Star Desktop Linux for the Home: How and Why?
Linked by John Munsch on Mon 30th Dec 2002 19:05 UTC
Linux Why do it? I am asked this question more often than I expected, even by existing Linux users who I expected to know as well as I the reasons for building a next-generation desktop Linux for the home user. So here are some of my reasons for thinking that we must spend the effort to create a better desktop on Linux than any existing version now has. Editor's Note: Due to a technical glitch, the first segment of this article was ommitted for some readers. If you missed the "why" section, before, you can read it now.
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Re: Universal Stupification
by FH on Mon 30th Dec 2002 22:40 UTC

>>The user should not be expected to use it without a little knowledge and intellegence.<<
>>Let the user learn. Make the user learn. He will be happier and more productive in the end.<<

Yes, BUT thanks to the widespread adoption of the web - the PC is increasing viewed as just another entertainment device - like a DVD player. It SHOULD be easy to use for those who NEED it to be. Most people do not want to learn about the inner workings of their computer, and truthfully they don't care.


>>You don't expect anyone to be able to drive a car with no training, nor do you want to elimitate all but one or two kinds of cars so that people will not be confused by the choice. Why then do you do this with computers, which are much more complex than cars?<<

Actually, yes we do, at least with very little training. The only thing we expect someone to do when driving a car is to drive it, fill it with gas, and maybe change the oil. Everything else is handled for them. Tell me, do you know how to manufacture gasoline or refine oil? No? How about replacing your transmission, or replacing pistons in your engine? Using some Linux programs, if you don't know exactly what you are doing, is like manufacturing gasoline or replacing a transmission. While this has gotten better in recent years - there is still a long way to go.