[NTLUG:Discuss] Open Source

[Chris Cox]

Greg Edwards wrote:
>> From: discuss-bounces at ntlug.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at ntlug.org] On
>> Behalf Of Chris Cox
> 
>> :)  The biggest problem is that people want something that
>> is so easy that they don't have to think.... AND it needs
>> to do whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it
>> and however they want to do it.
>>
> 
>> Of course, we know that the real answer is that most things
>> can be supported with some config tweaks here or there... but
>> that's where the unwashed get washed away.
>>
> 
>> I'll admit, I do some significant setup work to give her
>> the "perfect" desktop environment and I do a lot of testing
>> before she gets it.  For example, I gave her a new laptop
> 
> Chris,
> 
> Unfortunately you've just made the case for NOT using Linux.  There are
> about 3 million people in the US that use technology professionally.  Of
> that number probably only a quarter of them are knowledgeable enough to
> install Linux on a new computer.  Of that number you might be lucky to
> find 25% who can do what you do.

I actually agree with that.  Why change?  The status quo is always
easier.  Things have to get really bad for a revolution to form.
:)

Most Linux advocates want the revolution now.  But the timing isn't
right.  The best thing is for Linux to do what it does best...
solve the problems that don't seem solvable.  Eventually, the
leakage caused by the covert Linux use will capture some of
the desktop market without the revolution.  However, that will
be just a small percentage.  It's more of a "war" of ideas
anyhow...

> 
> With MS 75% of the users can stick the disk in and get it installed.
> Heck, even my dad can add a new video card without having to know what a
> command line is.  I have told him for years that MS is a poorly
> engineered operating system.  He has said for years that even though he
> has to reboot and it crashes, it's easy and it works for him.

Ever used (gulp) Linspire (not sure what it's like now tell you the
truth... post Ubuntu-ism).  But at least prior to that, everything
was just click and run.  Very easy.  Did (does?) it have some of
the same security gotchas that most Windows platforms have?  Yes,
in many ways.  But you do get that ease of use along with it.

Of course, that's just speaking for package installs.  Obviously
there's more to running/using Linux than that.

> 
> Linux distributions have come a long way in the past 4-5 years.  I use
> Mandriva, and for a workstation install on a clean system it has almost
> reached an MS install simplicity level.  But, as on any Linux box, if
> you need to replace your video card, you better know what you're doing.

Yep.  I agree.  And it's not just the video card.  Sound is still
a major problem as well... and on and on.   These are major shortcomings
in Windows as well, except that the hard work (sometimes VERY hard)
has been done by the device manufacturer (or the OEM).. and made
into something installable.

Also, remember that easy isn't always best.  I mean, one of the problems
with Windows is the fact that the detail is all hidden.  On those
occasions when things go wrong (which happens a lot actually), because
of people's expectations... we are usually content to complain for
awhile and just accept it as a "Windows thing".

One of the things I like about Linux is it fosters education and
learning.  People need to continue to learn.  I like that program
on the Discovery Channel that looks into how things work.  People
need more of that.  We've gotten kind of lazy (and some of us
<cough> a little rotund).

> 
> I love Linux and my entire family loves it.  But they don't have to deal
> with the nuts and bolts, or command line.  Linux will get there someday
> soon, but it's not there yet.

Personally, I'm not sure about the "someday" part.  I mean if someday
is 30 years from now, I'm not sure if even my choice of OS will be
Linux, there may be something more interesting out there by then.

I just doubt that I'll find anything interesting coming out of
Redmond (so surprise me!). :)

A lot of that has to do with the model and philosophy behind
FOSS development.  Which again, is certainly the stuff of
revolutionaries.... even if there isn't enough wide spread
support for an actual revolution.

It's usually better to not force conversion but rather to make
people think and even make the evil dictator reconsider
their ways.  Could be a bigger revolution in the end, A
revolution without the need for war.

So... best reason to use Linux.  Linux makes you think.
It's a good thing... honest.