Steve wrote: > JTD wrote: > > >> Further given the very random and one time requirements of desktop >> users, their unwillingness to understand the soup they are in and >> reluctance to change, supporting individual newbie desktops is a >> major pain. >> > Well, I totally agree with the unwillingness to understand compatibility > issues ! My dad or Uncle (who are not just linux but /computer/ newbies) > should not have to worry about the level of linux support a device has when > purchasing it. It should *just work* ....of course this is far from ideal > right now. The next best thing to do, IMHO, was to at least give then one > place where they can go to purchase their hardware. That's what > tuxcompatible.com hopes to achieve (or ever encourage ...blah blah ..) >
Purchasing GNU/Linux compatible hardware is the job of the FOSS service provider and not the end user or customer. That involves identifying compatible hardware and studying user experiences. The difference between Windows and GNU/Linux in the desktop and small office segment is that Windows and its compatible software can be sold as a product where as GNU/Linux has to be marketed as a complete solution. One of the reasons is what JTD and you have mentioned below. It is a change of working environment. The problem gets compounded more with lack of fully packaged and supported FOSS *equivalents* for commercial closed software in fields like accounting, graphics, drafting and 3D. The corporates who can afford their own programmers will benefit the most from FOSS as it is highly customizable. At the lower level, people (users and service providers) simply want the software to work without much jugglery. > >> Hardware compat is a minor issue. File formats and user >> apathy are the main problems. >> > Oh, that's is a different problem altogether. Users apathetic to change > should best not venture to linux until they are ready, else it just screws up > the experience for them. > -- Regards, Rony. GNU/Linux ! No Viruses No Spyware Only Freedom. -- http://mm.glug-bom.org/mailman/listinfo/linuxers
