RE: Linux on the desktop viewed as from Joe Winuser

> annleblanc.com] En nombre de Alex Butcher
> Enviado el: jueves, 18 de diciembre de 2003 17:25
> Para: Seeking Linux annoyances for a book.
> Asunto: Re: [Annoyances] Linux on the desktop viewed as from Joe Winuser
> 
[snip]
> 
> General-purpose computers (as opposed to fixed-purpose "Information
> Toasters" or centrally-administered workstations) for non-technical users
> are a dumb idea. I hope they die soon, in favour of the two alternatives I
> just mentioned.
> 
> General-purpose computers, whether they're running Linux, Windows, or even
> MacOS, are only really suitable for hobbyists and technical users. Forcing
> non-technical users to use them is cruel and unusual punishment. Look upon
> them as the early motor cars. Look at today's cars and public transport
> and
> see how little technical knowledge they require of their users. The
> closest
> equivalents to those are "information toasters" and centrally-administered
> workstations respectively. The good news is, that Linux (or BSD) makes a
> good basis for technical users to develop such devices for their users
> (for
> proof, see the TiVo PVR and Sharp Zaurus PDA - running Linux and sold on
> the
> high street, but the non-technical user wouldn't even guess at that fact!)
> 
[PV] Alex, that's a pretty strong point and probably worthy a whole
discussion. I believe we've been going backwards in user friendliness for
some years. My mum (who is in her sixties) used to be very happy with her
Mac SE, which she learned to use in a couple of days (no more than her first
microwave owen). Today's general purpose computers may go too far in
"generality", but I'm sure she would find an information toaster not suited
for her needs and centrally-administered-workstation today means Pablito
(me) gets a call from mum and goes there to fix or teach something. I'm
probably trying a Linux installation with her one of these days (once I
finally choose the right distro/install who will fit more or less all of my
customers AND big family) and will see, but I have not much hope in that it
will be any easier for her. Nothing to do with the old Mac days, anyway.
(That Mac at the time was hated by many computer geeks for being too closed
and too restrictive for them, but Joes of the world fancied it a lot).

Pablo