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John Hansen wrote:
On 19/01/2010 17:31, Neil Winchurst wrote:There have been several emails about getting more people to move over to Linux. I have recently installed Linux on a laptop for my brother who wanted to try it. I have also talked about the move across to several friends. May I add my two pennyworth? Anyone who has used Windows up to now needs some kind of incentive to try Linux. This could be curiosity, saving costs, security etc. But they also need a lot of help in the early stages. It is no good installing it for them and leaving them to it. They will all too easily give up and go back to the OS they are used to. So, from my experience, what scares and worries Windows users about moving to Linux? There seem to be several things. 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. 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. Most Windows users acquire their computer with the OS already installed. The thought of having to install it was again really scary. Of course, we would not expect anyone to do it the first time without help, but even so ...... And I did not even mention partitions and dual booting. 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? The user system was again a big problem. Learning about root, users and their passwords, groups, the home folder etc. Wow. Scary again. 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. On Linux I could have mentioned apt-get, synaptic, adept, deb files, repositories, RPM files, dependencies, well you get the idea. Conclusions Perhaps I have been talking to the wrong people but here are my suggestions. Need for an incentive to move. Much help and hand holding required. This help will sometimes need to be available for some time. This will all require some organisation and co-ordination. No point in going at it piecemeal or haphazardly. So, a lot of work and planning and preparation I think. Sorry to be so long winded but this is important. We must get it right. If we get it wrong not only will they give up and go back to Windows, they will also tell all their friends!! Any thoughts and comments gratefully received Neil WinchurstNeil,I think you hit the nail on the head! There are far too many options and the file system leaves me cold. I like my A,B,C,D,E,F drives! Why OH why does Linux need to make every thing so complicated?
Why does Windows have to make things so complicated more like?With Windows, now you have all sorts of extra exciting goodies such as being able to mount a partition (or drive) in a folder on your hard drive, or even disregard drive letters completely.
I find the Linux way easier, an icon on your desktop, no faffing about to try and work out what drive is what?
I would have thought the two types of Linux would suffice i.e. Gnome and KDE. the motto being:Gnome and KDE are desktop environments (like the Windows Aero interface or the Mac OS X Aqua interface).KISS (keep it simple stupid).
I won't get started about how Linux is the kernel, I would like to get to bed this evening. :-)
Rob -- 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