most that have switched to linux already are the one's that do read manuals / docs / howtos ecetera.
a basic simple install should be designed for the moron level to keep the non reading section from filling lists with useless posts. a few apps, configured so only effort is plugging in user name.
with options to install more when / if they need it ( as currently exists )
the majority of people running ms have no clue as to what is really happening, and are lost with the amount of data available for linux when booting and when an app crashes.
I started with Mdk 6.1 and not connected to the net at all, so had to read and figure out problems myself ( which I prefer to do anyway )
but I watch as people I know flip when they see my "noquiet" text mode boot on both my linux boxes. they can't get over the amount of information being presented and realize how much like morons ms has always treated their users.
and with the nt family of ms os ms has stolen all console from the user.
no booting to "dos" only the gui.
and absolutely no real tools to fix problems short of wiping hd and re-installing.
while a lot of ms users like that, anyone that has to fix computers after the ignorant user has blown it up doesn't like it. ~g~
make an install option for windows like use, but never make windows like changes to tool sets. after all when they blow it up then we can make a bit of money fixing their system and with the tools available with linux that should only be a few minutes unless the user got root access and destroyed everything.
Michael Holt wrote:
I disagree :-)
You're here - I'm here - we all got here somehow. I DON'T want to be presented with a 'wizard' interface everywhere I go. Sometimes it's OK for people to have to learn a few things before jumping in the driver's seat - no? I think mandrake has really made some great strides towards ease of use in the past couple of years - I just tried slackware 8.1 on my laptop last week... that lasted about two days.
I used to build custom computers for people; I would recommend that new users get a book called 'windows 98 for dummies' - I couldn't get ANYONE to read that book - but about once a month or so, they would pay me to come over and reinstall their system because they blew it up. That was WINDOWS 98!!!! I think that time and energy would be better spent writing good howtos and docs so that the people who aren't going to read them anyway can pay those of who will!
Mike
On Thu, 7 Nov 2002, Wim Horst wrote:
Most windows users and future linux users dont read manuals. This is just an example. A lot of programs need a finishing touch. Preferences should not have to be set ( cdburning programs), features complete ( msn messenger programs ). Desktop users want to work with there pc and when it is linux they want it to work as easy as windows.
