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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Neil Williams wrote: > On Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:17:00 +0000 > John Hansen <whitover@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > >>> Linux has so many versions (distros). Distrowatch lists 100 and >>> there are more. To us that may seem like a strength but actually it >>> is a weakness. > > No, it is a strength and the comparison with Windows is false. There > are multiple "castes" of each flavour of Windows, > >>> For most people Windows has just three choices, XP, >>> Vista and now Windows 7. That is already more than enough to worry >>> about. Even when I said that there were perhaps about 20 strong >>> contenders that was still scary. > > Can't have it both ways - you want a system that is easy for newcomers > but other users need to have the absolute power and flexibility to do > clever things with servers for the cloud or tiny embedded devices. > GNU/Linux does that, Windows does not. > >>> Most Windows users acquire their computer with the OS already >>> installed. > > Which is the primary source of all subsequent problems. > >>> Learning about a different layout for files and folders on the hard >>> disk. Again, they all looked a bit worried and puzzled. The main >>> question was why? > > Because that is how GNU/Linux delivers the improvements that users > want. The Windows model is not a good one. An imposed monopoly is not > necessarily a result of a good process, merely the result of the > monopolistic approach. > >>> The user system was again a big problem. Learning about root, users >>> and their passwords, groups, the home folder etc. Wow. Scary again. > > Benefits. > > There is no need for GNU/Linux to be useful to every possible user - > Windows is not. GNU/Linux isn't targetting a monopoly. > >>> Installing new packages. Well on Windows, I think, you either >>> download the exe file and double click on it or put the relevant >>> CD/DVD in the drive, wait for the install button to appear and >>> click on it. > > And that's a good thing??? > > It's not a good idea for users to download random rubbish from the > internet and be able to execute it on their own system! > > Security is the enemy of convenience and if we are still pushing > GNU/Linux as more secure than Windows, we undermine the entire push by > driving for more convenience. > >>> On Linux I could have mentioned apt-get, synaptic, >>> adept, deb files, repositories, RPM files, dependencies, well you >>> get the idea. > > Yes, and it is a good one. > >>> Need for an incentive to move. > > Not everyone has one. Not everyone needs one. Not everyone can be > persuaded. And all of those are GOOD things. > >>> Much help and hand holding required. > > As there would be if Windows was not pre-installed. > >> I think you hit the nail on the head! There are far too many options >> and the file system leaves me cold. > > It serves others very well. > >> I like my A,B,C,D,E,F drives! Why OH why does Linux need to make >> every thing so complicated? what happens when you reach Z i think with linux hda1 can go beyond hda27 if need be, but these are usually mounted in logical places so /media/cdrom for example. I have had windows get really confused with drive letters, plug in a usb hub you get 4 drives appear in my computer, then you get your cdrom drive c: harddisk d,e,f,g flash drive thingy h - cdrom now install from H, unplug the flash drive hub thingy and try and run a game it gets totally mixed up and can't find the cd. I stick to what works, may have a learning curve but its logical, and well documented. as to how it works, and what it should do. paul > > Because that is the source of the power that you seek to espouse. > > - -- Paul Sutton www.zleap.net Ubuntu 9.10 is out : Visit www.ubuntu.com for details DCGLUG MEETINGS - Details on www.dcglug.org.uk/drupal6, - please click on Group meetings link on right hand side Aged 11 - 19 then dfey may be for you, please goto http://www.dfey.org for more details -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAktWEIIACgkQaggq1k2FJq2nsQCcCScEc6wzi7cLgCFkxMa2DG+W EEUAn2+xul6BeQkJnJJozkJmA5P+CnKY =1hSC -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html