Hello Rick,
I really like your way of seeing things, at least it
make us "think" and it was probably your intention.
I agree with you on the "similarities fight".
<<<
Two years ago, this would have been a compelling
argument.
Back then, when I ran InstallFests in the middle of
Robert Austin computer shows (weekend swap meets), we
were mobbed by people who genuinely had no idea what
we were about.
After the Linux PR breakthroughs of 1998, this no
longer happens. People walking by our tables now no
longer give us puzzled looks, and have a pretty good
idea what we're demonstrating and installing.
>>>
Ok, but the swap meet crowd does not reflect the
average computer user either, (if one exist).
<<<
Key advantages aren't necessarily "technical".
>>>
I agree, too often "techy" people (me included), have
a tendance to show feature that the average person
does not care until the day he/she will need it.
<<<
...risking falling straight into the "better Windows
than Windows" trap. It didn't work for OS/2, and
won't for Linux for the same reasons....
>>>
It is perhaps not immediately related to your point,
but I think it join it.
We tried hard to avoid any flameware against any other
operating system. They probably all have something
good, (pelase, do not flame me...).
<<<
if you limit what you demonstate to the user's
existing "computing habits", then in many cases you
thereby cripple Linux so badly that you would be
better off not showing it at all.
>>>
Hopefully, LDD will allow to go past this point and
show more.
Every LUG should try hard to show the little bit more
that can increase Linux awarness and efficiency.
<<<
For the same reason, I tear out my hair when I see
InstallFests bogging down because people are waiting
for CD-ROMs.
Hello? Has nobody heard of NFS or ftp installations?
Doesn't anyone realise that they're faster and more
efficient?
>>>
Sure, but not every InstallFest has a connection to
the outside world.
You describe a best case scenario, where the LUG has a
choices, (CDs, NFS, ftp).
Immagine doing an InstallFest in a library, you have a
room for about two hours.
Ok, with some minimal training "NFS", could be a
possible choice.
In this library case, it is often just more time
effective to do it from CDs.
If you are well organized, nobody will wait.
It also mean managing not only the hardware/software,
but also the people.
I agree, that some part of the installation are
preconfigured and the user, may not get the point(s).
But he will be able to do it later.
I think, the goal is to have a user up and running
with some default settings.
Later, he will learn more about the indepth of Linux.
Here are some of my points, the goal is to do
something and we are doing it. People like you are
keeping us on the right track.
Thank you for your messages.
Eugene
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