[svlug] Re: Ammunition for Linux Advocacy on the Desktop

[Erik Fears]

> Actually, I have, and she liked it. Ease of use is simply a matter of 
> training. To a person who has yet to see a "desktop," bringing them to 
> Linux (in its current state, with distributions meant for the ease of 
> use or universal appeal) or Windows and having them learn it would take 
> aproximately the same amount of time to do the same things. She had 
> never really used a computer before and once I taught her "click click." 
> she was ready to go. What's best, she could totally ruin her home 
> directory, and fixing it was simply a matter of saving "important files" 
> (if any), removing the directory, and starting all over
> 
> On a personal note, I also think that a person using Linux as their 
> first OS would also be prone to a more relaxed and enjoyable frame of 
> mind when it comes to computers. ;-)
>

That's one case. I still disagree. Until linux can fully compete with
the integration of windows (gaming?), it will never survive fully in
the desktop world.

Some people don't want to master their computer. If we give a clueless
someone a kde desktop with a browser, sure they can browse the web. They
will have a hard time installing and managing their applications though.

windows: insert CD, autorun brings up the installation window, you select
directory to install

linux: ... 

I'm all for linux in the desktop world, but we're far from windows and
apple in productivity.

-Erik