> Well...maybe Linux isn't for everyone, but then no OS is for everyone,
IMO.
> Choice is good...
It is, but for an OS to survive it must attract and "keep" a sufficient
audience, Otherwise it might have the same fate as OS/2 which is also an
excellent multiuser stable OS. Do not ask why I am leaving OS/2, because I
am not really, just learning a new OS and noting how it appears to a non
programming guru.
Jeff Malka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Registered Linux user 183185
----- Original Message -----
From: Kathleen Dickason <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2000 11:03 PM
Subject: Re: [newbie] AGH!! Linux not ready for prime time (OS/2 user)
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
