[NTLUG:Discuss] Killing Off Linux: It's All Academic

[Juliet Blosser]

On Mon, Sep 20, 1999 at 10:38:36PM -0500, Kelly Scroggins wrote:
> The article mentioned Indiana University made a deal to distribute MS
> software to the student population.  In many schools you can obtain
> copies of Ms OS's and other products for as little as $6.00 per CD!

I'm from Indiana, and this is definitely the truth.  Steams me and my
husband to no end.  Last I heard, it was $5 for titles such as Win98,
MS Word 2000, etc.  Note that our tax dollars also go to fund classes
in MS OSes in our public colleges.  No wonder Bill Gates is so rich--
we're all signing his paycheck, whether we want to or not.
> 
> I'm beginning to think it's a loosing battle.  As easy, and as cheap as
> Linux is to obtain, Linux is really only appealing to people who are
> "technically" minded.  The average "Joe Sixpack" can't just plop a CD of
> Linux in his drive and go on about his day.
> 
> He'll have a pretty good learning curve ahead of him.  And 99% of the
> time he'll want to stick with what he's already familiar with, MS.

On the other hand, the average Joe Sixpack can't install Win95 so 
easily either.  I agree with you to some extent, but I think things
like Win9x preinstalled on every PC have more to do with it than ease
of use.

I think there is hope for competition with MS, but you're right,
it may not be Linux for the average user.  The main good thing
Linux is doing for the average schmoe is opening the market up
a little more.  There are other alternative OSes more suited to
such folks, and I think the rise of Linux is going to give them 
a chance to try them out.