There's other problems with Linux, and this article says it all: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2197786,00.asp
I am agnostic about Linux. It does some things well. It's not ready for the desktop because installation of the OS, and then software, is often a massive PITA. With Windows, it just works. That's what the end user wants. A few of them want Macs, but most people shy away from companies as erratic and expensive and often destructive as Apple. I think TWs are in a different bind: interfaces are standardizing. What was once rare knowledge, like using internet apps and protocols, is now standard knowledge. We're going to have to work harder to make ourselves more useful, and not just show up to WTFM at the end of a project. The sensible goal I think is to make ourselves into user interaction experts. We know how to explain stuff to users, so now we work the other end of the process and explain users to those who make the stuff. Yes, it may require more training, but these days if you want to be considered professional as a new worker, you need that graduate degree anyway. I've now said it a few times, so it's probably appropriate to sit back and wait for the next ten years until the truth of this becomes obvious. --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Documentation is not used by the end-user because it is awkward, > poorly organized, and in many cases, indecipherable for a user > seeking task-accomplishment assistance. Linux is a primary example; > despite some of the most dedicated, motivated developers on the > planet, and droves of TWs spending endless amounts of time creating > "tutorials," introductions," and "documentation," (along with a > massive PR pitch by IBM a few years back), Linux languishes. Users > avoid it because it is "too difficult to learn." > > The underlying cause begs exploration, and is at the heart of > technical documentation; does the TW really want the witless user to > understand what the TW finds conceptually difficult? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
