Linked by Kevin Russo on Thu 31st Mar 2005 18:40 UTC
I read a lot of reviews comparing GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows, and inevitably the topic of installing software comes up. Most reviews indicate that installing software in Windows is much easier than that of the desktop GNU/Linux world. I decided to do my own comparison based on my desktop usage to see the difference. The following are my results. Those of you that come from the Windows world may be a tad bit surprised at the ease in which software can be installed.
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just some thoughts. i provide phone-based technical support as my job and i'm sorry, but you cannot take for granted that somebody knows how to use a wizard. more often than not, when assisting somebody they'll ask me if they should click Next on the first wizard screen (usually a blank screen). while i am here assisting them and they may feel a bit helpless, these people truly do not know what to do next.
wizards are not very user-friendly. yes, they give us power-users some assistance in deciding options and locations, but they are overly complex with many unnecessary steps/screens.
windows programs are not always consistent regarding shortcut location. while the majority of programs do install correctly to the Programs list, some put themselves in the root of the Programs list, some put themselves under a nested company name folder. i'm sorry, but if a user knows they are installing Mcafee, they are not going to think it is installed under Network Associates unless they know that company. my ubuntu install has always but the programs in the logical location.
as far as rebooting goes. if you install the latest version of Eudora it asks you to reboot. its a mail program! its a bigger issue than you windows fanatics will admit.
-- i use windows, mac, and linux.