Re: Fax programs! help please. (fwd)
On Tue, 14 Jan 1997 edwalter@students.wisc.edu wrote:
> I have felt for some time that a lot of people are
> getting the wrong idea about Linux. I don't think linux is intended
> to be a suitable replacement OS for "computer illiterates" and other
> people who want to put no work into their system, and I hope linux
> developers are not trying to make it that.
I want to add some comments to this. First, you have some very good points.
To try and make this OS usable for "computer illiterates" (which is, face
it, a polite term for "moron") to install and self-maintain will not work.
No matter how easy it ever gets to install and/or upgrade Linux, I think
there is one basic requisite all users must have: the desire to learn. Not
that I think it's too terribly difficult, but learning to be a sysadmin
takes time and is definitely out of the scope of "casual" computer users.
This "casual" computer user doesn't want to have to think while using a
computer -- they want the software to be so transparent that its use is
immediately second nature. (Quick aside: isn't is wonderful how far the free
software movement has come in the past 5 or so years where now we're
actually discussing these kind of issues?) It's these kind of users who
install Win95 without question (the mis people who worship it should know
better, but alas). Not that I think Win95 and its ilk are "easy." They give
the illusion of ease of use, but they're inefficient, unstable, etc etc. And
I've seen more than one computer newbie struggling to use it. It's time for
a new interface -- X is nice but it's not the be-all end-all, either. One
program that's a new interface in itself is Wily. But we could use a
completely new interface for general computing that would pass Ted Nelson's
"ten minutes to learn" test (his _Dream Machines_ has some great ideas in
this regard) and not be another regurgitation of the window paradigm. But
anyway, no matter what the tool, it takes time to master. Or to just use
with mediocrity, even.
I do believe that great opportunities are being opened up for free software
consultants who can provide and install these systems to small business.
A Linux/GNU system can be a powerful tool for a small business, providing
great software that would normally be out of their price range. But in most
cases they will still need someone else to come in (dial in?) to administer
the system. Again, an opportunity for consultants.
Michael Stutz | DESIGN SCIENCE LABS
http://dsl.org/m | Hypermedia, Internet,
Linux/GNU bumper stickers,indie rock,rants | Linux: http://dsl.org
--
TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS MAILING LIST: e-mail the word "unsubscribe" to
debian-user-REQUEST@lists.debian.org . Trouble? e-mail to Bruce@Pixar.com
Reply to: