Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on September 20, 2003 10:07 PM
'fact: not every user isn't a power user, some users don't want their machines thinking for them and their systems dumbed down.'
Solution: Install Slackware. Shut the hell up.
'fact: the real world is the only world out there, it is complex and contains many different types of real people.'
Good point. There are many more people who use a computer who can barely type than there are power users. You just made his point for him. There *is* a need for a one-size-fits-all business/home distribution, and it will never be exactly what you want it to be, as a power user. That's why there will continue to be 'fringe' systems. We are the minority.
'fact: GNU/Linux works for many real people in the real world in very real situations.'
Yes, generally people who are involved in science, technology, etc. There are exceptions, some people in other professions look on computers as a hobby. Most people don't have the time to familiarize themselves with Linux, or just don't want to. I'm finishing up my Comp Sci degree at a very good US uni, but by comparison my mother is an elementary school teacher, and barely knows how to switch users in Windows XP, she can't personally justify putting the time in to learn, and as IT, you've got to learn to live with that fact.
Think of it this way, if I had to manually boot, start services, edit config files, and write shell scripts for the computer in my CAR, I'd be pretty pissed. Computers are a COMMODITY to most people, not a privilege. If it takes a system that 'thinks for' these people to get GNU/Linux in their hands, GREAT.
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Re:yes, Real World, not Ivory Tower
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on September 20, 2003 10:07 PMnot every user isn't a power user, some users don't want their machines thinking for them and their systems dumbed down.'
Solution: Install Slackware. Shut the hell up.
'fact:
the real world is the only world out there, it is complex and contains many different types of real people.'
Good point. There are many more people who use a computer who can barely type than there are power users. You just made his point for him. There *is* a need for a one-size-fits-all business/home distribution, and it will never be exactly what you want it to be, as a power user. That's why there will continue to be 'fringe' systems. We are the minority.
'fact:
GNU/Linux works for many real people in the real world in very real situations.'
Yes, generally people who are involved in science, technology, etc. There are exceptions, some people in other professions look on computers as a hobby. Most people don't have the time to familiarize themselves with Linux, or just don't want to. I'm finishing up my Comp Sci degree at a very good US uni, but by comparison my mother is an elementary school teacher, and barely knows how to switch users in Windows XP, she can't personally justify putting the time in to learn, and as IT, you've got to learn to live with that fact.
Think of it this way, if I had to manually boot, start services, edit config files, and write shell scripts for the computer in my CAR, I'd be pretty pissed. Computers are a COMMODITY to most people, not a privilege. If it takes a system that 'thinks for' these people to get GNU/Linux in their hands, GREAT.
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