Re: [LINUX.ORG.MT] Windows/Linux, Outing, Mirror etc...

Thu, 27 May 2004 14:00:06 +0200 (CEST) 

Keith Vassallo wrote:


Kevin Attard Compagno wrote:


Linux is **EASY** to use.
Linux is **EASY** to protect (viruses main issue).
Linux is however **DIFFICULT** to configure to particular tastes.
Since when is having a flash player, or having a browser plugin, or having a media player that plays MP3s a "particular taste"? Everyone wants these things. 


Windows is **EASY** to use.
Windows is **A NIGHTMARE** to protect with so many viruses targetet to it. 
Windows is **EASY-ish** to configure.

Agree


I have just installed FC2.
With **NO** tweaking (and that means install, log on for the 1st time, and WORK), I have a working office suite, email client, and html browser, File 
Manager, Image Editor, etc.
Yes, but what if you want to download and install a .tar.gz.. would a home user be able to do it? 


It's additional configuration that becomes problematic for a **USER** -
specific examples: installing java support for a browser, installing Flash support, patching the audio player to handle MP3s (rather that .ogg only), 
etc etc.

It's just a question of the distros finding a way to package the missing
features into the distribution CDs. And most of the difficulties are
probably license related.
I don't agree. What you're saying is that distributions should package every conceivable application a user might want to use with the operating system. Personally, I think that's baloni. Users will definately want to install something that doesn't exist in the distro cds. I mean, try fitting sourceforge on CD! A system such as apt is much better.
Portage is even better. If there isn't a Debian entry for a particular piece of software, you just post a request on bugs.Gentoo.org and an ebuild (build script) is available for you to download to get your particular piece of software installed. The forums community are VERY responsive, and all the info is searchable. Being a developer and always wanting the latest version regarding software makes this a necessity while working. Even stuff like java with its closed license are supported by this model.
============================================================================ 
================================
Cost is not a usability issue so...


________________________________


Kevin Attard Compagno
Malta Linux User Group (http://linux.org.mt)

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
On Behalf Of Keith Vassallo
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 9:24 AM
To: Malta Linux User Group - general list
Subject: [LINUX.ORG.MT] Windows/Linux, Outing, Mirror etc...

Hi,
Firstly one quick shout out to Philip - I'm definately not RMS! If anything, I'd be more of a cross between ESR and RMS but definately not RMS himself!
Secondly. I seem to be the only person on this list who seems to think Linux is hard to use, hmmm.... I would have expected differently and think that with this attitude Linux will never be as easy to use as I hoped it would 
be. Oh well, ce la vie.
Thirdly, Andew now has a booting machine! Our mirror is one step closer to 
completion guys. Here's a summary of what's left to do:

      1) Install an Operating System (Linux, duh)
      2) Setup Rsync, vnc, etc...
      3) Move the machine to the ISP
      4) Let the machine download the stuff
      5) Announce a public link
      6) people download what they want
After this, we'll re-visit the issue of adding disk space, memory, nuclear 
powered nitrous infused liquid hydrogen cooling systems, etc...

Fourthly, we've so far gained quite a response for the outing. We'll
definately discuss it at the next committee meeting and come up with a
time/date/place for the event.
Fifthly, jumping again to the Linux/Windows ease of use thing. Since I'm the 
only one who thinks Linux is difficult to use, I must be doing something
wrong. During the time I spent at Juniour College, the time I'm spending
here at Swatar Training Centre and time time I spend chatting on the net, I've manage to convince at least 15 people to give Linux a try. Of these 15 people, around 11 are doing some sort of IT/Computer Science course, so they know a thing or two about computers. A few weeks after trying it out, 13 have given it up - they said "life's too short to spend a week...." and a variety of comments. The other 2 keep asking me for solutions to problems on a daily basis. Most of these problems I've encountered myself when I was a Lin newbie (and since I encounter so many problems on a daily basis, I think I still am). 

Either I live with a circle of idiots (circle of which tend to get high
grades), or Linux is difficult to use... Ma nafx. Maybe Philip is right
after all. If I wasn't another RMS, why would I keep using Linux and
praising it with everyone I know?

--
Keith Vassallo
Registered GNU/Linux User #290991
http://www.keithvassallo.net
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