[NTLUG:Discuss] Open Source

[Leroy Tennison]

Chris Cox wrote:
> 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.
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
You make an interesting point about forced conversion.  I'm wondering if 
that may not be the avenue to more Linux adoption, here's what I mean: A 
larger organization gets tired of paying for software, someone comes up 
with a way to use Linux in the corporate environment instead.  It saves 
money so management likes it.  Ask what the employees think?  Hardly, 
just do it, so what if they kick and scream - it's the company's 
strategic direction!  Do I expect this to happen with office automation 
first?  No.  But what about the call center and other fairly highly 
restricted environments?  I think it's more likely there.  If only we 
had a good Linux LAN...

Is this the right way to do it?  No, was corporate politics ever the 
right way to do things?  I'll leave that for you to answer...