Gustin Johnson wrote:
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> Kin C Wong wrote:
>   
>> Programming a vcr is simple as well but how many people do you know that 
>> have time display flashing time (I know I'd dating my self here).  To 
>> have more people adopt Linux it has to be as easy to install as Windoze 
>> and it still has a ways to go.
>>
>>     
> I have to disagree.  In most cases (especially on older hardware) most
> modern Linux distros are easier to install.  Things can get interesting
> on the bleeding edge or when dealing with exotic hardware, but that is
> no different than the Windows world. Of course my experience is with XP
> and it's predecessors.
>
> Given the number of format/reinstalls that I do for clients, I would say
> that most people are not all that comfortable installing Windows either.
>  Even installing windows programs is not always straight forward.
> Synaptic/aptitude/adept are easy to use programs that install software,
> which are at the very least on par with Windows based installers.
>
> The hardest part is how one thinks about software on their computer.
> Packages are more like modules for us, we add and remove them at will,
> depending on our needs.  For example, my laptop has been a server, a
> digital audio workstation, a graphics workstation, a node in a cluster,
> a media center, a content filtering multi-homed router, etc.  The laptop
> was configured on the fly with no reinstall of the OS required.  This is
> simply not possible in the Windows world, but it does require thinking
> about your computer differently, which no easy to use software package
> can fix.
>   
An interesting point of view that I can readily respect except for the 
last paragraph -- I know of no other user that can competently do these 
things and still refer to themselves as average. :-D
> Also, we should be wary of following Microsoft, the Linspire admin
> privileged by default is an example of how Linux, no matter how well
> intentioned, should *not* be configured.  Just because Windows is
> "popular", does not mean we should emulate their mistakes.  I am a big
> fan of the "Linux is not Windows" mantra.  If someone wants a free
> Windows experience, look at ReactOS.
>   
I'm not advocating that we follow Microsoft and I really like your 
mantra that "Linux is not Windows".  Pretend that you are a professional 
(not IT professional) that is an average user - I want to be able to do 
my job, the computer and software are mere tools.- I don't want to know 
how to install an application.  I know a writer that has told me more 
than once, forget the technology and just give me a piece of paper and a 
pencil.
> This is merely my opinion, but I am not sure that the focus of the free
> software community should be greater market share, at least not here in
> North America.  While I do believe in FLOSS, I do no believe in the
> prevalent culture here to recognize the value and importance of freedom,
> be it in software or in the corporeal world.  The focus for people like
> Aaron should be in producing quality software, not wasting their
> considerable talents selling to people who have no interest.  It is
> telling that there is next to no FLOSS representation in the Calgary IT
> Pro Users group.
>   
I have to disagree with you here - in an ideal world, you should not 
have to deal with market share or the user.  If I make it difficult for 
someone to try something new, then I have denied both the user of an 
unique and wonderful experience and myself a level of success,  
recognition and the rewards of sharing an accomplishment.  On the plus 
side for Linux, the ability to produce Live CD and ritualized 
applications enables a user the experience both the value and freedom to 
maybe endure the agony of change and trying something new.
> Anyway, Linux on the desktop will not get any significant market share
> gains here until Microsoft "fixes" their anti-piracy measures and
> tightens up their OEM licencing (they have further restricted their
> licencing for Vista, it remains to be seen how their anti-piracy methods
> stack up this time).  If Microsoft delivered as promised with Vista
> (especially the DRM and piracy side) then Vista is best thing that could
> happen to Linux.
>   
Can't argue with you here -- regardless whether they get it right or 
botch it up really badly, the net effect will be the same.  The status 
quo will permeate if they act like they always have.
>   
>> Anyways, I see it as anything that fuels the momentum will keep us 
>> pointy ears gainfully employed ;-) .
>>
>>     
>
> As long as the 12 o clock flashers exist, the pointy ears (or propeller
> hats) will be employed.
>   
I have always been partial to the ears, the propeller hats just is not a 
fashion statement.
>   
>> Mitchell Brown wrote:
>>     
>>> Really.... hmm. I can see this turning really bad, really quickly.
>>>
>>> How is .deb not easy? In Ubuntu, you just double click and voila.
>>> Simple as pie.
>>>
>>> On 2/8/07, * Kin C Wong* <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
>>> <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     They are trying to swap core competencies -- this should be
>>>     interesting,
>>>     the popularity of Ubuntu and the easy of use of CNR (click and
>>>     run) from
>>>     Linspire.  Here is an excerpt from the letter:
>>>     "There are two main components to this partnership: 1) Linspire will
>>>     immediately transition from Debian to Ubuntu as the base for their
>>>     Linspire and Freespire operating systems, and 2) Canonical will
>>>     utilize
>>>     Linspire's CNR technology for aspects of Ubuntu's software
>>>     delivery system"
>>>
>>>     Here is the link ://www.linspire.com/linspire_letter.php
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Mitchell Brown
>>> Administrator
>>> untitled1.ca <http://untitled1.ca>
>>>
>>> V:   403.466.6242
>>> E:   [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>> W:   http://www.untitled1.ca
>>> SIP: **010666242
>>> MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>>
>>> pub 1024D/9091C422 02/05/2006 Mitchell Brown < [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
>>> <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
>>>     Primary key fingerprint:  812B 94BC EA0D 345A CC1C 2ED9 F7F6 5CCF 
>>> 9091 C422
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