Jeff Malka wrote:
> As someone who does not like to have MS stuff on my PCs but have to because
> of the need of relating to the real business world, I was eager to try
> Linux. It really is great, especially for an open system. But I believe it
> still has a way to go before it can be used by the general computer public.
Well...maybe Linux isn't for everyone, but then no OS is for everyone, IMO.
Choice is good...
> One example is DOSEMU. I am running Mandrake 7.1 which installs dosemu
> automatically, but not in a usable form. Whereas OS/2 runs dos applications
> transparently and even a beginner can use them. However the equivalent in
> Linux is dosemu which - let's get real - needs experience with programming
> to use and is totally useless to a beginner. As installed only a root can
> use it. Apparently to make it useable one must tinker with
> /etc/dosemu.conf and /etc/dosemu.users. Well, a normal PC user could not
> possibly understand or modify these files
But, but...what d'you mean by a "normal" PC user? When I first installed Linux
I assumed I would have a lot of learning to do, it being a whole new
environment, and I was looking forward to learning how to navigate in a
Unix-based system rather than a DOS-based one.
> assuming he can find them in the first place. That is another problem.
> There are numerous configuration files (X, etc.) and they are all located in
> different places instead of in one directory where a non programmer can find
> them.
Unix structures files heirarchically, but this also makes it less easy to mess
up. And you can search for files and always find out where you are if you
forget...
> There are numerous other problems that make using Linux a steep learning
> curve - which it does not need to be. I am certain it will improve and I
> sure hope so, but it cannot improve unless normal PC users like myself point
> out where they see the problems for them.
I don't know if I would agree that all of these are problems, per se...I do
think that a steep learning curve is involved, but I think that's to be
expected. Personally, I love a challenge. ;)
> That is the reason for this message which is not meant to start a flame war
> but to point out where newbies need help, get frustrated and abandon the OS
> despite its obvious advantages. I for one, though fairly sophisticated with
> computers but not a programmer, still cannot figure out how to modify the
> various files so that
Some of the features you don't like are security features, though. Remember
that Linux can be a multiuser system...if you have to be root to do something,
there's probably a good reason. Means you have less of a chance of shooting
yourself in the foot when logged in as an ordinary user. :)
> 1. a non su can start and use dosemu
I haven't used dosemu, but I would imagine that the man page or the info page
would tell you. At a guess, add your login to the users file?
> 2. how to change from the virtual directory dosemu starts in (when in KDE
> knosole) to a real dos logical drive (already mounted) where my applications
> exist.
Dunno. Have you tried Wine or Lin4Win? Just wondering if those might be
closer to what youa re looking for...
--
Kathleen Dickason (not ready for prime time either)
Registered Linux user #182139
