Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
I have been using Linux (Mandrake and Red Hat) sans MS Windows for almost a year now. We can do anything a windows user can do and more. I did need a book to learn basics, and everyday I am learning more, not just about Linux use, but about computers in general. It depends upon what your computing needs are. If you want to have everything done nice and easily for you and if you do not mind giving up flexibility and money, Windoze is for you. Linux is more complex because it can do more. If you take the time to learn, you will have a powerful computing Operating System at your disposal. So in other words, No, Linux isn't ready for the Average User, if I may be so bold as to claim that an Average User has only an average, and not above-average, interest in "getting under the hood". Sacrificing flexibility and money for ease of use is what rational consumers do - not everyone has time to be an enthusiast or hobyist for absolutely everything. I'm sure I could by a much more powerful and flexible microwave oven (probably from some crazy guy whos torn his open and exposed everything), but I'm not into microwave ovens. Now, what pleases me about Mandrake, is Mandrake actually seems to be aware of what the Average User wants/needs. The FTP mirrors list actually tells you what you need to download. They're obviously putting a lot of effort into visual installation and configuration tools. Etc, etc. I guess that's why they won Best Distribution. Linux will certainly become a perfectly sane choice for the Average Joe (and we all know who Joe is, despite the inevitable "Who exactly is the Average Joe, anyway?" type of rebuttal). Profit motive will see to that. And when it does, it'll be because of efforts like Mandrake's. Keep up the good work! Chris
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
So in other words, No, Linux isn't ready for the Average User, if I may be so bold as to claim that an Average User has only an average, and not above-average, interest in "getting under the hood". Sacrificing lexibility and money for ease of use is what rational consumers do - not everyone has time to be an enthusiast or hobyist for absolutely everything. I'm sure I could by a much more powerful and flexible microwave oven (probably from some crazy guy whos torn his open and exposed everything), but I'm not into microwave ovens. Exactly, and who needs an ultra powerful microwave to nuke a little tv dinner? The average user needs little more than entertainment and an office suit with little or no time wasted in learning how it works. For this, they are willing to pay big bucks.
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
Exactly, and who needs an ultra powerful microwave to nuke a little tv dinner? The average user needs little more than entertainment and an office suit with little or no time wasted in learning how it works. For this, they are willing to pay big bucks. What's encouraging about Linux, is that there's no reason at all someone can't put together a distro that's brainless to install, especially for these "Web Appliances" of the near future that we keep hearing about that don't have to be as flexible as PCs and don't have to support as many hardware/software choices and comes pre-installed (a BIG part of the Linux Curve goes away if the user doesn't have to worry about isntallation). I would think that open source software could adjust to such changing platforms more quickly than the big dummies at MS. Eventually, I'd like a distribution like that to be so simple that it puts Red Hat out of business. No offense to Red Hat, but hey, freeware is freeware. (It does kind of baffle me that a company like Red Hat can go public and have their stock do well - who the heck would gamble on a company that takes something that everyone can get for free, slaps a name on it, and charges $80? Then again, I guess Evian is doing pretty well for themselves. Besides, maybe they're selling a lot of T-shirts.)
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
On Mon, 16 Aug 1999 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: (It does kind of baffle me that a company like Red Hat can go public and have their stock do well - who the heck would gamble on a company that takes something that everyone can get for free, slaps a name on it, and charges $80? Red Hat makes most of its money by support contracts. LLaP bero -- Tired of waiting for Windows 2000? STOP WAITING! http://www.ms-windows-2000.com/
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
Exactly, and who needs an ultra powerful microwave to nuke a little tv dinner? The average user needs little more than entertainment and an office suit with little or no time wasted in learning how it works. For this, they are willing to pay big bucks. My reply to this would be like buying a NEW Car from the DEALER rather than a HOT ROD from a Mechanic. The Average user wants all the Warrenty and assurances - reliable service, documentation and FULL service support that a Microsoft can and will supply. If you want to own a HOTROD you have to be willing to do the work yourself to try and get the special parts etc.. from all the various venders that will sell it. Your not going to find it all under one roof. Welcome to Linux. I would say that Linux is growning because of its growing user friendlyness.. more to compete with the Windows NT platform than anything. And really we are still talking about an OS thats primary focus is network connectivity.. not games or office suites. James
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
Red Hat makes most of its money by support contracts. That makes sense. I wonder if that will work in the long run, or if established big consultants will say "we do Linux too" and keep their old clients through any migration to Linux. I guess they'll find out.
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
My reply to this would be like buying a NEW Car from the DEALER rather than a HOT ROD from a Mechanic. The Average user wants all the Warrenty and assurances - reliable service, documentation and FULL service support that a Microsoft can and will supply. If you want to own a HOTROD you have to be willing to do the work yourself to try and get the special parts etc.. from all the various venders that will sell it. Your not going to find it all under one roof. Welcome to Linux. A fine analogy, and one that raises a point that's actually interesting I think - why do dichotomies like NEW Car / HOT ROD always arise? How inherent are those problems? I mean, is Linux doomed to either be kind of fringy, or lose everything appealing about it? For those who like worrying, this seems like something worth worrying about. - C
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
On Mon, 16 Aug 1999, James Schofield wrote: The Average user wants all the Warrenty and assurances - reliable service, documentation and FULL service support that a Microsoft can and will supply. Have you ever tried calling Microsoft support for something? They really aren't much of a help. All they can tell you is to reboot your computer. They won't fix bugs even if you report them. And really we are still talking about an OS thats primary focus is network connectivity.. not games or office suites. I disagree. It used to be that way, yes, but it's changing. (And yes, I'm using Linux exclusively on computers that won't ever be connected to a network). LLaP bero -- Tired of waiting for Windows 2000? STOP WAITING! http://www.ms-windows-2000.com/
Re: [newbie] Linux Not for Average Users (Was: Linux for home consumers?)
I'm running release candidate 1 as we speak. In 1280x1024 at 24 bit color, by the way. Original Message Follows -- Tired of waiting for Windows 2000? STOP WAITING! http://www.ms-windows-2000.com/ ___ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
