Linux advocates hoping to convert Windows users to the open source operating system are more likely to succeed with technophobes and very inexperienced computer users than with Windows power users.Linux developers have used commercial versions of Linux more than non-commercial versions in the past, in 2003 the preference for a commercial version of Linux was double that of non-commercial Linux, but, according to Evans Data Corporation’s new Spring 2005 Linux Development Survey, that has now changed and Linux developers now prefer non-commercial versions of Linux.
Novice PC users more likely to embrace Linux
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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Linux is similar to a weed in the garden of MS, growing despite the efforts of industry to suppress it.
Advances in both KDE and Gnome on newer machines as well as ease of use for Fluxbox and Xfce for older machines has helped “granny” catch on with help from her tech friendly relatives.
Plus, Free is tough to beat just ask the folks at Ubuntu..
MrX
Does this mean 2005 is actually, really, truely, going to be “The Year of Linux”?, like 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were?
(Yeah I know I’m asking for it, but it had to be said
)
Technophobes will embrace new things and novice users won’t particularly care, as for all they know they’re using a computer. Novise users, quite frankly, don’t care.
Windows power users (well, they’re not really but they think they are) think that the world revolves around Windows and you simply cannot possibly have another OS or Office suite. It’s inconceivable. Basically you’ve just got to ignore them and tell them the way things are going to be.
Plus, Free is tough to beat just ask the folks at Ubuntu..
Yes, but how long can Canonical continue to really back that? We’ve had this many times over the past few years. Mark Shuttleworth’s pockets are not bottomless.
Sensible funding for open source software is still some way off.
Does this mean 2005 is actually, really, truely, going to be “The Year of Linux”?, like 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000 were?
In a word – no (I’m assuming you mean the year of desktop linux). However, that depends on how you choose to define the year of the desktop and what benchmarks you have to measure that by.
Its the impression Ive had for some time. 99% of the time the reasons people can’t or prefer not to try Linux revolve around existing need, investment, or preference for somthing thats only in Windows or only works a certain way in Windows. Its people who make little or no advanced use of computers that always seem to be most receptive to the idea. The admins and power-users arn’t interested in switching to somthing unfamiliar because they loose the power that they’ve invested so much time and work to gain.
Pulling the masses right out from under the Windows admins and power-users is the way forward. They arn’t going to do it themselves.
I imagine that “Novice” means that the user does not know a thing about computers. Which also means that the user will not find it hard to plugin his brand new digital camera and transfer photos to a CD-R or may be to send it to an email.
Do you think that the current Linux desktops will introduce this better than Windows?
Don’t just consider digi cams it was just an example. Take any peripheral device or software like MSN messenger 7 and gaim.
– They can mess around as much as they want and not risk deleting system files, installing viruses, spyware etc.
– They can write down exact CLI commands to type in when they need something particular.
– Linux is predictable, it always works the same way.
– They don’t need to install software and manage registration keys, you can install everything to start with
– If they have a problem, they can ask you to log in remotely and solve it.
But if someone needs graphics or CAD software or Visual Basic custom stuff, or Access, or many of these tools that are essential in an SME, or use a laptop, … your only realistic option is Windows. Sad but true.
Novice users are unbiased by the industry propaganda or user fads, they are open to all possibilities.
I can see a novice using Linux and they will also realize that their is plenty of Windows software everywhere so sure they may start out on Linux but unless they enjoy the CLI they won’t stay on it for long when unfortunately XP offers a better experience on the X86 platform.
Complete novices will eat what you give them. Whether it’s good or not.
Of course there are Windows Power Users. ‘Power users’ are people who do what they want with their computers – be that image processing, massive downloading, massive gaming, massive mail-merging – knowing how to find their way around unpredictability – where other users are usually concerned with uncomplicated tasks that are always the same. There are a *lot* more people like that in Windows than in Unix, and with marketshare considered.
Just knowing the syntax of /etc/crontab isn’t being a ‘power user’.
If one doesn’t have a lot of knowledge of one way of doing things there isn’t anything to relearn and hence it doesn’t seem so hard to technophobes because they don’t need to know how to do x, y, and z whereas a technophobe if they can figure out how to get to the internet and a word processor couldn’t give a care how easy it is to do more advanced tasks because they didn’t know that they existed.
But if someone needs graphics or CAD software or Visual Basic custom stuff, or Access, or many of these tools that are essential in an SME, or use a laptop, … your only realistic option is Windows. Sad but true
CAD -> http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html
Visual Basic -> Python, Perl, Ruby, etc, all much better than VB
Access -> Bleah. Nothing in Linux lands sucks enough to compare with Access.
Laptop -> Fail to see the problem.
Well, I’ll tell you, crontab syntax is not that easy to learn, or remember if not used all the time, thats for sure.
If you can get around CLI in Linux and modify plain text config files and your machine still boots, you are pretty good with Linux, and considered a power user. The average “Joe” will not even want to bother with all that stuff and live in the GUI environment all the time. And, with Linux, they can CHOOSE what is best for them; CLI is an option for them should the opportunity come up. Every config imaginable has a GUI that can configure it. And, it beats the hell out of regedit.
Does the average “Joe” want to rebuild his/her system every time they get a virus; probably not. Most of the time, they don’t even know they are infected, they just keep spreading that virus all over the world. With Linux, this is a non issue…
Today, people are blinded by Windows. Thats all they see or hear about. However, that is all changing. For instance, my kids are getting Linux in school; along with Mac. there isnt even a Windows machines on campus that they have access to; its not a small school either or in a small town. They don’t use MS products at home either; all Linux.
People and times are changing. MS is NOT the end-all-be-all OS anymore (Hasn’t been for years actually). Will Linux take over the Desktop market? Probably not, but it WILL even the playing field thats for sure. I do feel, however, that Linux will take over the Server market; and soon…
QCad != AutoCAD, the industry standard
Python, Perl, Ruby, etc. = How can you even compare these to VB? Have you ever USED VB? I really didn’t know that Perl could be used to create GUIs with the clicking and dragging of your mouse.
Access = Nice rebuttal. Unfortunately for you, businesses don’t think like that. Access is here to stay. Does Linux have anything to offer?
Laptop = I guess the fact that Linux can’t properly suspend many laptops isn’t an issue — or the fact that hibernation is still broken alpha code that likes to corrupt your FS occasionally. Yeah, no problems here.
Johnathan … I think part of his point was that the two persons named use both Windows and Linux, but because they primarily use Windows doesn’t NOT make them power users.
Whatever. No one cares. Stick with Linux if you’re happy. To each his own.
Tom,
Great point. To each his/her own. I choose not to use Windows and I choose for my kids to not use Windows (They are still kids :-P).
If you want to use Windows, more power to ya. I gave up trying to convice the world that Windows is evil along time ago. I am happy using Linux as is millions and millions of other people/corporations.
“To Each His/Her Own…”
Laptop = I guess the fact that Linux can’t properly suspend many laptops isn’t an issue
Which distribution are you talking about? Linux is a kernel, you know…
or the fact that hibernation is still broken alpha code that likes to corrupt your FS occasionally. Yeah, no problems here.
Again, some laptop/distro combination work very well, including suspend/hibernate, while other combinations can be problematic. Choose before you buy (which is sensible when considering to buy a laptop). Anyway, these problems should all be solved within the next couple of months.
But, really, what is it to you if people want to use Linux? Why do you feel the need to troll this comment section with your off-topic flamebait? I’ve set up “light” computer users with Linux and they had no trouble at all using it. Can they run AutoCAD on their machines? No. Do they care? Hell no!
You want to get the wintrolls out of the woodwork, just post an article with a positive spin on Linux… (and no, “the other guys do it too” is not an excuse)
…
Whatever. No one cares. Stick with Linux if you’re happy. To each his own.
I will.
All the OS zealotry and bigotry is a fat load. Mac OS X and Windows and Linux and even Solaris all have their places in the corporate and public world.
1) People are too focused on the desktop. If and when MS ticks enough hw makers off that they start looking for cheaper alternatives then you will linux on the desktop take off and only then. People who are normal users 99% of the time use the OS that came with their computer. Hell, most of them don’t even upgrade the OS until its time to buy a new one.
2) People lose focus of the non-enterprise, non-desktop niche where linux has always worked best. Same basic niche as BSD too folks. Small inexpensive *Nix server. Its not a bad niche at all. You can run apache, samba, Bind, ProFTpd, MySQL, Postgres, ftp, sftp, Sendmail and a host of other *Nix style services on a cheap x86 box. That is what people inherently liked about linux. It is just nuts to buy a ton of sun servers to run apache anymore. Its crazy. There is no need to spend that kind of money.
MS is good for the desktop and proprietary business application serving. No doubt.
There are still some big enterprise apps where Sun and Solaris are better supported by the vendor that linux.
Mac OS X is a great kick in the pants that in my opinion pushes both linux and Windows to excel in new and better ways.
How can you even compare these to VB? Have you ever USED VB? I really didn’t know that Perl could be used to create GUIs with the clicking and dragging of your mouse.
Apparently you haven’t heard of Tcl/Tk extensions.
Yes, I’ve used VB. Hate it.
Potential novices probably outnumber power users 100:1 globally. Most of the world has very basic computing needs. The ability for someone in an underdeveloped country to send an email, type a letter or loook up something on google is all they need.
The idea that everyone ‘needs’ the ability to edit digital photos etc is nothing but arrogance. This is the same attitude that has virtually destroyed the US carmakers. Most people don’t need (or want) SUVs, Autocad or UT3.
Visual Basic -> Python, Perl, Ruby, etc, all much better than VB
There are also VB like apps, one of the best is Realbasic, but there are also free alternatives.
Access -> Bleah. Nothing in Linux lands sucks enough to compare with Access.
No not yet, but there will be, in the soon to be released, OpenOffice.org 2.0. It basically consists of the hsql database with an easy to use GUI userinterface.
I have a question. Why convert someone if the obvious choice for them is to use Windows? If Windows fits their needs better than Linux, then have them stay with Windows. Switching people away in this situation is just letting blind zealotry (kindof resembles pushing religion onto poeple…) get in the way of whats best for the user. I’ve suggest Linux or Mac OS to a few people, but for most of them I suggest they stay with Windows. Sure it may not be perfect, but after installing SP2 and Firefox on many a machine, I have noticed issues with Windows are nearly non existent. The little problems these people have with Windows are nothing compared to the problems they could have if somoene pushes an OS down their throat that just doesnt fit their needs.
Even funnier is that the loudest linux zealots aren’t even power users. They’re just kiddies who think they are cool because they popped in a LiveCD. Real power users get things done and don’t care about zealot GNU religion.
By Marty (IP: 82.96.100.—) – Posted on 2005-04-14 02:50:28
Even funnier is that the loudest linux zealots aren’t even power users. They’re just kiddies who think they are cool because they popped in a LiveCD. Real power users get things done and don’t care about zealot GNU religion.
I do my work and have done my work on linux for the last 4 years of my professional life.
I am a unix sysadmin and I know a lot of sysadmins, network admins and programmers who get their work done on linux every day.
Thanks for projecting that pristine image of Windows fanatic out as you bust on linux zealots. I hollows out your arguement as effectively as anything else.
Screw religion most of the folks using linux use the restricted modules and even commercial software when needed. It is about the best tool for the job and for me linux is it.
Its not best for you? Great. Get over it. Relish in your windows and be done with it.
There are far more important things to be religious about.
Just to add fuel to the fire, gambas works as well as vb in many cases.
this having been said, i use java 99% of the time.
I have a question. Why convert someone if the obvious choice for them is to use Windows?
Converting is a matter of choice, it can’t be forced down your throat. There’s nothing wrong in promoting any of these choices, including Linux.
If Windows fits their needs better than Linux, then have them stay with Windows.
What you fail to consider is that for a large proportion of “casual” PC users, Linux may fit their need just as well as Windows, with added security.
Well, my mum & dad use GNU/Linux and find it very simple (I set up everything they need). My brother however who is much more knowledgeable won’t move to GNU/Linux even if I set it up for him. I have offered a million times.
a set up Linux box is much better for novices – ease of use, no virus problems etc. They need never worry about screwing up their system. (Well, novices never worry about screwing their system – they just do it).
Windows users have heard so much FUD about linux that they won’t even let it touch their machines.
By Nii (IP: —.net.ie.niigata-u.ac.jp) – Posted on 2005-04-14 06:02:24
Well, my mum & dad use GNU/Linux and find it very simple (I set up everything they need). My brother however who is much more knowledgeable won’t move to GNU/Linux even if I set it up for him. I have offered a million times.
My wife uses linux and has no problems because I already spent the time putting together her desktop and such.
Now if hw vendor A put as much time as I did in throwing together a sane desktop for the user. And shipped the machine like that by default and found a way to do without getting sued for the libdvdcss and mp3 stuff and the other stuff I include to have a functional user desktop then that would be grand.
But that is not going to happen on a large scale in the U.S.A at least.
I have used computers for 17 years. I have used Amigas, DOS, Windows, Solaris, SGI and Linux. I’ve done everything from playing games to programming software and can do mostly anything I want.
Guess I’m not a power user because I prefer Windows XP as my main desktop.
I totally agree, as a Windows Power User I have already invested a lot of time learning how Windows works and I know exactly how to achieve whatever I want to do without the operating system getting in the way.
When I use another operating system, as enjoyable as it is to mess around and explore, I really can’t get much work done because of my (relative) lack of experience. To know as much about Linux as I do about Windows would take me years, which would prevent me from being as productive as I could be.
Sadly for me, Linux has a long way to go before I could consider it a suitable alternative for me. But it’s nice to know that there is some healthy competition out there, which can only be good for Windows users like myself.
If one doesn’t have a lot of knowledge of one way of doing things there isn’t anything to relearn and hence it doesn’t seem so hard to technophobes because they don’t need to know how to do x, y, and z whereas a technophobe if they can figure out how to get to the internet and a word processor couldn’t give a care how easy it is to do more advanced tasks because they didn’t know that they existed.
Exactly. This is the basic premise that confirms the synopsis of the article to be semi-truthful.
Just wait till [insert elderly or technophobic relative] tries to install a game they were bought for Christmas. Or tries to install a screensaver of their favourite wildlife program from the BBC website.
You can dress it up as you like, but 85% of the world will still be against them.
It’s like putting blinkers on people. If they see Windows, they’ll want it, and the Linux zealots can’t have that.
Tragic, really. Sacrificing efficiency for synthetic morals are something these people do on a daily basis.
That alone doesnt prove much at all except perhaps that they know someone who pimps GNU/Linux and is willing to help them with it.
I think a previous comment about using the ease at which one can leave specific instructions to do something is a very valid one.
In a command line environment you can write down letter for letter the precise commands to do something, in a gui environment its somewhat more tricky – often ending up very verbose and using plenty of screenshots.
I’d much rather instruct someone who had never used a computer before on how to install mozilla in Debian then Windows
Package management IMO would be far easier for a newbie to deal with in Debian then Windows. All one would have to do is teach them how to use aptitude
. (As opposed to Windows where not only would they have to be nifty at knowing where to find things, they’d also have to know about/howto_use virus/trojan/spyware scanners too.)
Random comment: I’ve noticed the programs in my course work all have Linux versions:
Matlab
Mathematica
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire
QCad != AutoCAD, the industry standard
Python, Perl, Ruby, etc. = How can you even compare these to VB? Have you ever USED VB? I really didn’t know that Perl could be used to create GUIs with the clicking and dragging of your mouse.
Access = Nice rebuttal. Unfortunately for you, businesses don’t think like that. Access is here to stay. Does Linux have anything to offer?
Laptop = I guess the fact that Linux can’t properly suspend many laptops isn’t an issue — or the fact that hibernation is still broken alpha code that likes to corrupt your FS occasionally. Yeah, no problems here.
i’m a dorky linux loving advocate, but I see your point. I use a lot of software at work that ONLY comes as a windows version (RS-Logix, GX-Developer, DirectSoft, Factory Floor), and am forced to know VB and AutoCad (despite my distaste for both), because that’s what corporate America has decided to use.
it frustrates me to no end… especially when I have to use an access database. what a turd those things are.
” … where not only would they have to be nifty at knowing where to find things …”
In my experience, new users, and many long-term users) do not understand anything about directory/folder/file structures. They think the computer can find everything.
A lot of problems would be solved if people understood how a computer stores their stuff.
This applies to all systems, *nix. Mac, Windows, all of them.
Sad but very true. I tried to explain the hierarchical directory structure a few times, but some people don’t get it. Mac OS X understands that and makes easy assumptions about where to store files (documents, music, pictures, and so on), but I hate the column view of Finder – I’m addicted to the three view.
Basically, any OS targeted towards novice users must make it very easy to store, find and manage files, even the Mac is not easy enough for some users…
…the question is ‘are novice users actually worth targetting?’.
As you can tell from my other posts, I’m not a Linux advocate. I like the idea of OSS and alternatives to Windows (I like Windows, so I use it) but that doesn’t mean I have to like the OSS that’s currently available. Anyway, my story aside…
My point is– Why are people so hell-bent on getting novices to use Linux? It’s not as if they’re going to learn to code C++ straight away, or contribute to mailing lists for usability, features or bugfix related comments. Those sort of people (your grandma, parents or completely untechy friends) aren’t into doing that. They don’t understand why it needs to be done and more importantly aren’t (and I firmly believe they never will be) willing to learn.
Other than friend/family ties, what is the big deal?
I must say that after downloading Haory Hedgehog and installing it in a VM (and that went swimmingly well!), I am most impressed, This thing actually looks usable! There’s no major clutter, the GUI is only slightly inconsitent in minor things (that most wouldn’t notice anyway) and for Internet and e-mail this is a most capable system.
However to get any more out of it, Linux geekery does tend to get in the way, but thankfully not nearly as bad the god-awful KDE. I had to install some drivers that came as a pearl script, this time it asked me if I wanted to execute it or read it’s contents, most handy – instead of KDE just opening the pearl script and doing nothing. In KDE I had to run a terminal (and note that I’m a total Linux novice here), use CD and DIR commands to get to the folder and execute the script. You reckon my Mum could do that?
Linux still needs simplification and GUI prompts to replace some CLI stuff. But otherwise Hoary is the most promising thing I’ve seen thus far, my Mum could definitely use this for e-mail / web.
Here in Brazil, the Federal Government has presented a new program called “PC Conectado” that will provide tax redutions to make possible to low profit families buy your first computer (running Linux) for US$400 with a nice configuration and low cost internet connection.
All low profit brazilian newbies will receive trainings at “tele-centros” that are linux based cyber-cafes were internet access and classes are given for free.
There is a massive migration at federal and regional governments, private industries, commerce and educational institutions are doing the same. Youngs that are beggining to work with computers knows that will be much more chances if they learn linux and open source software.
Here in Brazil proprietary software is used on government and public institutions only if there is no choice or equivalent open source software. Our children are learning to use a computer using free software. Our culture ministry, Gilberto Gil that is a great musician had opened all your work under Creative Commons licensing, and has promoted a national open source game design contest. All this to make open source and free knowledge access possible.
QCad != AutoCAD, the industry standard
Yep and so what? If you are going to migrate the typical trade off is having to find alternatives to the apps you already use.
Python, Perl, Ruby, etc. = How can you even compare these to VB? Have you ever USED VB? I really didn’t know that Perl could be used to create GUIs with the clicking and dragging of your mouse.
I have used VB and its a pain in the ass. There are guis from everything from perl-gtk to python-gtk and before that folks used tcl/tk.
You got a gui for creating guis. There are such tools for phython-gtk and tcl/tk and a number of other scripting guis.
You like VB? Fine. But to measure the worth of a language by whether or not you can click and drag to create guis is a pretty silly way of looking at a language’s worth.
Access = Nice rebuttal. Unfortunately for you, businesses don’t think like that. Access is here to stay. Does Linux have anything to offer?
MS Access from Linux:
http://channels.lockergnome.com/web/archives/20040805_ms_access_fro…
But once again if your a company looking to migrate from Windows to linux you have to at least consider in the long term a migration to Postgres or MySql and both have a number of nice gui config tools available.
Laptop = I guess the fact that Linux can’t properly suspend many laptops isn’t an issue — or the fact that hibernation is still broken alpha code that likes to corrupt your FS occasionally. Yeah, no problems here.
Gosh one would think that if you are buying a laptop and considering running an alternative (Yes its still an alternative OS until you get vendor support) OS like linux one might actually go out and check to see if the laptop is supported.
linux laptops search in google anyone?
Suspend and hibernation work on my boxes. Why? Because I checked.
Lets face it this is all pretty well beside the point any damn way until hardware vendors get ticked off enough to look for an alternative to XP and start to bundle the OS.
Not only that but the real place for expansion for linux is continuing to grow the small server market and on top of that expand onto the dekstop in the corporate environment where Unix workstations and Exceed already exist. Quite frankly, I like linux but the hype has to die let Novell live a couple of years with their almost complete move to linux on the desktop and learn from that.
I don’t give a flat damn if someone’s grandma can run linux.
I am crusty old sysadmin who justs wants an *Nix-like OS that can still play movies in the browser and my music for when I chill. That get my mail of that Exchange server at work. That is what linux does for me.
There’s existing access alternatives for Linux, which are actually, quite better from what I understand. I saw two at Linux world, one of which a representative said “Well we think it’s better” when I asked him “So it’s like Access?” — Can’t recall the name for the life of me, but the disk is hanging around somewhere.
Does that make me Tri-operational?
…or just confused?
I don’t give a flat damn if someone’s grandma can run linux.
This is the first piece of sense I’ve seen in this ‘thread’. Someone who actually took a step back and analysed the situation without resorting to zealotry.
“When one only needs a browser and e-mail program on their computer, the operating system doesn’t matter. Breaking the desktop application paradigm is going to be a very big thing. If companies can migrate their applications over to Web services then the desktop becomes irrelevant. All users will need to know is how to launch a browser,” said Oxer.
So how excaclty are those web base applications going to work on Linux when they require ActiveX?
All I can say is that both my 8 year old niece and my 62 year old grandmother are using Linux. Both learned to use Linux in a couple days including downloading, compiling, and installing new software. Both love it and my little niece is one the best way to become a power user.
Once hw/sw makers embrace linux then linux will be an alternative for me. But they have to step up to the plate and not wait for linux endusers to come to them. That’s a good catch-22 and very risky for new linux companies. It is because of this nature that I prefer to stay with windows where I’m taken care of.
I work for a non-profit that works with AKLUG the local users group to pass out free computers to families that cannot afford one. I have found the those with no Windows experience are the easiest to get up and running on Linux. These people do not have any preset ideas on how the computer is going to work. You could say that they do not have to unlearn anything before learning to use Linux. I have kept in touch with some of these people – and when they finally come in contact with Windows – they usually express the view that Windows is both hard to use and with an unnatural feel.
So yes – it is easier to get a non-windows person set up and happy with Linux and a Windows user.
Sense…
By P-J (IP: —.plus.com) – Posted on 2005-04-14 14:15:32
I don’t give a flat damn if someone’s grandma can run linux.
This is the first piece of sense I’ve seen in this ‘thread’. Someone who actually took a step back and analysed the situation without resorting to zealotry.
I have never cared for linux taking over the world. After decades we have settled ourselves into thinking about Mac Os as a great niche OS for those who want something different than Windows.
Not necessarily better. Just different.
Why does linux have to take over the world?
Why can’t it continue to progress in usability and features for the command line and the gui while still remaining, for the desktop, that niche OS for those who want something besides Windows on their x86 hardware?
The people I know who use linux are typically tinkerers, *Nix programmers, network admins use to a *Nix way of doing things and like myself sysadmins. A lot of folks doing web work that were exposed to unix on their web servers where their content live as well.
Can I list things that I miss when stuck in Windows about Linux? Sure.
Am I blind to the fact linux has things about it that I wish would be improved? No.
A lot of small shops will never run linux on the desktop. So what? As long as I can run linux as a sysadmin on my desktop its no big deal. Why do some people seem to care so much about what the Project Manager Salesperson two cubes down from them use? I have NO idea. Those same small shops I have seen out in the “wild” beyond zealotry sometimes find if they have IT people that see beyond the one-tier MS world sometimes prefer for a variety of reasons to still run small servers like Apache Web services, Tomcat servers and Bind servers all on linux.
Its a fine profitable niche if you can expand that up to selling services to medium size and larger corporations doing the same thing.
Too much focus on the desktop.
So how excaclty are those web base applications going to work on Linux when they require ActiveX?
More like how to screw customers with applications that use ActiveX which is well known to be trojan, virus, worms magnet.
I got 3 friends who perfectly reflect the three types of users as how I see them, at least when it comes to OS-specific questions:
One of my friends, he’s studying computer science with me – and I think that says it all – is a 100% Linux advocate, he’d *never* install Windows (perhaps only for testing within QEMU or so) and he absolutely loves Linux and the philosophy behind it.
Another of my friends, he’s very addicted to computers and works in the T departement of one of the largest German companies (KarstadtQuelle, for those who care). He is very good in Windows and Windows programming, and he actually likes the idea behind Linux and also installs it from time to time, but he just won’t switch. I’m often arguing with him which OS is the best, and we both have good arguments, but I always win 😉 I think he’s just spent too much time learning Windows to be able to make a complete 180° turnaround towards Linux.
And my third friend, my ex-flatmate, she has really *never* be into computers, never ever used one, never had one, and neither her parents. In the 2 years we shared a flat it happend that she would use my computer – with Gentoo on it – more and more often, writing e-mails, surfing, working in OOo, burning CDs – she was like a little child discovering a whole new technical world. Now that she moved out, she wanted to buy a computer for her own, and when I asked her wether she wants Windows or Linux – guess what. For me this was the final proof that a “OS-virgin” person can be perfectly happy with Linux (KDE to be specific). She found Linux EASY and Windows COMPLICATED, because she has started from scratch with Linux.
Imho, most problems for converters come from the fact that they know Windows – and Linux is just quite different. Saying that “Linux is easy” does not mean that “Linux is like Windows”, it’s different, but easy, TOO.
Tom
Access = Nice rebuttal. Unfortunately for you, businesses don’t think like that. Access is here to stay. Does Linux have anything to offer?
well, let’s see … Harbour, MySQL, PostgreSQL, IngresR3 …
About Access – a lot of experienced Windows techies I’ve met regard Access as something of a Disaster Area waiting to happen. So much the worse for businesses then.
Python, Perl, Ruby, etc. = How can you even compare these to VB? Have you ever USED VB? I really didn’t know that Perl could be used to create GUIs with the clicking and dragging of your mouse.
Gambas, should you be interested enough to find out about it. Of course GUI creation’s part and parcel of Linux IDEs today – I expect that light-weight IDEs are only around the corner.
QCad != AutoCAD, the industry standard
I thought MicroStation was, now. At least, that’s what the University in whose town I live, breathe and have my being, thinks so.
I do some voluntary work in a community centre supervising a cybercafe of sorts. I am a Linux user by choice but the machines there all run MS Win98.
A good many of the people who come in are newbies. A good many of them find MS Windows not exactly “intuitive“. Is that so surprising? A good many motorists don’t find car controls or road rules exactly intuitive either!
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I must be a MS Windows power user – I’ve taken up the sport of registry diving. It’s the only way to get rid of some of the more persistent spyware and viruses. I’ve also taken up learning the Win32 API, because it seems that is the only way to get ahold of the ideas behind MS Windows. I expect I will learn the various Win32 and dotNET assemblers as well, since a lot of MS Win98 is MS DOS and MS DOS is written in assembler.
I, personally, wish Microsoft would let go its inhibitions and release the source code of MS Windows 9x, since it’s not making any money off it anymore, and it’s competing with it as its massive installed base, and it’s such a huge malware magnet as installed, while Microsoft stopping support for it, is leaving it as is where is – whereas if they took on this installed base as independent co-developers, they might actually get some of that malware stopped.
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