Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar


Sorry, I agree with you, s/GUI/graphic based/ in my post. I've just


Yes - graphics based. I use graphics based programs like gimp, links 
-g, opera, xv  xzgv, gv and xdvi.



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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar

sincerely assume that.


well here in poland people do see a difference, because computer has to be 
bought, while windoze can be pirated.


in my 320 user network less than ten bought windoze, over 300 uses pirated 
one, 10 uses my X-terminals.



and it's good for microsoft. if police in poland would start catching 
pirated for real, in 1-2 years windows will be unpopular.

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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar


User-friendliness is obviously subjective.  Some people consider a


my definition is that user friendly system does what i want, does it right 
and quickly. simply - it's my slave. not my master.


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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar
FreeBSD 6-STABLE console on my amd64 3000+ and wanted to know why i was using 
such an old computer. She had the visual aspect of the user interface 
ingrained as a measure of the capabilities of the machine. Granted, it could 
be only because she's ten, but I think we'd find a lot of people think that


no. it was just more unfortunate to her, because what you learn as a child 
is then accepted as normal and natural in adult life.


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Re: X + WM != GUI? (Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI)

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar

I am not following this.  If (X.org + some WM) is not a GUI,
how would you define


He probably equates a desktop environment (such as KDE/Gnome/etc.) to a GUI.


most people exactly equates that and i stated i that such defined GUI is 
completely useless and actually takes over time and resources.


but you are right - of course


Which is wrong, of course: GUI is just any form of graphical user
interface, which X fits nicely.

X+wm. X alone doesn't provide any GUI.
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Bart Silverstrim

Rolf G Nielsen wrote:

Reid Linnemann wrote:

My ten year old niece has been brainwashed by the GUI quagmire. She 
saw my FreeBSD 6-STABLE console on my amd64 3000+ and wanted to know 
why i was using such an old computer. She had the visual aspect of 
the user interface ingrained as a measure of the capabilities of the 
machine. Granted, it could be only because she's ten, but I think we'd 
find a lot of people think that something has to have more blinky 
lights and chrome to be better or faster.

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I seriously doubt that it's only because she's ten. A friend of mine 
(who's 37) defines user-friendliness based on the number of tasks he can 
complete through a GUI. I used to think like that too, but not any 
longer. I first tried FreeBSD in 1998, but I couldn't get anything 
running. I just had no idea how, and I was expecting a nice 
user-friendly GUI, like Windoze, but without the constant crashes.


In 1999 I purchased The complete FreeBSD, 3rd edition with CDs 
included, and this my second try was a lot more sucessful. I was still 
after a fancy GUI, but this time I got things working. Not without 
effort though.


Over the years since I first tried FreeBSD, my ideas about ease of use 
have changed quite a lot. I no longer define user-friendliness based on 
what I can do in the GUI; actually, I'm often annoyed by all the menus, 
submenus and all the whistles and bells. It's really a lot easier to 
edit a text file to change some setting, than browsing through heaps of 
buttons, drop-down lists and all that.


I think what everyone seems to be missing is that you know something 
about your computer.


You want a directory?  Dir.  Unless you're using Unix.  Then it's 
ls.  How would you have known this without some background in using 
the system, if you were just plunked down in front of it?  (Jurassic 
Park...Hey!  I know this!)


For people interested in computers, it isn't a chore to learn about 
various commands or even learning how to learn about commands.  It's not 
a chore to learn how the system works.  For computer oriented people the 
user-friendliness bar is far higher in tolerance than for your average user.


The computer user is as enthused about learning how to find a file (or 
know where the hell they're storing the [EMAIL PROTECTED] file...) as I am finding 
out the differences among radial tire options for my car or what the 
building codes are for my home when remodeling or learning why my tax 
forms are so @#$%! difficult to navigate through.


User friendliness means they *don't need to think about a task*, and 
they will put up with a small amount of hassle to achieve a task as long 
as it isn't a pain in the arse for them to get from A to B.


Sorry, but the quickest way for them to sit down and figure something 
out without having to refer to extra books and cheatsheets is by a (well 
designed) GUI.  It can give them something to experiment with, and the 
interface presents them with a pointer and a mouse and menus to hint at 
options rather than a directionless blinking cursor.  They can interact 
with it.  If well designed, it can guide them through tasks.


The command line is MUCH faster for many tasks, given that you know what 
you're doing with it.  Train someone on a rote task and the command line 
would be just fine for what they would do. Type this...then this...then 
this...then hit enter...then print this... and the CLI is very user 
friendly.


For users to feel comfortable on their own or in doing something 
flexible, the GUI is just more comfortable for them and it reduces the 
need to actually have to think.


So it does little good for presumably tech-oriented people to proclaim 
how the command line is leaps and bounds friendlier/faster to use. 
Anyone who does user support should know that the average user would be 
required to think in order to use the system if it simply presents them 
with a flashing cursor.  What do I do?  What do I type?  Does it read 
English?  What is my paperwork even called?


And before I reach for the asbestos suit, yes, there's a learning curve 
to GUIs. But the GUI still makes them more comfortable than using the 
keyboard.  Crimony, the given the inability for people to even use the 
words LOSE and LOOSE properly, why the hell would anyone think the 
masses would find the keyboard more intuitive or easier to use with 
computers than a simple palm-sized plastic block with a button on it? 
Until computer interfaces are as easy to use as the LCARS system on the 
Enterprise or the computer interface on Atlantis (Stargate, if you're 
unfamiliar), the most comfortable thing for users to interact with will 
be pretty pictures and dancing eye candy to act as a reinforcement and 
reward for users who don't give a #!#% about how or why 

X + WM != GUI? (Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI)

2007-08-10 Thread perryh
Wojciech Puchar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 i don't use GUI. it takes a lot and gives nothing. i use both text
 and graphic (X) based apps and no gui. i use fvwm2 with my config,
 there are plenty of nice other wm's good for that.

I am not following this.  If (X.org + some WM) is not a GUI,
how would you define

* a GUI

* X.org + some WM
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Re: X + WM != GUI? (Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI)

2007-08-10 Thread Heiko Wundram (Beenic)
Am Freitag 10 August 2007 10:57:38 schrieb [EMAIL PROTECTED]:
 Wojciech Puchar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  i don't use GUI. it takes a lot and gives nothing. i use both text
  and graphic (X) based apps and no gui. i use fvwm2 with my config,
  there are plenty of nice other wm's good for that.

 I am not following this.  If (X.org + some WM) is not a GUI,
 how would you define

He probably equates a desktop environment (such as KDE/Gnome/etc.) to a GUI. 
Which is wrong, of course: GUI is just any form of graphical user 
interface, which X fits nicely.

-- 
Heiko Wundram
Product  Application Development
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Windows style computing (was Convince me, please! - too much about GUI)

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar
On Gdańsk technical university there was a man about 50 years teaching 
people unix (mostly).


what he talked very often:

---
DO NOT use windows EVER. Not because it's slow, not because it crashes, 
and not because it can't do much. Not because of security too.


But because it's teaching BAD HABITS.



Now we widely see the effects. Milions of people hates windows because it's 
slow,
it crashes, it's insecure, and not much usable.

But they are unable to switch to anything else because of these bad 
habits.


And the new market for such people was created. But again - not to cure 
their habits, but to KEEP them, with better windows.


There are linux-based better windows, FreeBSD-based better windows, 
and whatever.


if anyway really like to change, he/she has to change her/his habits.
And it WILL TAKE MONTHS (or years) of WORK!

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Re[2]: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Gerard
On August 10, 2007 at 03:47AM Wojciech Puchar wrote:


 well here in poland people do see a difference, because computer has to be 
 bought, while windoze can be pirated.

I was not aware of any place where they gave computers away.
 
 in my 320 user network less than ten bought windoze, over 300 uses pirated 
 one, 10 uses my X-terminals.

So, you have 300+ criminals working for you. How secure does that make
you feel?

 and it's good for microsoft. if police in poland would start catching 
 pirated for real, in 1-2 years windows will be unpopular.

Either that, or the criminal act of pirating software will become
outmoded.


-- 
Gerard
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Wojciech Puchar
idea how, and I was expecting a nice user-friendly GUI, like Windoze, but 
without the constant crashes.


that's what most people expect. and thats why i say:

Windows it the most windows compatible system available. don't change to 
other.




In 1999 I purchased The complete FreeBSD, 3rd edition with CDs included,


in Poland there are lots of books available about linux, none of them 
actually learning anything :)


and this my second try was a lot more sucessful. I was still after a fancy 
GUI, but this time I got things working. Not without effort though.

that's good. it forced you to learn.

Where most Windoze users find Windoze user-friendly, I find it user-hostile, 
because it hides the simplest things under tons of graphics.


that's makes money. educated and intelligent customer is the worst 
customer! unaware/stupid one will buy everything that will solve the 
problems (and create 2 times more).

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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-10 Thread Adam J Richardson

Hi Gerard,

Gerard wrote:

I was not aware of any place where they gave computers away.


In the UK we call them skips. Not sure what the rest of the world 
calls them. [Large metal junk containers placed at the back of large 
buildings near the other bins. They're usually hired rather than owned. 
Perfectly good computers are often found within.] Most of my CRT 
monitors come from skips.


There's no shame in skipdiving when you can't afford hardware. :)

Adam J Richardson
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-09 Thread Wojciech Puchar

desktop system should be, so FreeBSD with GUI apps _is_
-- or can be if you want -- a perfect desktop system.


i don't use GUI. it takes a lot and gives nothing. i use both text and 
graphic (X) based apps and no gui. i use fvwm2 with my config, there are 
plenty of nice other wm's good for that.


i need a productive system, no graphical user interfaces etc, that let 
me actually concentrate of what i have to do!


Most of You needs the same, but after years of aggressive 
marketing/brainwashing think that graphical user interfaces, desktop 
environments etc. are important.

The most stupid but popular claim is that complexity is good.

this make people work many TIMES slower, both 100% window$ users and 
95-99% unix users.


all of this is needed to convince people that every 1-2 year they need new 
modern computer and the old is worth nothing. and people believe in it.


their problem, not mine :)
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-09 Thread Reid Linnemann

Written by Wojciech Puchar on 08/09/07 12:04

desktop system should be, so FreeBSD with GUI apps _is_
-- or can be if you want -- a perfect desktop system.


i don't use GUI. it takes a lot and gives nothing. i use both text and 
graphic (X) based apps and no gui. i use fvwm2 with my config, there are 
plenty of nice other wm's good for that.


i need a productive system, no graphical user interfaces etc, that let 
me actually concentrate of what i have to do!


Most of You needs the same, but after years of aggressive 
marketing/brainwashing think that graphical user interfaces, desktop 
environments etc. are important.

The most stupid but popular claim is that complexity is good.

this make people work many TIMES slower, both 100% window$ users and 
95-99% unix users.


all of this is needed to convince people that every 1-2 year they need 
new modern computer and the old is worth nothing. and people believe 
in it.


their problem, not mine :)


My ten year old niece has been brainwashed by the GUI quagmire. She saw 
my FreeBSD 6-STABLE console on my amd64 3000+ and wanted to know why i 
was using such an old computer. She had the visual aspect of the user 
interface ingrained as a measure of the capabilities of the machine. 
Granted, it could be only because she's ten, but I think we'd find a lot 
of people think that something has to have more blinky lights and chrome 
to be better or faster.

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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-09 Thread Nikola Lecic
On Thu, 9 Aug 2007 19:04:50 +0200 (CEST)
Wojciech Puchar [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

  desktop system should be, so FreeBSD with GUI apps _is_
  -- or can be if you want -- a perfect desktop system.
 
 i don't use GUI. it takes a lot and gives nothing. i use both text
 and graphic (X) based apps and no gui. i use fvwm2 with my config,
 there are plenty of nice other wm's good for that.

Sorry, I agree with you, s/GUI/graphic based/ in my post. I've just
wanted to be clear that X.org and X-apps are not the part of
FreeBSD.

Nikola Lečić
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-09 Thread Nikola Lecic
On Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:15:08 -0500
Reid Linnemann [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 My ten year old niece has been brainwashed by the GUI quagmire. She
 saw my FreeBSD 6-STABLE console on my amd64 3000+ and wanted to know
 why i was using such an old computer. [...] Granted, it could be
 only because she's ten.

The important part is that she asked you why you used a computer
because, like millions of users, she don't make difference between
computer and window$ (i.e. OS). People will rarely explicitly state
that, of course, but when I speak to some people, I see that they
sincerely assume that.

That reminds me of a typical brainwashing sencence from window$: when
you want to press the reboot icon, the text over your mouse will tell
something like Shut down and start Windows again; the sencence
contains an explicit equalisation of machine and window$.

So I'd say this has nothing to do with one's age.

Nikola Lečić
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-09 Thread Rolf G Nielsen

Reid Linnemann wrote:

My ten year old niece has been brainwashed by the GUI quagmire. She saw 
my FreeBSD 6-STABLE console on my amd64 3000+ and wanted to know why i 
was using such an old computer. She had the visual aspect of the user 
interface ingrained as a measure of the capabilities of the machine. 
Granted, it could be only because she's ten, but I think we'd find a lot 
of people think that something has to have more blinky lights and chrome 
to be better or faster.

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I seriously doubt that it's only because she's ten. A friend of mine 
(who's 37) defines user-friendliness based on the number of tasks he can 
complete through a GUI. I used to think like that too, but not any 
longer. I first tried FreeBSD in 1998, but I couldn't get anything 
running. I just had no idea how, and I was expecting a nice 
user-friendly GUI, like Windoze, but without the constant crashes.


In 1999 I purchased The complete FreeBSD, 3rd edition with CDs 
included, and this my second try was a lot more sucessful. I was still 
after a fancy GUI, but this time I got things working. Not without 
effort though.


Over the years since I first tried FreeBSD, my ideas about ease of use 
have changed quite a lot. I no longer define user-friendliness based on 
what I can do in the GUI; actually, I'm often annoyed by all the menus, 
submenus and all the whistles and bells. It's really a lot easier to 
edit a text file to change some setting, than browsing through heaps of 
buttons, drop-down lists and all that.


Where most Windoze users find Windoze user-friendly, I find it 
user-hostile, because it hides the simplest things under tons of graphics.


For some applications, like image manipulation, a good GUI is a must (at 
least that's my point of view), but good doesn't mean complex. And a GUI 
is certainly not needed for running a computer.


My friend, whom I mentioned above, says my computer looks like a green 
screen from 1970's movies. I once tried to guide him over the phone 
through downloading a file using Windoze's built-in cli FTP client. He 
didn't even know that such a procedure was possible; he had the idea, 
that downloading a file required a graphical progress bar. After the 
file was downloaded (a GUI FTP client), he said it was the most horrible 
thing he'd ever done, and had comments about this being the 21st 
century. So, I doubt your niece's comment was just about her being a child.


--

Sincerly,

Rolf Nielsen
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Re: Convince me, please! - too much about GUI

2007-08-09 Thread Erik Osterholm
On Thu, Aug 09, 2007 at 08:20:13PM +0200, Rolf G Nielsen wrote:
 My ten year old niece has been brainwashed by the GUI quagmire. She saw
 my FreeBSD 6-STABLE console on my amd64 3000+ and wanted to know why i
 was using such an old computer. She had the visual aspect of the user
 interface ingrained as a measure of the capabilities of the machine.
 Granted, it could be only because she's ten, but I think we'd find a lot
 of people think that something has to have more blinky lights and chrome
 to be better or faster.

 I seriously doubt that it's only because she's ten. A friend of mine
 (who's 37) defines user-friendliness based on the number of tasks he can
 complete through a GUI. I used to think like that too, but not any
 longer. I first tried FreeBSD in 1998, but I couldn't get anything
 running. I just had no idea how, and I was expecting a nice
 user-friendly GUI, like Windoze, but without the constant crashes.

snip

 Where most Windoze users find Windoze user-friendly, I find it
 user-hostile, because it hides the simplest things under tons of graphics.

 For some applications, like image manipulation, a good GUI is a must (at
 least that's my point of view), but good doesn't mean complex. And a GUI
 is certainly not needed for running a computer.

 My friend, whom I mentioned above, says my computer looks like a green
 screen from 1970's movies. I once tried to guide him over the phone
 through downloading a file using Windoze's built-in cli FTP client. He
 didn't even know that such a procedure was possible; he had the idea,
 that downloading a file required a graphical progress bar. After the
 file was downloaded (a GUI FTP client), he said it was the most horrible
 thing he'd ever done, and had comments about this being the 21st
 century. So, I doubt your niece's comment was just about her being a child.

 --
 Sincerly,
 Rolf Nielsen

User-friendliness is obviously subjective.  Some people consider a
system to be user-friendly if it doesn't require reading documentation
to start using it.  Some people consider a system to be user-friendly
if there is a simply, efficient interface.  It's rare to find software
where both of these are true.

In business, you simply can't forget the learning curve.  Learning how
to efficiently use Unix may not be the best use of epmployee time,
since most of them know how to use Windows already.  This is
especially true with high-turnover rates--how much time do you want to
spend training someone who will just jump ship for a better paying job
in 2 years?

Personally, I'm with you.  I'm much more efficient on the
command-line, but that's only because I've spent a not-insignificant
portion of my life using it.  I saw the benefits long ago, and even
though there was a learning curve (imagine having to actually read
documentation rather than going in blindly and clicking!), I feel that
it was worth it.

Erik
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