O.K. here's some info. just read a post a couple of days ago in the
news.soundblaster.com /creative.linux newsgroup.
i'm really getting tired of complete newbies buying the linux package and
expecting a "windowz" (duh) type of enviroment (and having users ask..."gee,
how do i do (some eazy task)). lol
I think some of these distrobutions should take alittle curtousy to place
"notes" on the package stating "This s/w package is for users with some
knowledge of computers (or so and so)"
Didn't even realize this until the past week. lol.
On Sat, 08 Apr 2000, you wrote:
> Really?
>
> At the Electronics Boutiques around here the large sign for Mandrake
> 7.0 was at the very front, where they usually advertise the latest
> video games.
>
> At Best Buy they had dozens and dozens of copies of Mandrake 7.0
> (Macmillan) on one of those big aisle-end displays, along with a
> somewhat smallter number of Corell distributions. (The RedHat and
> Caldera distributions were in the usual place on the shelves.)
>
> In fact it's hard for me to go into any computery store (Best Buy,
> CompUSA, even Barnes & Nobles computer area) without tripping over
> Linux distributions. There's multiple shelves of *games* for Linux at
> the local Electronics Boutique.
>
> Of course I'm in the Triangle are of NC, USA, which might be a little
> more Linuxy than most places, but since these are big national chains I
> figured it wasn't all that localized . . .
>
> Also, you can order laptops from Dell, among other places, with Linux
> pre-loaded. I don't know about local stores--I haven't bought a
> computer from a local store since . . . well, since I got my TRS-80
> Color Computer in 1981. I always order 'em.
>
> Heck, I could have orderd a laptop with Linux preloaded in 1997
> (Hyperbook sold 'em, though ironically they don't anymore); I chose to
> get Windows, though; it seemed to make more sense to get the paid
> system preloaded and the free system myself, since they charge the same
> price either way.
>
> My experience is that Mandrake 7.0 supports my LaserJet Series II quite
> well, FWIW. Of course it only has one tray . . . RedHat did *not*
> support it well at all, though!
>
> PS: I know I sound like a broken record on this, but I think that
> Caldera OpenLinux is really good for newbies, too.
>
>
> On Sat, 08 Apr 2000, you wrote:
> | On Sat, 8 Apr 2000, Brian T. Schellenberger wrote:
> |
> | >
> | >
> | > Besides, Mandrake can only make money from CDs and they *do* need to
> | > stay in business. So, yes, make free downloads available; be true to
> | > the spirit of open source. But they ought to optimize for what will
> | > keep them in business, not what will put them out of it!
> |
> | Actually i thought the money was in the support and service contracts, NOT
> | the cd's. A company of a few hundred couldn't possibly live off the sales
> | of a lowcost cd/book set. Especially with cd's being burned for 1.00 at
> | most places.
> |
> | I personally would like to see someone make a KDE distro. KDE 2.0 would be
> | great, especially with ORB, Kparts and an Office Application. The
> | Kdevelop offers ease of programming and well, i could go on.. my point
> | though is build a distro that is easy for the user, straight into a
> | powerfull gui, and work out a sales deal with E-Machines or something.
> |
> | Everyone keeps on saying linux is making it into the desktop market, yet i
> | can't get a PC at the store with it loaded.. hell, its hard to find
> | Mandrake at the store. I know staples has a few copies of the older
> | versions, but its hard to get any recent version at the store.
> |
> | I would also recommend that Mandrake work with Corel and get the libsmb
> | and other additions they have. Corel linux, while a bit buggy, is the
> | *only* version i could possibly recommend to the naive.
> |
> | Until we have unified print services that are easily configurable, even
> | for laser printers, specifying trays, and sending off to NT and especially
> | Laserjet print servers is necessary. I dont see linux getting in.
> |
> | BUT, its not that far off.
> |
> | Keep up the cooking mandrake! looking good.
> |
> | -byron
> --
> "Brian, the man from babbleon-on" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Brian T. Schellenberger http://www.babbleon.org
> Support http://www.eff.org. Support decss defendents.
> Support http://www.programming-freedom.org. Boycott amazon.com.
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