it'd be hard to make a business case for it." If that is indeed the case, that's why there isn't a Linux version already - Adobe is a business.
Inspiring
December 6, 2011
One more vote to lightroom for linux. As others, I keep a windows partition for the sole purpose of handling my pictures in lightroom, everything else I want to do, I can do in linux.

If available, I'd pay for it
Inspiring
December 5, 2011
For me, Linux support would allow me to get rid of my Windows licence and buy an Adobe licence instead!

So, please port your products to Linux!