I agree mostly with what you are saying, but I would like to point something
out.
Here goes, and remember, these are my opinions and aren't ment to start any
flaming wars... ;)
Since I started using Linux back in 94-95, so very much has happend. In those
days I 'had' to use MicroSoft products to get my basic office work done. (Not
really true, but darn close...) Today I even got my girlfriend to use
WordPerfect on my RedHat box instead of MS Office. Nothing sexistic, could be
any user who up till a year ago only used MSWindows 3.11. And, after a brief
period of disorientation, she even enyoed it...
With that in perspectiv, just think about what will happend in a few years...
As we all know, computer industrie is a moving target and for all that I know I
could reside to MS products by 9.00 Am tomorrow if that suits my needs... As a
matter of fact, for all I know, when I wake up to morrow, there might aswell
not exist anything like Linux or MS...
Not very real-life-related, but thinkin that way gives a perspectiv on life as
we live it... And love it... IMHO thats a part of why we all love to debate
these things...
Have a good one out there...
//Uffe
On Tue, 17 Aug 1999, Jack Barnett wrote:
> Richard Salts wrote:
> >
> > Someone said to me that, in his opinion, Linux was not yet ready for home
> > consumer use. It is intended, he believes, more for corporate use and for
> > those who have extensive computer experience than for home use because of
> > the steep learning curve that peoople like myself are encountering when
> > trying to use it.
> >
> > What does the membership of this list think of this viewpoint? Are there
> > any list members besides myself who are endeavoring to use this op system
> > at home?
> >
> > I am interested in what the list subscribers think of this statement. Do
> > you think Linux, like Red Hat 6.0 is more of a system to be more used at
> > the office or can consumers get in on using Linux, too?
> >
> > Richard
>
>
> It depends on the home user. If all they need to do is use it to check
> email
> and veiw web page, then it can be ready for home users, if they get a
> preinstalled
> machine with everything setup for them.
>
> If they have to go from ftp -> floppy -> install -> configure -> use,
> most
> home user will turn away, but if they go from order -> plugin -> use,
> then
> it would allow the home user to use the system without taking the time
> to
> learn about it, or put any effort what so every into it.
>
> Say for an example a home user buys a Compaq with win98, they basically
> plug
> it in, put the red keyboard plug into the hole on the back that has a
> red
> rim around it, turn it on, put there isp cd in, click install, reboot,
> click the little 'e' and they are "surfing the web" and can tell all
> their buddies they are part of the Information Superhighway.
>
> Now if a user can do basically the same thing with Linux, then yes
> it is ready. I heard they are companies doing this, like Penguin
> Computers, and VA Research, but haven't try any of their complete
> systems.
>
> As far as checking email, view web pages, word processing, the GUI
> envoriment shouldn't have to much of a learning curve, if any.
>
> For example, you could take your run of the mill, windows user,
> set him in front of KDE, GNOME, ICEWM/DFM, with Star Office, and
> Netscape and he should be able to get the things he wants done.
>
> But if you give him an ftp site and tell him to RTFM, I don't
> think this user would have a very good chance of getting
> what he wants done, done. He doesn't want to take the time
> to learn unix, and he doesn't want to put any effort into it.
> He wants it all done for him, and that is the only thing he
> cares about.
>
> I used to work tech support for an ISP, and from experience,
> %99 of the users that call up there, don't care about tcp/ip
> or modems or software. They don't care how it works or why,
> or how to make it better, they want to click the send button
> and have their email get to where ever it is going.
>
> They want to double click on the little "e" and veiw web pages
> They don't care what the little "e" is, they don't care if
> the little "e" is closed or open source, they don't care if
> it takes away their freedom, because they are to lazy or don't
> care.
>
> They don't care, the only thing the typical home user cares
> about, is when they click the little "e" they want to veiw
> the Ken Star Report.
>
> If people or companies can setup a Linux computer or any
> type of computer for that matter where all the user has
> to do, is click the Blue "N" and veiw the Star Report,
> then yes Linux is ready for the home user.
>
> If you hand a CD to a typical home user and leave,
> there would be much of a chance for the home user
> to use Linux, the majority of them would get confused
> when it comes time to split their Hard Drive up.
>
> If the home user wants to learn about Linux, they
> will. If they want to point and click to veiw
> their email, and they can do that with their system
> with what every OS is already on there, then they
> will "not fix what THEY don't see as broken", if it
> brings up their email, then to THEM, it is not
> broken, and their is little chance of them changing.
>
> Opps, that is probably longer than it should have been.
>
> Standard Disclaimer,
>
> This is only my veiw, it could be wrong, you are free to
> tell me other wise. It is based out of personal experince
> (or/and personal hangups) with typical users (if there is
> such a thing). This is not a flame, troll bait, or what
> ever, it is how I see it, but then again there isn't much
> light in this room :)
>
> Jack
