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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 Winchurst
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