my opinion:
If by home use you are referring to the kind and quality of
applications most consumers look for in a home p.c. then Linux
definitely has those.
I use Linux at home. I am a Linux newbie and do not have extensive
computing background. I know how to use my mouse's right button but
can't tell a parallel port from a serial. iow I have more computing
knowledge than most but not quite enough for Linux. I make up for
my lack of knowledge with the willingness to learn.
Frankly, I think most home users don't have the computer knowledge
nor time and inclination to learn Linux. The learning curve is just
too steep. I am thinking of the many people I know who use
computers but could not care less about what is under the hood.
Now, this is not so much that Linux isn't ready -- it is ready with
the applications and the installation. Caldera 2.2 and Red Hat 6.0
and mandrake make the installation relatively easy. And various
projects are underway to make ready-to-wear machines which run on
Linux but operating them is a no-brainer. Corel and others are
getting systems like that ready to ship.
But the fact is running Linux requires becoming a system
administrator rather than just an application user. Most people
don't want to be system administrators. For them, Bill Gates is
more than happy to fill that role and control what happens on and
under their desk-top.
CA$.02
--
Keith
On 16 Aug 99, at 23:52, Richard Salts wrote:
> Someone said to me that, in his opinion, Linux was not yet ready for home
> consumer use. It is intended, he believes, more for corporate use and for
> those who have extensive computer experience than for home use because of
> the steep learning curve that peoople like myself are encountering when
> trying to use it.
>
> What does the membership of this list think of this viewpoint? Are there
> any list members besides myself who are endeavoring to use this op system
> at home?
>
> I am interested in what the list subscribers think of this statement. Do
> you think Linux, like Red Hat 6.0 is more of a system to be more used at
> the office or can consumers get in on using Linux, too?
>
>
> Richard
