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I couldn't agree more. Most end users only have a vague notion of what an operating system is, and why should they need to know? Desktop systems are about accessability and ease of use for end users, and GUI's (mostly) are for end users. If a GUI cannot be configured by an end user, who's fault is that? Clive -----Original Message----- From: Brough, Tom To: 'list@xxxxxxxxxxxx' Sent: 4/9/03 2:19 PM Subject: [LUG] Do other LUG Members find X a pain to configure ? These are just some of my thoughts on the subject of X Recently I have been contacted by potential users of Linux who have taken the first step towards using it by attempting to install distros of their PC's. I have installed many different distros, on many different machines ranging from 386 - Athlon 1.8GHz machines, although my primary experience is RedHat. For the most part I have been able to get X running without resorting to having to download drivers and compile them. However these users have had problems which have required them to download and compile drivers, or have exhausted all their efforts / options in terms of configuration. Some of these user, while new to linux are very "technically minded". I am very curious to know if other members of the group have had similar problems with getting X to work, or heard similar stories from new users, since this seems to be (IMO) an area that would put most "non-technical" people off and hence inhibit the potential growth in user base. Unfortunately we live in a world where if it aint pretty it wont sell. While I would agree with anyone that linux as a whole has many advantages over other proprietary operating systems, if users cant see the GUI interface without serious configuration fiddling they will abandon it and go back to something else. Even to myself it seems a poor show if you need to download source, compile your own kernel and additional drivers in order to get a GUI interface. Is it just me, or are we complacent people who tell others to go and Read The Manual or say "well it works ok on my machine" ? Is there anything we can do to make X "smarter" ? Do we need to lobby Graphics Cards Manufacturers ? Is it time to admit that X configuration is a serious problem that (while improving) needs to be resolved ? I only ask these questions because while I know that linux is not just about GUI interfaces, to many users thats what they want, without any fuss. (constructive) comments please Tom Information in this message is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is the intended solely for the person ( or persons) to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender, and please delete the message from your system immediately. The views in this message are personal, they are not necessarily those of Torbay Council. -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG Mail majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe list" in the message body to unsubscribe. ________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star Internet. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.star.net.uk ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star Internet. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.star.net.uk ________________________________________________________________________ -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG Mail majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe list" in the message body to unsubscribe.