Recent experience advocating Linux

[Brett Alton]

In some ways Ubuntu is easier in some ways it isn't.

I'm set up Ubuntu and Windows (mostly in the past) hundreds of times,
so I know what it's like to configure a fresh installation.

With Ubuntu, I wrote a bash script[1] that does everything for me but
for Windows, I either use my repository of manually downloaded
programs or use http://filehippo.com to get the latest and greatest
software. Both methods have their pros and cons. I, of course, prefer
Ubuntu due to the fact that I can install repositories and download
gigabytes of programs without having to click next next next. Also,
the programs are kept up-to-date with a package manager over each
program implementing their own update system manually (or, worse,
programs that pop up every couple weeks asking you to install a new
version).

>From a user perspective, setting up PPAs can be _dreadful_. There is
NO way to do it without using the command-line. Want the latest
Chromium/Chrome build? Command-line. Pidgin? Command-line.
Ubuntu-tweak (which isn't even available in the Ubuntu repos),
command-line.

Installing software in Ubuntu, no matter how wonderful I mind it, is
still dreadful for the average user.

[1] http://github.com/brettalton/ubuntu-assistant

On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 1:56 PM, Ralph Janke <txwikinger at ubuntu.com> wrote:
>  From my own experience, that can be a myth!
>
> I have numerous times now discovered, that users of
> windows computers had problems connecting printers.
> And even PC technicians from stores were not able to
> find the right driver to get the printer working (and
> I am talking standard HP printers here).
>
> However, if you install Ubuntu on the same machine
> the printer just works without any configurations, hence
> passing the Eric Raymond test.
>
> Please lets stop live in the past. Ubuntu is now as easy
> (if not easier) to use as Windows. And we are also making
> strides trying to catch up with the user experience of Apple
> which is certainly excellent. However, just wait for the next
> two releases and we will have made additional strides.
>
> The nice thing for ubuntu is, you can do both. There is
> nothing that prevents you from using command line
> terminal if you are good in using that, however,
> point&click is supported equally.
>
> Just my 2c
>
> Ralph (txwikinger)
>
>
> On 06/03/2010 01:12 PM, Borden Rhodes wrote:
>> I get a little concerned when I read 'point-&-click' syndrome.  One of the
>> major reasons why I don't advocate Linux to clients, friends and family (the
>> biggest being bugs and instability) is the fact that configuring and
>> troubleshooting Linux requires a huge amount of technical expertise.
>>
>> People use computers like cars: they just want to get from point A to point B
>> as quickly as possible.  These people have careers and friends and other
>> responsibilities and although the amazing things you can do with gawk are
>> fascinating, they aren't useful for getting work done.  Accordingly, people
>> pay me huge sums of money precisely because they're using their brains for
>> things other than hardware troubleshooting or virus removal and I don't use my
>> brain for anything much more useful so I have room for this information.
>>
>> I'm pleased to see that recent efforts are trying to fix this in Linux but we
>> still have years to go.  I know that sitting in front of a root terminal gives
>> a huge rush of power but people looking to get something useful done rather
>> than bask in the computing experience don't appreciate the novelty as much as
>> the hackers and hobbyists do.
>>
>> Borden
>>
>> On 3 June 2010 09:25:25 Stephen Kawamoto wrote:
>>
>>> On the bus to work the other day - I'm a security guard - I talked to an
>>> Asian lad using his PSP 2000.
>>>
>>> He claimed familiarity originally with Mac and Windows XP.
>>>
>>> At some point in the past, he tried Linux but didn't like it. I assume this
>>> may be due to the point-&-click syndrome caused by extensive Mac and
>>> Windows use.
>>>
>>> So I advocated Linux like mad, expressing my opinion about freeing one from
>>> licensing renewals during upgrades i.e. XP and 7 require separate
>>> licenses, as do Macs. This is reflect in their price.
>>>
>>> As the person has some familiarity with Linux, I didn't mention that Linux
>>> is usually free.
>>>
>>> At our destination, he said he'd look into trying out Linux again.
>>>
>>> My only regret is not having printed up personal business cards, which I'll
>>> remedy when I return to my Dell machine - I'm in the middle of migrating
>>> from a Dell GX60 to a Compaq D51C.
>>>
>>
>
>
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