Good points. I was trying to formulate my thoughts, these helped.
I think some of them are inter-related also.
I'd lump those two biggest complaints (both learning-related) together, and
expand the scope a little. As I see it, one of the biggest problems with Linux
is that it is not as easy to use. It requires more understanding, and more
personalization, and those are both its strongest benefits and its worst
liabilities. It takes more learning curve, and not just that it takes more work
to create a useful environment.
That compounds the other big problem: support. I mean problem resolution, one
of Bruce Dawson's biggest complaints was "nobody to help learn" which is a
support issue of another kind. I was trying to figure out how to express my
belief that one of the big negatives is that Linux requires system integration
by the end user, and self-reliance for support by the end user. I think that
stems from the open nature of the system, and thus its flexibility and power
(those are both positives, but they come with a downside!).
Maybe the way to position Linux is really to say "Linux: It's not for
everybody!" and then step aside as the herd stampedes to prove individuality?
:-)
--Bruce McCulley
Bruce Dawson wrote:
> I believe most PHB's would consider the following disadvantagous:
>
> 1. It doesn't run MS Windows software (but it sorta does; and some
> consider not running MS Windows software an advantage).
>
> 2. It was internationally developed (only the NSA and american-centrists are
> concerned about this).
>
> 3. There are a lot of releases in a year.
>
> 4. Support is nebulous and inconsistent. (This just depends on how often and
> how much you pay the support organization).
>
> 5. It is not widely adopted by the corporate culture. There's no easy way of
> telling how widely Linux is deployed.
>
> But the biggest 2 problems, by far, are:
>
> 1. I don't have anyone to help me learn it (or: I don't have time to learn
> a new OS).
>
> 2. It means reloading my OS and learning something new.
>
> Note: The last two are not PHB complaints, but general PC user complaints.
>
> [And if you add "I can't afford the hardware", the above complaints are the
> most frequently issued by Mac users facing a move to Windows.]
>
> Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]:
> > People,
> > I have another chance to advocate Linux.
> > They asked for a "one page list of pros & cons for Linux".
> > The only con I may put in is:
> > "Many managers are still not comfortable with Linux".
> > OK, I should add: "Some applications still not on Linux desktops".
> > What other comments would you all suggest?
>
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