The recent discussion about Troop/Youth advancement tracking and this question about journal writing software for Windows have startlingly refreshed my appreciation that the Linux masses and the Windows masses are truly on different planets.
I don't think that the Linux masses truly appreciate, or perhaps even understand, the extent to which Windows users are conditioned to use the computer without mind focus. Windows users really and truly expect as a birthright that we should be able to successfully use our computers to do amazing things even while our brains are half asleep and we are focused on other things. In my programming activities (in the Windows realm), I have slowly come to understand and accept that my programs must be usable: -After a 3-year hiatus -On half my brain (in sleep-deprived, disinterested mode) -With no planning -On a fleeting whim Perl, Apache, and Mediawiki are wonderful. But you have to be honest in asking yourself, "Could I get this going in Windows if I were nearly apathetic, nearly focusless, and nearly brain dead?" This is no disrespect for any user; people are busy and have other interests and responsibilities. Even the Java Runtime Environment is pushing the limit, I'm afraid. I'm not sure who needs to change. Is focusless operation an entitlement for users, or is user focus an entitlement for authors? But I know the divide is wider than our discussions seem to acknowledge. -- Tom Haws 480-201-5476 OpenOffice.org v. MS Office: Kids love OOo. Wife didn't notice I switched. Get OOo free. "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for" Gandhi _______________________________________________ Ldsoss mailing list Ldsoss@lists.ldsoss.org http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss
