How would you explain linux to the average joe?

[fanfan1313]

How would you explain linux to the average joe?

I (to my absolute happiness) got my english teacher to let me do an editorial on different os's and I'm completely stuck on how how I would explain what linux is to the average joe. I would define it as a unix based, open source, operating system, developed by people around the world and owned by no one. Most people I know don't know what version of Windows they're running. I don't want you to write the intro for my english paper, but I would really appreciate a few ideas.

Thanks
-FanFan

[cayalee]

thats a bloody good question. id first of all say, linux is what you make it.
its a highly customisable operating system, a little known competitor to MS windows. it can look exaclty like more commonly used OS's or can be something unique to you, for the uses you want it to be used for, usually with no added cost.
it comes in all shapes and sizes and caters for many peoples needs, from the uber programmer to the basic desktop user. as you say its owned by no-one but free to everyone (in some form or another), and should be considered by all as a serious alternative to other operating systems, propreitary and FOSS.

[TomX]

To friends who ask why my computer looks different I just say it's a different type of Windows... bad I know... it's usually the only way.

[chopin1810]

I don't explain Linux to "average joe" type people... It's a dangerous thing to tell people how much better it is than Windows when hardware detection, especially dialup modem and sound card detection is still sub-par... I'll probably start in two years or so when everything can finally be detected, we just need to give the community a little more time... guys, okay, setting up hardware that isn't automatically detected is really easy in Ubuntu, SUSE, etc, but do you really think Winblows Microserfs are going to be able to figure that out?? No, if we want to win the mind of the average Microserf we're going to have to BLOW THEM AWAY with KICK-ASS hardware detection... and Linux just isn't there yet... in 70% of distros I try I get a "/dev/dsp: does not exist" (it's a sound card error). Sure, it's easy to fix, but a Windows user will look at that and give up... and never try Linux again... first impressions mean a lot... it's sad but true...

[fanfan1313]

Wow, thanks a lot cayalee, you just gave me a ton of ideas for my paper! I really couldn't define it any better.

chopin1810- I see your point, I think at the end of my paper I may suggest using windows, unless you use your computer for simple net surfing, maybe reccomend SuSE, it got my wireless card to work without any configuration! That's amazing! I believe hardware detection is OK in many distros.

tomx- I feel your pain

Thanks a lot!
-FanFan

[aysiu]

No, if we want to win the mind of the average Microserf we're going to have to BLOW THEM AWAY with KICK-ASS hardware detection... and Linux just isn't there yet... in 70% of distros I try I get a "/dev/dsp: does not exist" (it's a sound card error). Sure, it's easy to fix, but a Windows user will look at that and give up... and never try Linux again... first impressions mean a lot... it's sad but true...

In other words, Windows users don't have to install Windows from scratch (and figure out and track down all the appropriate drivers), but they almost always have to install Linux.

[chopin1810]

In other words, Windows users don't have to install Windows from scratch (and figure out and track down all the appropriate drivers), but they almost always have to install Linux.

Yes, and winning over the masses will require Linux to be preloaded. It's getting there very well actually, I know Mandriva got a new deal with HP systems in South America, and it's happening all the time with SUSE, Xandros, Linspire, and the like. Given the economical status of the continent I'd expect them to buy it just because it's gonna be cheaper and they aren't being raped every second by Windows commercials. And sysadmins commonly buy RedHat Enterprise preloaded on high-end workstations from EVERY OEM IMAGINABLE.
On that note I'd expect the rest of the world to be way ahead of the US regarding Linux just because Microsoft finds America to be a libertarian haven. Asia runs all of their federal computers on Linux; I know in Korea OpenOffice is the only office suite people can really use given that they don't import Microsoft Office. Africa and South America will be so used to Linux given all of the ventures there now that they won't want to use Windows when their economies become viable for commercialism.

[d38dm8nw81k1ng]

I don't explain Linux to "average joe" type people... It's a dangerous thing to tell people how much better it is than Windows when hardware detection, especially dialup modem and sound card detection is still sub-par... I'll probably start in two years or so when everything can finally be detected, we just need to give the community a little more time... guys, okay, setting up hardware that isn't automatically detected is really easy in Ubuntu, SUSE, etc, but do you really think Winblows Microserfs are going to be able to figure that out?? No, if we want to win the mind of the average Microserf we're going to have to BLOW THEM AWAY with KICK-ASS hardware detection... and Linux just isn't there yet... in 70% of distros I try I get a "/dev/dsp: does not exist" (it's a sound card error). Sure, it's easy to fix, but a Windows user will look at that and give up... and never try Linux again... first impressions mean a lot... it's sad but true...

i'd like to argue your point by saying that suse works better on my laptop than windows ever did. and i hadn't even configured it! take for example the battery conservation software. suse just works. in windows you have to have admin privelages to get it to work. they say windows is more secure when you don't run as admin, but if the software that came with your laptop requires admin privelages, what hope do they have of people running as a normal user? [/RANT]

anyway, on topic, do you have to give a talk? or just hand in a paper? if you just have to hand in a paper, you can get more in depth and show off your knowledge. sod the average joe.