TOUCHY SUBJECT........The Problem with Linux

[ExWindowsUser]

As an Ex windows user I wanted a simple and easy to use operating system into which I could easily transfer from Windows. Unfortunately this was not the case. Installing programs is a huge bother when you are used to just 'double click n go', all Installation manuals are full of Jargon and abbreviated words, Trying to simple things like listen to MP3 music was not available and hard to configure, and if you tried to install a program it had about 20 dependencies.

As an Ex Windows user wanting to dispose of the old, tired, holey, virus bitten and spy ware filled Microsoft piece of rubbish, how was I to feel and the many other hundreds like me who just wanted a Linux system, without all the hassles of a Linux system. A windows user does not want to have to do any Coding, does not want to do everything by trial and error.

This is the chance for Linux users, as the new Microsoft Vista looms, is Linux going to keep going down the road it has been traveling? Or is Linux going to step up to the Vista standard and be ready to be a perfect alternative for those Windows users who don't want to fork out that $300.00 (or whatever is is worth).

At the moment Linux IS NOT easy to use, and does not offer that tight integration that Microsoft Windows does.

[St. Joe]

Installing programs is a huge bother when you are used to just 'double click n go', all Installation manuals are full of Jargon and abbreviated words, Trying to simple things like listen to MP3 music was not available and hard to configure, and if you tried to install a program it had about 20 dependencies.

Actually, installing applications in Linux can be far easier than in Windows. For example, I am typing this from my Debian box and from here I can open Synaptic which gives me immediate access to over 20,000 packages. Everything is located in centralized software repositories. I only need to check anything I want and it is installed to my machine with all the needed libraries. It could not possibly be any easier.

When I want more info on a program I just access the man pages and it provides an easy guide for managing and configuring an application. The problem is that most people won't bother with making the effort to perform this simple function.

Compare this to Windows where I have to hunt and gather programs from various websites, download them individually and then install locally by finding and executing the install file. Also, there is often no help file available locally and so this must be found elsewhere, if it even exists at all. This is far more difficult and time consuming.

[Roxoff]

I think you've missed an option off your poll, one that reads:

"Linux should stay as it is, and remain available to everyone"

Windows treats you like a child, hides the complexity of the system from you and prevents you changing stuff so you cant break things (but the irony is that you can still break things).

Linux treats you like an adult, it expects you to learn about the system, about how things work so that not only do you understand that what you're doing might break the system, but you know what you've done and you can fix it.

This is an ideological issue. The crux of the matter is that Linux treats you like a grown-up and Windows treats you like a child. Threadlock here we come...

[cousinlucky]

Before my Suse Linux 10 OS I only knew of windows and the suffering using it on the Internet brought to me. Linux may seem easy to folks who know and understand computers but to me, and others like me, Linux can look like an unclimbable mountain. I have just gotten around to trying to use the Konqueror browser and I like it. New and different is fun for youngsters but for old people like me it is very intimidating. Linux, I guess, must be learned and gotten used to as every individual sees fit.

[ExWindowsUser]

Actually, installing applications in Linux can be far easier than in Windows. For example, I am typing this from my Debian box and from here I can open Synaptic which gives me immediate access to over 20,000 packages. Everything is located in centralized software repositories. I only need to check anything I want and it is installed to my machine with all the needed libraries. It could not possibly be any easier.

Ok, I understand where you are coming from, being a Linux user myself now, but for windows users it is "like an unclimbable mountain"

Linux may seem easy to folks who know and understand computers but to me, and others like me, Linux can look like an unclimbable mountain.

And Roxoff I fully understand where your coming from, but I am looking from the point of view that in order to build the Linux community more and see Linux actually rival Microsoft Windows, something needs to be done. Linux must cater for the 'children', how else will we grow?

[gaz_dc]

ExWindowsUser, please read

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/t50...explained.html

[ExWindowsUser]

wow....im an idiot...thanks for that piece of info, it just changed the way I look at a computer and Operating systems.

I take back everything I said above.

Please forgive me

Thanks