On Tue, 12 Feb 2002, Derek D. Martin wrote:
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> At some point hitherto, Greg Kettmann hath spake thusly:
> > It has always amazed me just how recalcitrant the Linux community is about
> > making the system easier to use. Note that I didn't say less complex. Just
> > some way to lower the entry bar.
>
> I agree to some degree, and I think it wouldn't be that hard to pull
> off either. I think all that's really needed is some nice GUI for
> installing applications and (this part's key, IMO) automatically
> creating desktop menus/shortcuts for both KDE and Gnome, when it's
> clear that one or both of those are available.
Mandrake has focused on this very thing in recent distro development:
their GUI install routinely wins over reviewers that compare it to the
other distros for "newbie-friendliness", their GUI RPM manager
("rpmdrake") is reasonably easy to get the hang of, especially for
security updates, and their shared menu system is available in every
WM/desktop environment on the box - most all of the Mandrake-specific RPMs
(*mdk.rpm) update this, and you can add to it using "menudrake".
Do any of these enhancements obviate the need for picking up a good Linux
book at some point, and/or keeping a Linux veteran/sensei near at hand at
install time? No. Nor will next year's versions. That's just the way it is.
The analogy to auto mechanics has been made, but how many of us
actually taught ourselves how to drive the car in the first place? And
despite the manufacturer's best efforts at making cars as easy to control
as possible, this won't change soon either. Nor should it.
The problem seems to me to be that while we all see the value in getting
some outside assistance/advice with things like learning how to drive, or
to fill out tax returns, or to perform any other routine task whose
initial complexity and learning curve are well known, many people seem to
approach installing and using Linux for the first time as if their vast,
hard-won experience in the use of (Windows/Macs/Playstations/Garage Door
Openers) has utterly prepared them for all they could encounter. And,
sooner or later, this blind faith is found to be insufficient.
As Ben Scott pointed out in a recent post, *NIX is by design a different
approach to computing as well as an o/s, and those of us who sing its
praises to all who will listen - and in that department, just call me
"Johnny Kernelseed" :) - must not fail to make clear that it will require
some measure of effort at the outset, and to explain what human and
printed resources are available ... and *strongly* encourage their use.
Of those who come to Linux from a commercial GUI o/s, most have installed
and uninstalled many programs, and often a device or three along the way,
in the other o/s; with this they are already comfortable. They fancy the
transition to doing all the same things in Linux as being merely an exotic
little challenge on the order of renting a car in England and driving on
the left for a while. Well, it ain't, that's for sure. Now if you went
over there and rented a Gulfstream, on the other hand ... :)
While distros such as Mandrake are to be lauded for their efforts at
"lowering the bar" for the novice, it is incumbent upon us to explain why
the bar's height is necessary, and to be there to give the needed leg up.
As Bill Sconce pointed out, we need more "Elmers". Newbies can call me if
they want; I'll toss around ideas with anyone, or walk them through an
install or whatever ... but I won't make it sound easy. It isn't. But
it's doable, and it can become easier. It's just more different than they
expected - because it's better. :)
--
Bill Mullen
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Feb 12, 2002
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