On Tue, 2007-05-22 at 06:32 -0500, Todd Walton wrote: > On 5/21/07, Paul G. Allen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > When was the last time most home users installed *any* OS? Most users > > never see an installation and don't even know what the phrase "Install > > the operating system." means. > > I've never met any computer user who didn't understand me when I said > "install Windows". I agree that "operating system" usually takes some > explaining. > > > Most users can't even use a web browser let alone do an OS install, no > > matter what the installation program looks like. > > > > Many home users can't install an office suite either. > > I have a feeling you're not giving as much credit as is due. Maybe > it's geek elitism, or maybe it's frustration from too many bad > experiences. But fear plays more of a role in non-computer proficient > people's minds than not knowing. When I install something for > someone, half the time I'm just providing them the comfort of having > someone knowledgeable do it. They would know how to do it themselves. >
Notice I said "many". I have had several people either ask me to install an office suite because they couldn't. I've also had several seem utterly confused in conversation about installing such a thing. I know of several that paid the place they bought their computers from to install Office. There have been many users in various places I've worked that could not install Office (and probably 50% of those couldn't install anything else) if their life depended upon it. People (in general) know how to use computers, but not manage them. I use the word "use" lightly because I think if they really knew how to use them, and the applications that are on them, then we would not have such a huge anti-[virus | spam | spyware | adware] and personal firewall industry and Windows would not be the POS security hole it currently is (and has been for years). PGA -- The information contained in this e-mail message is confidential, intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Paul G. Allen Software Engineer BSIT/SE Quake Global, Inc. 858-277-7290 x285 -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
