>
> > The average computer user has no idea which video card he has or
> >how to do anything to his hard drive. He buys a computer complete and runs
> >what is loaded.
> >
> > The average Linux user built his/her own computer from parts,
> >understands both hard drives and video cards and monitors and also buys a
> >quality motherboard with a fast Intel chip.
> >
> Yeah I agree. Compare to 1980s, there's a big difference too. At least right
> now, more people are knowledgeable about computing compare to the olden
> times.
I think that statement should be qualified:
More people are knowledgable "of" computers: that is true.
However, in the past, the average user of a computer had more knowledge
"about" the computer they were using. They had to be.
The current state is sad indeed: Many users of computers have no idea
"about" the computer they use. It's actually COMMON to find people
who have no idea what a directory is, or the difference between
RAM and hard disk space. And these people actually USE and OWN
computers!
In other words, five/ten years ago things may have looked like this:
85%: people who didn't use computers
14%: people who used computers, and actually knew stuff about
computers (ie: knew more than just how to start programs)
1%: people who used computers, but didn't know much about them
Now it looks morelike this:
40%: people who don't use computers
20%: people who use computers, and actually knew stuff about
computers (ie: knew more than just how to start programs)
40%: people who use computers, but didn't know much about them
THESE NUMBER ARE FICTICIOUS, but they illustrate the trend
that seems to be growing. More people using computers, but a smaller
percentage of computer users who know what they are doing.
I suppose this is to be expected in a society where people will save
money for a month, only to spend it on a device that programs their
VCR. Actually spending an hour reading the manuals that came with
the VCR is never a consideration.
This is where MicroSoft shines: They've designed a system that
let's you use a comuter without really knowing ANYTHING about
computers. The problem with such a sustem is that Win 95/98/NT
is designed not with the intent of being
powerful/versitile/efficient/etc., but rather with the intent
of keeping novice users from shooting themselves in the foot.
It's the other users who get screwed.
Take my parents. They own a P-200MMX, running Win95. When they have
a problem, they call me. And it's a damn good thing that they have a
son who knows computers, because M$ tech support would have put them
in the poor house by now!
>
> I agree with you that an average computer user don't know what video card
> they have, they only know to complain when things go wrong or see an error.
> That's why, many people think Linux is not for everyone.
>
I agree, Linux is not for everyone. I have never seen a system that
allowed novice users the simplicity that they need, yet gave the
so-called power-users the abilities they need.
>
> I chose to think differently, if Linux is COMPLETELY or ALMOST customizable,
> we can customize one for those people, at least, we increase the market
> range of Linux and more software will be ported for Linux. Don't you think
> so?
>
Agreed. that is why different distributions exist. From the power-user
distibutions (like debian), to the buisness-targeted distributions
(like Caldera).
Bryan Scaringe
