Lies about Linux

[hazel]

Right! I think that's enough lies/myths for one document. Here's the updated version. Don't be misled by the .doc tag; this is abiword's version of .doc which is actually an rtf. In any case .odt and .rtf aren't valid extensions for attachments in this forum.

[bigtomrodney]

Nice work Hazel. Are you writing an article or blog entry around this? It makes good reading for a (potential) new user.

[yanom]

Thanks for the .txt list

[yanom]

10)Installing Linux means running complicated, command-line installation and setup proccesses by hand

[Farmer Mike]

Good list!

I tend to look at #2 from the optimist's viewpoint. Because there's so many distributions, written to many different requirements, somebody's bound to find one that suits them. They can also find a distro that will install on almost any hardware.

[cousinlucky]

Ah computer manuals!! Linux manuals!!

In order for former " windows users, like myself, to be able to comprehend any computer or Linux manual I would need volumes of computer and Linux encyclopedias and reference manuals right beside me.

When a person is taught how to drive a car they become familiar with the gas pedal, the brake pedal, and maybe a clutch and gear shift. They are taught how to steer and eventually parallel park,

During the lessons the new driver will be told about the speedometer, radio, cd player, glove box etc. All of these things are plainly visible inside of the car. A new driver will be told where the gas cap is so the gas tank can be filled with gas.

A novice driver will learn about whats under the hood of a car when something goes wrong and needs fixing. If a rod breaks or a gasket crumbles you have to take the car to a mechanic who knows about the inner workings and parts to your car.

A computer, and its learning curve are quite different. A computer is a box with an on switch, a keyboard, and a mouse. It has various outlets and plugs.

That is all a computer " newbie " sees. Motherboards, operating systems, terminals, viruses, trojans, malware, back doors, networks, modems, etc etc. etc. are not things that can be seen from the outside of a computer. The pictures and diagrams in a computer manual can be quite baffling to someone that just barely understands how electricity works.

Driving and understanding cars is something I grew up with. Before computers were installed in cars I could deal with most car problems. My grandparents knowledge of cars consisted of opening and closing the door and telling the driver the address of where they wanted to go. They had no desire to learn how to drive or own an automobile.

I am extremely grateful that LinuxForum members tolerate my computer illiteracy and the frustration that I caused when I first came to this forum.

What I am attempting to explain here is that knowing Linux is like having a masters degree in computing. The average windows user just entered computer kindergarden and does not understand anything that you are saying.

[hazel]

Nice work Hazel. Are you writing an article or blog entry around this? It makes good reading for a (potential) new user.

Nah! I don't have a blog any more. I used to have a website but I started having authentication problems when I moved to broadband and my emails to my isp never got answered, so I sort of forgot about it. If anyone wants to put this up somewhere, feel free.

[smolloy]

In any case .odt and .rtf aren't valid extensions for attachments in this forum.

Can a mod check to see if that's true, and, if so, can it be changed? Seems kinda weird for a linux forum......

[oz]

Can a mod check to see if that's true, and, if so, can it be changed? Seems kinda weird for a linux forum......

Looks like these are the valid extensions:

Valid file extensions: bmp doc gif jpe jpeg jpg pdf png psd txt zip

Only Core Wizard has the "permissions" required to make that kind of change.