On 09/02/07, Kevanf1 <kevanf1(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: > This article is sure to raise the hackles of a lot of Linux users. > But, do as I did and read it through then think about what has been > said. I agree with probably 75% of the article. What I do not agree > with is the last bit about software being difficult to install. It > certainly used to be, but not anymore in my experience. In fact, if > anybody has every had problems with getting an external hard drive to > run in Windows (the manufacturer states that he drivers are built in > with Win2k and XP) you'll appreciate just how good Linux drivers now > are. > > http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=386 > Modern distros ( I use PCLinux as my main OS) are point 'n' click. Download progs with synaptic/apt-get or Freespire's click'n'run. Ulteo promises an automatic update system when the final is released. We've all got 3D desktops before Vista hit the shops. BUT when I upgraded my video card the first job was to boot XP to check it works, then you go back to Linux and start sorting out drivers. This will be a problem until the hardware manufacturers supply firmware for Linux and then we can have a Win-type Hardware installer wizard. "found new hardware" click click and it's running. We've all had to do the command line boogie at some time. For the know-nothings like me this can be very frustrating "sh*t why won't it work now?" "oh, that should have been a lower case letter" "what does it mean? - permissions" "it's my bl**dy computer!" When it finally all works it's very rewarding, so we try another distro and start over again. At the moment there's nothing to discuss. Computer sales in the high street will run M$oft products for the foreseeable future. How many Linux users are there who don't have a partition holding a copy of Win? Stuart Using Ffox 2 on PCLinuxOS .94/2007 test release. Registered Linux Mangler #001 _______________________________________________ Staffslug mailing list Staffslug(a)staffslug.org.uk http://www.staffslug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/staffslug

On 09/02/07, Kris Douglas <webbox.uk(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: > The people who post all the crap about how crap linux are people who have > used windows and have not read a manual to help them understand what you > have to do to make stuff happen in linux. > > They are just ignorent.... Whoa there winkle. I've not read the article, I don't need to, I can guess the gist of what its about. I firmly believe the Linux community needs to take a chill pill when it comes to stuff like this. I do tend to approach the subject from a salesman's perspective and take each negative and try to overcome the resistance with explanation and example techniques rather than the "Its better coz it is" approach. One of the prerequisites of that is to be honest and acknowledge some of the downsides and faults with Linux, it ain't perfect I'm sorry to say and it never will be. The thing is, to be fair, stick most people in front of a windows box and generally speaking they can work it without having read any manual whatsoever. Having said that if you have someone who has never sat in front of a computer before sticking a Linux box in front of them will probably have the same net result. I'm not a Linux purist and never will be I believe in "Whatever gets the job done" if that means using Publisher or MS Word then so be it Red Hat is not gonna turn your application down because your CV was written and printed off using a Windows machine. The line "to help them understand what you have to do to make stuff happen in Linux" is not the right argument to use when faced with opposition to Linux because when they say "In Windows I just click on that and this happens" you've lost the argument straight away. Now I love Linux and I'm 99.9% Windows free at home but here's some more gristle to chew on; How many Linux user groups are there? How many Linux Forums? How many Linux Support Sites? How many Linux IRC channels are there? If its that good how come so much help is needed? I'm just being provocative its nothing personal I just fancied a broader discussion and you cant discuss things with everyone agreeing someone has to be a misery guts. ;-) Flames, bricks and snowballs to the usual direction please. -- Dick Turpin "Stand and deliver!" _______________________________________________ Staffslug mailing list Staffslug(a)staffslug.org.uk http://www.staffslug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/staffslug

On 09/02/07, Andrew Edwards <edwards.andrew(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: > simon once mentioned some interesting results when he had his kids > play with linux (edubuntu i think it was?) either way kids respond > better to new environments than adults, just as younger drivers can > pick up driving faster (lets not mention safety.. expirience is > everything agreed, and people love to show off) than those learning > things like driving after age 25 My daughters use it for all their school work, they know to save it on their USB drives as .doc so it can be opened at school they've had little to no help from me if anything they ask how to format text more than anything else. > anyway i've rambled along for ages now... gonna go make snow angels > (which will turn into a snowball fight.. trust me) with a very pretty > young lady ;) Can I come? -- Dick Turpin "Stand and deliver!" _______________________________________________ Staffslug mailing list Staffslug(a)staffslug.org.uk http://www.staffslug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/staffslug

On 09/02/07, Kevanf1 <kevanf1(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: > The rest is about how unfriendly the Linux community > can be. Now I wish I had read it, maybe I will later. My pet subject, anal retentive people who have found a way to bully others under the cover story of 'Linux Expert' who work on the premise "I know more than you so therefore that gives me the right to belittle you for all the world to see", remember the Internet has a memory every post you've ever done to any list, group and or forum can be found and never ever dies. I cant write anymore its just too much of a sore subject it'll get me into too much trouble.