Two remarks: On Sat, 11 Jan 2003, shlomo solomon wrote:
[snip ] > I won't go into the details here, but those who have read my > posts over the past couple of months know that I had problems with USB > printer support, iptables, file permissions, etc. And most recently, I > haven't been able to use my FlyVideo2000 card. Although all the problems > (except the FlyVideo2000 card) are solved, it all required too much effort. Just one note: I don't remember what were your other problems, but the iptables problem was caused by the fact that you weren't satisfied with the built-in firewall of the distro, and wanted to use your own (and the ipchains service got in the way). This is not a problem I expect the mythical Joe User to have. > As someone wrote to the list recently (sorry, don't remember who - and this > is not an exact quote): I want the computer to do useful work - tweaking is > only a means to that end and not the purpose of having the computer. > > So how can we expect the non-technical user to even consider LINUX? I consider > myself a technical user - but I've given up on the TV problem, so what does > that say? I know it's **sexy** to talk about self compiled kernels, etc. And, > in fact, on MDK 8.1 (and previously) I did compile my own for various > reasons. But, should I really have to compile a kernel just to watch TV? Maybe. If that what it takes. But in that case rebuilding the kernel should not be difficult. It should involve less magic. I see nothing wrong with aunt tilly being forced to compile a kernel. Heck: don't you find it weird that you have to download a 4MB or 8MB so-called driver that installs a bunch of programs that are totally unnecessary for the function of the real driver? Maybe there could be a half-compiled tree that fits the binary distro and kernel image, and you'll only need to build the kernel module itself? > And, > more importantly, what about my next door neighbour, who doesn't even know > what the word compile means? How does he get to watch TV? Basically, all this > keeps LINUX as an OS for **experts**. If rebuilding a kernel is to become a necessaty for configuration, then it should be wrapped with a simple interface. Debian already has something close to that. > > As I said, I don't intend to start a war - I am a committed LINUX user - but > it really shouldn't be so hard. > > -- Tzafrir Cohen mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.technion.ac.il/~tzafrir ================================================================= To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
