Thomas Haws wrote: > The recent discussion about Troop/Youth advancement tracking and this > question about journal writing software for Windows have startlingly > refreshed my appreciation that the Linux masses and the Windows masses > are truly on different planets. > > I don't think that the Linux masses truly appreciate, or perhaps even > understand, the extent to which Windows users are conditioned to use > the computer without mind focus. Windows users really and truly > expect as a birthright that we should be able to successfully use our > computers to do amazing things even while our brains are half asleep > and we are focused on other things.
You're casting a stereotype that doesn't exist, I'm afraid. I know Linux users who are quite successful yet can't handle many technical problems at all (preinstalled Ubuntu makes this possible), and I know Windows users who have memorized registry keys. This has nothing to do with operating systems and everything to do with software developers understanding their audience. > In my programming activities (in the Windows realm), I have slowly > come to understand and accept that my programs must be usable: > > -After a 3-year hiatus > -On half my brain (in sleep-deprived, disinterested mode) > -With no planning > -On a fleeting whim > > Perl, Apache, and Mediawiki are wonderful. But you have to be honest > in asking yourself, "Could I get this going in Windows if I were > nearly apathetic, nearly focusless, and nearly brain dead?" This is > no disrespect for any user; people are busy and have other interests > and responsibilities. Even the Java Runtime Environment is pushing > the limit, I'm afraid. Did you try the Plone installer? Do you not agree it requires almost as little thought as possible? Only a couple of tweaks are needed. > I'm not sure who needs to change. Is focusless operation an > entitlement for users, or is user focus an entitlement for authors? > But I know the divide is wider than our discussions seem to > acknowledge. Not really. The software has to be usable, including the installation procedure. That's a given. Shane _______________________________________________ Ldsoss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss
