Hi,
My name is David Noack and I'm a computer correspondent with Investor's
Business Daily, a national business newspaper. I write for a front page
feature called "Computers Made Plain" which tells readers how to use
computers, the Web etc.
I'm doing a story about Linux and its different variants and all the
hype surrounding the OS as a possible challenger to MS and to a lesser
extent, the Mac.
I would like to get some comments about whether Linux is for everybody.
Before they go out and buy any of the distributions, what do they need
to know?
So, here are a few questions for your consideration.
1. How long have you been using Linux and which distribution do you use?
2. Have distributions that have been packaged such as Red Hat and SuSe,
made it easier for the average user to install and run the OS and
applications? Is this an OS, at least in its present form, a general
purpose of OS that you buy, install and within no time your up and
running? Or is LInux being over-hyped, possibly giving users false hopes
of ease of use?
3. Before a new users goes out and buys or downloads one of the
distributions, what do they need to know? Should they take some computer
programming or maybe a Unix course? If you they know DOS and the command
line does it really matter and is that analogy accurate?
4. What would be the greatest advantages and disadvantages to a Mac or
Windows users going over to Linux? How long would it take them to get up
to speed before they could install programs, compile the kernel, etc.
What is the greatest challenge facing new Linux users? Did you
experience any problems in installing, running or figuring out how to
install applications?
5. What kind of learning curve is involved in learning Linux for someone
that has never had any experience in this OS before? If the learning
curve is too steep might that scare away folks? What is the best way to
learn, books, classes a guru?
6, If you get questions for new Linux users, what kinds of questions do
you get the most? Do new users know how to mount their CD-ROM or a
floppy drive. Does a lack of easy to use apps hurt the popularity of
Linux?
7. By making Linux too easy to install and use, is that a case of
"dumbing it down" so everyone can use it? Should Linux be an elite OS
for serious computer users?
Please include your name, state or city where you live, and if you care
too your age.
I look forward to hearing from you.
David Noack
Investor's Business Daily
http://www.investors.com/
