On Wed, Jul 14, 2004 at 06:49:11PM -0400, Matthew Brush wrote:
> I used to sell computers to regular users.  On more than one occasion I
> though about installing Linux on the systems so I could offer the
> computers for over $150 less that usual.  After some serious thinking I
> decided against this, because I would've had spend much more than $150
> worth of time per system just helping users install they're new webcam,
> or install the latest game.  So Windows 98SE it was (at the time), it
> was reliable, rarely crashed, and everyone could figure out how to use it.

Good choice. Any situation where there is a Windows substitution situation
is a recipie for disaster. It's important for the target audience to
understand that Linux (and other non-Windows OSes) are different. Whenever
the expectation is that it'll behave the same, that's when the trouble starts.

A better resolution in that situation may be to offer Linux as an option
giving a clear listing of the differences. Then allow users to make a
[somewhat] informed decision about which to choose.

>
> I think of Linux as the operating system built by and for computer
> geeks.

By yes. For... not exactly. If that were the case we'd probably all still be
using 80x25 green monochrome terminals.

Several efforts in browsing, E-mail, desktop, and Office systems are clearly
geared for the average non-geek user.

>  They don't want every Joe Schmoe using the operating system,
> because then they wouldn't be as "exclusive" in their job.
> Job Security I guess.


I definitely disagree with this assertion. I really (I mean REALLY!) wish
that all my family, friends, colleagues, and students used Linux on a regular
basis. I would beg Joe Schmoe to use it.

But I know that the user base hasn't yet reached the critical mass for that
to occur.

>  Another thing I notice is that the Linux people (mostly
> younger, newer users) get this condescending attitude about Linux, like,
> if you're using Windows, you are so much less intelligent or something.
> That attitude pisses me off to no end.

It's the typical zealotry of the newly converted. Often when one achieves a
paradigm shift in thinking, their first reaction is to attempt to convert
everyone around them. But change is a slow process, so they get frustrated
and lash out. Not good I admit, but a somewhat natural human reaction.

>
> I think Linux could be the operating system of the future, all they need
> to do is make a better graphical interface and the rest of the world
> would run to it.

Won't happen that way. To indiviual users, it's all about applications.
Conversion will occur when the application set available on Linux mostly
matches the needs of the user base.

BTW can you explain in what ways that the graphical interface can be made
better?

>  Because, my aunt Jane doesn't want to compile source
> code to get her new scanner installed, and my friends sister doesn't
> want to drop to the command line to get the latest messenger program
> running.

I'm confused by both of the above examples. Nearly every current Linux
distribution has scanner software ready to go, and point/click install
mechanisms. The only exceptions are the few true geek distrubtions such
as Slackware or Gentoo.

For example check out packages such as kpackage, synaptic, or gnome-apt for
point/click graphical package management.

>
> That's my two cents.  Not that anyone cares :)

I do care. Because like most things in life, perception is reality. So
changing perceptions about Linux is critical to build the reality many of
us Linux users would like to see.

I have a suggestion. Come up with a short list of activities that an average
user would like to do. Don't define these by application, but by the activities
the applications perform. Also for the sake of this experiment, leave software
installation off the list.

Then pull down a burn the latest Knoppix CD from one of the mirrors listed
on this page: http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html and burn
it.

Drop CD into a machine and boot it. Please note that you must boot the CD,
not load it from Windows. Just hit return at the boot prompt for starters.

Then try working through the items on your list. See how well (or not well)
it works.

I feel that a lot of the negative perceptions about Linux stem from 3 things:

1) The superior snotty attituted that some users portray as listed above.
2) A fixed perception of a moving target. As Jason pointed out yesterday that
   something that he struggles with today is automagic 6 months from now.
3) The expectation that if it doesn't behave exactly the way they you are
   used to, that be definition that it must be inferior.

Personally I wish I could take every "My OS is better than yours, you geek!"
person and give them a good swift kick where it hurts. Each serves a need. Each
has flaws. Each has limitations.

I like to show Knoppix not because it's the best, but because it's a good
blend of a lot of current software along with painless, drop in setup.

Take it for a spin. You may be surprised at the progress.

BAJ

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