You are dead on correct. The situation is precisely as you describe even
though enthousiasts insis on deluding themselves..
Jeff Malka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Registered Linux user 183185
----- Original Message -----
From: David Grubb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: [newbie] Linux v Windows
I'd just like to add my $0.02 here, at the risk of heading OT and being
inundated with flames.
I whole-heartedly agree Linux is a far-better, quality system than certain
other OSs, and I have enjoyed many months of learning and working with it,
and I look forward to many more years of learning. But (there always has to
be a 'but', doesn't there :) - I'm a computer enthusiast - I work with
computers: fixing problems, deploying systems, supporting users etc. I go
home and I play with my computer - the case is never bolted on coz I'm
forever pulling out cards and trying different hardware. I have stacks of
CDs spread across the room coz I'm forever trying new OSs, apps and games -
and when something breaks I enjoy fixing it.
Trouble is, not everyone out there is an enthusiast like those on this
mailing list - I've seen this analogy elsewhere many times, but I think it
is worth repeating: Most people buy a car simply so they can drive around -
they don't care what is under the hood. A lot add ornaments or extra bits
because thats what they like. Very few actually care what is under the hood,
let alone have any idea how to tinker with it.
Most computer users (note: users, not enthusiests) just want the computer to
work - it needs to be easy for them to stick their ornaments or extra bits
in - but they're not interested in "tricky" things like dependancies,
command lines etc (personnally I would prefer if everyone in the office were
forced to use a command line once in a while...)
At present, Linux is still relatively complex to set up and use, however it
is progressing at a rapid pace.
But until it reaches the point that your average Joe Bloggs (sorry Joe, just
picking a name out of the air :) who works in the bakery down the street,
can go home, turn on his Linux box that he picked up from his local
electrical store, stick in a new game and be up and running in 5 minutes -
it just isn't going to be popular to the mainstream public.
My apologies for the rant peoples, just been seeing red over this sort of
thing for a while.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
David Grubb - Internet / Intranet Developer
[EMAIL PROTECTED] +61 2 9895-7913
Department of Land & Water Conservation
Sydney, Australia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 12/04 2:53 pm >>>
it _has_ an "install-shield". It just doesn't happen to look like the one
thats in windows. Nor should it. there are some things, I would agree,
that need to change, but one of them isn't becoming windows, or even
Windows-like. Since I became a Linux user two years ago I've watched first
RedHat progress forward with their presentation and the installation
methods employed by their developers and now Mandrake for the past 9
months. I'd say that they've come a long way in a short time. I for one am
glad that they spend more time on making sure that the product that
they're releasing to the public is coded and working correctly rather than
making sure its a hands-off breeze to install and get working.
Reading is fundamental. that used to be a famous little slogan that
everyone was familiar with on Saturday mornings while watching cartoons
and in the Linux world it is still very true. Linux may not jump out-a the
box and onto your harddrive ready for you to cruise the internet with
"no" effort, but then again it doesn't need rebooted 2-3 times a day and
doesn't cost between $300 and $700 per copy per machine either.
Lets remember that what you've got on your computer is one of the most
stable operating systems that many of us have ever seen and most of us
haven't paid a penny for, but "many" have spent Loooooooooooooooong hours
coding, debugging, checking and rechecking...I could go on and on, but I
need to get down off this soap box before I get a nose bleed.
I think these few reasons are more than enough to bring Linux to a place
of world domination. All that is needed is that intelligent folks first
need to stop fearing what they aren't able to readily understand in a few
seconds, and be willing to put in a little time and effort to get
completley configured. What you end up with in the end is a machine that
is as solid as a rock provided the user did a little planning ahead of
time and made sure all their "hardware" ducks are in a row thereby
avoiding any unpleasant surprises.
--
Mark
/ * Sometimes it becomes necessary to rock the boat
* in order to get the rats up from below decks
* so they can be kicked over the side and drowned!
*
* REGISTERED LINUX USER # 182496
*/
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<*REPLY SEPERATOR*>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On Sat, 2 Dec 2000 onepatrick had this to say!
> Mr Monster wrote:
> >
> > Right, Ive been reading the mails about the pros and cons of
> > Linux/Windows...
> >
> > Im running Mandrake 7.2 now, with not so much as a hiccup, everything is
> > doing what it should, when it should - just the way i like it, and the
way i
> > suspect most other folks do too.....
> >
> > I have one little problem.. I have a Primax USB scanner, and on visiting
> > their website - have discovered they dont support linux drivers for
their
> > hardware, which is a little dissapointing to say the least...
> > So I went searching, and found another site...probably run by a couple
of
> > guys in their own time, and unpaid, who are writing source and trying
their
> > best to get drivers for Primax scanners under Linux - These guys deserve
a
> > big jug of beer!!!
>
> and if they dont like beer a big glass of juice :)
>
>
>
> >
> > The Point????
>
>
> and now a drum roll
>
> Linux will never win its way into peoples homes until
> > manufacturers decide to start porting their code to linux, so us people
at
> > home can use our digicams, scanners etc... just as easy as ever!
(without
> > even so much as a chmod.... etc)
>
> i would ag4ee. for linux to really take off there must be some sort
> of install shield for it. without it linux will never dominiate the
> world. i cant believe hasnt thought of it before.
>
> :)
>
>
>
> >
> > I dunno if this means anything, or indeed if it makes sense....but dont
all
> > shout at me at once :-)
> > And just in case you are all wondering ... yep I had to use M$ to scan
my
> > pics tonight :(
> >
>
> ok, there are a few areas where linux is still catching up. there are a
> few
> areas in which linux is ahead. scanners unfortunately for u are one of
> the
> behind places
>
>
> > Graham Kerr
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > http://www.btinternet.com/~kerr.monster
> >
> > Reg. User 153258
>
