On November 25, 2001 04:57 am, Franki wrote: > I think its also important to standardise on an alternative to setup.exe > > a self extracting self running executable for binary installations... > source is great > but newbies don't know the differences.. they need a setup file that either > loads > binaries, or compiles automatically... (and would have to be able to make > sure a compiler > is loaded, and it would need to be able to install on if it wasn't....) > Sort of code weavers wine from what I hear... > > if newbies can install stuff as easily as they do in winblows, it would go > along way to > getting things on a more even footing.. > > rgds > > Frank > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of tek1 > Sent: Sunday, 25 November 2001 12:49 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [newbie] The problem with Linux > > > i think that one of the major reasons why linux hasn't succeeded on the > desktop yet is partially due to the various distributions, but more so, i > feel, due to the lack of software on linux that end users can easily > install and import their files from windows. (that is what is preventing > me from making the full switch at this point.) > > the distributions may be slightly different, but one can view the different > distributions (which majorly differ in installation) as different versions > of windows - windows2000pro is drastically different from windows3.51. > different, but users were still able to make the adjustment. also, users > don't switch between distributions so much (once they install one), which > is why i feel windows-software-compatible programs on linux that are easy > for the end user to install are more key. look at the overwhelming > positive reception of staroffice. other programs like staroffice, i'm > certain, will be well received by newbie linux users, and will help with > the gradual migration from windows to linux. > > on the software installation issue, having a fairly standard and > very-easy-to-use easy rpm manager and all software (for end-users) being > packaged in rpm format would probably solve part of the problem. > > as for the kernel changes causing problems with software (produced by > developers), it is a difficult issue. however, one solution, i feel is to > develop programs in java (you can probably tell that i'm a java developer). > ;) the java virtual machine (jvm) provides a cushion between the software > and the os so that changes in the os will most likely be taken care of by > updates in the jvm. non-experienced linux end users really should not be > updating the kernel (kind of similar to the problems that ms' service packs > cause...) because doing so may open pandora's box and cause a lot of > problems with existing software. having an easy way for end-users to > easily upgrade the jvm (like the way mac os x handles upgrades) would > probably be a lot easier for the end-user and developer's programs would > still work (for the most part). ;) perhaps the jvm updater could be > integrated with the rpm package manager, and the rpm pkg mgr could be made > more simplified for the end-user. > > i have just started getting into linux recently and the way i see it is > that linux was in its 1st generation (mostly command-line and used by hard > core developers), but has now matured in its 2nd generation (lots of > easy-to-use distributions, much more gui-based tools/software, some > windows-software-compatible software: staroffice, jbuilder/forte, etc., and > linux coming pre-installed on some pc's by major manufacturers). in the > soon-to-come 3rd generation, i see more and more major software companies > producing linux versions of their software (as they could probably care > less about the os, as long as end-users buy their software and those > companies are armed-twisted by ms), the existing tools becoming having even > easier-to-use gui interfaces, all pc manufactures offering an array of > linux-based systems (as plentiful as the current windows-based offerings), > and hardware manufacturers also providing linux drivers for all of their > products. > > i would really like to thank mandrake though b/c i think that they've done > a superb job with the installation and other parts. if it weren't for > mandrake, i probably wouldn't be using linux today, as previous efforts > with red hat distributions were unsuccessful. hats off to all the > open-source linux developers as well b/c the drivers and software has > greatly improved since my early efforts over a year ago. thank you. > linux's day is coming very soon... :)
..Wow, what a lazy bunch of buggers! First, the 'hunting for libraries' complaint is moot: I have yet to look any further than my own LM install disks for libraries-- LM is probably better than many distros out there as they actually provide you with more than one install CD and all the stuff they offer has been compiled for a Mandrake system so it's going to work. Second, no one says you *have* to install the latest kernel and it isn't even necessary unless you're adding brand new hardware that didn't exist six months ago-- how many of you out there are installing kernels just because it has a higher number? By-and-by the install process is standard-- using RPMs is easy enough and for the odd times when I have to compile there's always an "install.sh" or "configure.sh"-- and another silly thing that even comes with Windoze installations: README files-- how many of you have failed to install something properly because you didn't read the instructions. Bottom line: If you want something 'Just like Windows' then use Windows. There is no such thing as out-and-out replacing an OS. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. And while we're at it the day Linux starts acting completely like Windows is the same day I have to defragment my ReiserFS partition after I do a virus scan because my firewalling software didn't work. Linux is different. Get over it! I really don't care if my neighbour is using it or not, I just want Linux to be there so I have a choice in how I use my PC. Period! Richie
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