Bug Hunter wrote:
>
> Hmm. On a philosophical front, I disagree that is not sun's
> problem. I think it is.
Bullshit. Sun has included pretty specific instructions for
installation of the software. You want to install it? ./setup. Want
to install it for a network? ./setup /net. Want to install from the
network for your personal copy? /opt/Office51/bin/setup. How much
easier can this get?!
> If Linux is to achieve "world domination," then it and its applications
> must take care of the blind, ignorant, (and sometimes idiot) user.
Who really cares if it achieves "world domination" if this is the kind
of pablum-puking crap we have to deal with. Linux HAS sharp edges.
Linux HAS blind alleys. Linux HAS thirteen ways to screw yourself
before you even realize you've been screwed. Get used to it.
> DOS and Wind*ws and Mac applications and OS tends to hold peoples hands,
> making it more difficult (not impossible) to screw up an installation to
> the point a single user can't use it. Mind you I'm not talking about
> security.
You must not be talking about a user that installs applications into
those environments either. Seriously, Windows won't let a user screw it
up? Ha ha. And that sentiment goes for security issues as well.
> I've been an idiot in the past. I've been ignorant more often. I've
> struggled with Linux and its applications. I've usually won.
And don't you feel better for it? Want to deny that sort of joy from
future Linux users?
> However, only 5 to 10 percent of the world can handle a computer with
> any reasonable certainty of success. The other 90 to 95 percent need an
> appliance, but think they want a computer. To get linux into their hands,
> it needs to be more like an appliance. And that includes application
> installs.
No, it just means that the personal computer is the wrong solution.
Take WebTV, as an example. Need to send email and do occasional web
surfing? Why bother with the maintenance and cost of a PC when you can
have a bulletproof box for $200 and never have to worry about it.
Keep in mind, however, that appliances like WebTV don't exclude Linux.
They simply hide the complexity for the given task.
> As much as I hate to admit it, Corel might be on the right path. They
> don't have it right yet, but they are heading the right direction.
For a specific market, yes. Whether it's a significant market will
remain to be seen.
--
Steve Philp
Network Administrator
Advance Packaging Corporation
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
