dizzy wrote:
>
> Well... I dont disagree Jerry,
> However from my perspective (which is quite possibly flawed) is I see Linux
>*rite
> now* in a kind of push come to shove perdiciment where really for the first time
>Linux
> is openly aknowledged to be a competitor with a milti-billion dollar company, in fact
> the *only* operating system (unfortunatly)
> Its a choice- users really want just a few things
>
> 1)stability [linux has that]
>
> 2)they want to dialup to the web [which untill recently has become a nightmare for
>most
> linux newbies]
With either wvdial or kppp it has been a snap for almost a year...
>
> 3)they want to browse the web [IMO netscape is really the only choice for an across
>the
> board accepted standard webbrowser *and* it seems to becoming less stable]
I used Netscape 4.05 (if I remember correctly) since I first fired up
Linux a year ago. When SusE 6.0 came out I began using 4.5, which came
with the SuSE package. While I have seen many messages on various
newsgroups and maillists about Netscape problems, I find both version I
ran to be very stable and adquate. I happen to like Netscape's email
package. Since I started using newsgroups on CI$ fifteen years ago,
I've noticed a tendency of some to assume that because a group is awash
in certian kinds of problems the populace as a whole has the same
problems. I wonder if that assumption is accurate. I would think that
most Linux users don't have the hardware software problems seen on this
maillist or on comp.os.linux.misc. After all, there are close to 15
million Linux users. If the majority of them had these problems either
these groups and lists would be swamped (and 80 msgs a day is peanuts)
or the number of Linux users, instead of exponentially growing as they
is now doing, would die out within three months.
> 4) they want some kind of gui windowing [ you look at K or gnome then the otheres
>such
> as fwm or icewm and tell me which one "most" users will choose]
KDE without a doubt. It is here, it is now, and it looks like Windows
so they are 'familiar' with it.
>
> 5) they want a decent mail reader [which recently in this group has been discussed
>w/o
> any real conclusions ie: this one works... what more do you want. It goes back and
Done deal. KDE solved that problem with Kppp. It is no different that
setting up the 'Dialup' program on Win95, and just as easy. Have you
notice that most WinXX users merely use the browser and email software
the Gates put in the WinXX package. The same will happen with KDE and
Kppp. However, later on they may try another Xwindow client or email
package because NO package is tied to the OS. Or, they may not. Most
will stay with what came with the package because it works and they
other things to do...
> call me jaded or whatever but I just dont veiw that as progress, or rephrased--
>progress that will keep up with the times.
> Many folks will just say... nice but... not for me. IOW not taken seroiusly-- for the
They do that now even for Windows! Computers may be everywhere, but
there are still more people who don't use them than those who do. Those
kinds of people won't be happy with Linux either. For many people
Windows does exactly what they want to do, the way they want to do it,
and with the Win 3.11 software they are currently running on their 386
box. They may never change unless the box can't be repaired. The
software won't wear out!
> 6) they want their documents compatible with their associates .doc .xls. Reading
> anything about SO makes my stomach churn... Maybe its ok on the new release. But I
> assure you Ive spent more than appropriate time downloading- printing the docs- NADA
> Ive also tried the handicapped version of applixware on 5.3 I no longer bother to
> install it
I've purchased and installed SO, Applix and Corel WP. All three ran
great for me. I gave SO CD to my son because I liked Applix better for
most stuff. For scientific work I like WP better. I think it is great
that all three were affordable. I used to use Word 5.0, 6.0, 7.0,
Word95 and there is where I stopped. Both Applix and WP imported my
Word docs nicely. WP barfed on a 1.2 MB rtf file, but Applix slurped it
right up and displayed it perfectly. I sorry you had such a bad
experience with your installations.
> 7)they want to be able to hook up a printer without jumping thru a million hoops. a
> simple printer!
No problem. as2ps and GhostScrip installed automatically on my box and
my Cannon BJC 620 runs like a champ. So did the BJC 4000 before it. I
may soon be trying an HP postscrip laser printer. I don't expect any
problems.
>
> 8) and I think lastly.. they want a CHOICE... a *viable choice* and lets face it
>*most*
> rather than stick it out to the bitter end... would just succumb to ms. Its easier to
I am not sure what you mean by "viable choice". I found I have more
choices with Linux that I did with M$. I also have more control of my
system. It is not a "black box" loaded with binaries and promises of
fixes to arrive in the next "update/version". It is only in those areas
that commerical companies saw the opportunities for the largest and
easiest return on their money do we find 'choices'. Quicken and the M$
offering. Then what? StreetAtlas and the M$ offering. Then what?
Two or three flight simulators,word processors, spread sheets and three
or four grahics programs. The 'losers' fade away as M$ executes it game
plan.
> speaking for myself, Ive givin linux my best... but have gotten past the point of
>rtfm
> or man this and man that.... factually much of linuxes problems if you will, is its
Tell me you aren't better for it. Tell me that you don't now understand
your system more than you ever had before. And, you have reason to
learn -- you can contribute! It may be your set of eyes that sees a
behavior, realizes the problem, consults the source and fixes it and
posts the fix on the net. Like Linux said, "With enough eyeballs all
bugs are shallow"
>lack of organization with the software writers , distrubuters and lack of *up to date*
> documentation, whithout having to spend a day finding how to apply one file
> I could go on and on.. Im sure the group gets my point and there has been discussion
> adinfiniteum regarding Linux being ready for prime time. I suppose its all ones
> definition of "prime time"
> best regards
> rob
"Lack of organization".... I am sure that you realize that Linux is a
volunteer effort. Rather than complain about it, pitch in and help, in
any way you can. Can't code? Volunteer to document. Can't write?
Organize. Can't organize? Donate $$$. Freely it was given, freely you
received, freely you should give. And, above all, encourage!"
JLK chapter 1 verse 1.
And my number one reason for using Linux? FUN! FUN! FUN! Linux has
brought the fun back into computers!
JLK
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