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Re: [LUG] My Own Observations Of Course




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brough, Tom" <Tom.Brough@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 2:03 PM
Subject: [LUG] My Own Observations Of Course


1. Linux tends to invoke a Geek / Religious stereotype but stereotypes are
just that.

Agreed.

2. There are good arguments for the ultimate thin client (ie web browser
based services) but then everything is based on hosting, and network
infrastructure.

The ISP I work for has been steadily increasing our dependency on web based
applications for the last seven years.  I forget which Manager first coined
the phrase "we want to become more webcentric", but personally I'd like to
shoot him.  Seven years ago the HTTP traffic volume was *just* for Internet
traffic.  The databases and other programs we used fairly zipped along as
they used other protocols etc.  Now we use HTTP for Internet, Intranet, and
*three* databases (and I bet I've forgotten something having been off now
seven months).  Needless to say the bandwidth requirements have rocketed,
while bandwidth *availability* has gone down the toilet.  We're supposed to
wrap up calls in an average of 6.5 minutes.  That's unrealistic now that the
databases take a minute or so to respond.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for using one interface to merge several
functions together, and if a web browser is seen as a suitable interface
because the majority of users are familiar with it, then fair enough.
However, the infrastructure has to be in place *before* the program(s)
is(are) launched.  This may seem like common sense, but I'm sure we can all
think of examples of the old adage "Common sense isn't".

If you think this is going to help the digital divide you
would be sadly mistaken. Provide computer access first, network
infrastructure can come later and the learning curve will be shallower.

I'd have to disagree (see my previous comments).  The learning curve will
stall completely if the users find the speed of the system untenable because
the network is not there to support it.

3. Classed (fairly or unfairly) as a Geek group, we are not going to
attract
the singularly most important group people to switch to linux .... TNG ...

Would you agree with my earlier comment that Gamers are an important
fraternity to target?  I'm thinking this also because the majority of gamers
fit into the TNG bracket.  More games (such as the UT series - and I hear
rumours that Doom 3 will have a Linux variant) that play faster on cheaper
hardware will get them coming over to Linux in droves.  Gamers are speed
merchants, and if you can show them that you can play the same game better
on a lesser machine with a Linux install they will be putty in your hands.

swearing on this list will not aid this one bit, and maybe you can hear it
in the primary playground where your kids go to but its highly discouraged
where my son goes to school. Just because something is fact doesnt make it
right.

Agreed 100%.

If we are going to
use a community built project to run our computers then shouldnt we be
involving the wider community in its use ?

Of course it is impossible for you all to know by reading my emails, however
I am disabled.  IT is the perfect arena for a wheelchair user such as myself
as it does not matter whether the user is sat on an office chair or in a
wheelchair.  Perhaps a foray into the Devon/Cornwall PHAB Clubs would be an
idea?  For those of you who don't know PHAB stands for Physically
Handicapped And Able Bodied, and is a nationwide organisation designed to
help integration of the disabled by getting them involved with youngsters
who then grow up with them, and without the stereotypical images some of
their older relatives may have had thrust upon them.  In short it's a youth
club organisation for disabled and able-bodied kids.

Now there's an idea (he thinks):  An Unreal Tournament LAN Party, half with
MS boxes half with Linux boxes, and let Linux strut its' stuff in direct
competition ;)  What happens then (ideally) is:

Kiddo goes home and puts Linux on his home PC.  Parents come to nose and see
what he is up to, maybe Dad likes playing games) or Mum like browsing or
sending emails to Auntie Jessie.  They see Linux and start to tell *their*
friends (especially the ones who complain about Windows crashing all the
time):  "Oh I'm using Linux.... what does a crash look like?" ;)

If someone is frightend of joining this group
simply because they feel intimidated by the "geekyness" of its members
(and
I can be labled in the "geek" category too) then we have failed to get our
message over.

Again agreed, and I think maybe the LAN Party idea might get over that
hurdle?  Assuming they don't think "Oh no.... geeks AND they mod their
boxes!" ;)

Every member is important from first page in the manual to
20,30,40 years IT experiance, and potential members are even more
important.
I have been in IT long enough now to recognise that you cant know
everything, and it takes time to learn what you do know, so why should I
treat anyone differently ?

True Zen there:  The beginning of all wisdom is the admission 'I know
nothing'.  However from what you say Tom I think you came into IT in the
same era as I did, that being if you didn't know something RTFM was the only
answer you got.  That being the case the older PC users (and I know I am
generalising - I apologise) are usually more adept at resolving problems for
themselves.  I am on IRC quite often (which reminds me doesn't DCLUG operate
a channel?) and it amazes me how many people come into a channel asking
"Does anyone know about X?"  My usual response other than "Look it up you
lazy expletive, you're sat in front of the biggest information resource the
world has ever known!!" is to mutter something about "Mr Google is your
friend".  The current generation of button-pushing users (as distinct from
those who actually use the computer to be productive) seem to have lost the
ability to think for themselves.  I shouldn't really complain since they are
the reason I (currently) have a job.  So there is occasionally an element,
not of elitism as it is sometimes IMHO wrongly categorised, but of
frustration from those who have the drive to find things out for themselves
battling a seemingly uphil endless battle against those who wish to be
spoonfed.

I'm sorry if that last bit seemed to wander off-topic into the mists of
where my brain should be ;)  My point though is that the button pushers
don't seem to *want* to learn anything at all, much less anything new or
anything that might require *gasp* effort.  They want to be shown how to do
everything with Windows, so getting them to make the effort to learn Linux
is (IMHO) unlikely.  They will need a Linux basic install where it is set up
for them and all they need to do is use the applications.  Of course it is
entirely possible that the entire last paragraph is the result of a
disillusioned and jaded mind having been off seven months with stress caused
by the aforementioned "button pushers".  If you feel I have been too harsh,
please do not take offence, maybe in another time I would feel more kindly
disposed to them.

Kind regards,

Julian


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