[Cialug] new to this group, and Linux
Theron Conrey
theron at conrey.org
Thu Jun 2 13:26:02 CDT 2005
chris129 at cs.iastate.edu wrote:
>Most people solve your wife's problem by paying a mechanic $60 an hour (even
>though the mechanic only gets maybe $20ish) ;). I'm not suggesting that by any
>stretch though.
>The only thing not elegant about installing Java and flash in a distro by
>default is political; so that's not too big a deal. I'm surprised Mandrake
>doesn't do this actually.
>Maybe we'll see jre and flash autopackages soon!
>
>Quoting Theron Conrey <theron at conrey.org>:
>
>
>
>>I would agree with your first statement slightly revised:
>>
>>I'm correct but that doesn't make it right.
>>
>>My wife cares nought about the OS she only needs to accomplish tasks
>>A,B, and C. She dosen't want nor need to learn anything else. When I
>>buy a standard transmission toyota, I'd like to take the skills I've
>>learned in operating that vehicle and believe that I can use the basics
>>when learning to drive a standard lambourghini. The more different it
>>is, the longer it takes me to learn how to use the car. That dosen't
>>mean that I need to work "under the hood" to get it from point A to
>>point "B". The fact is that the article (as are all good projects)
>>requirement based. if a requirement is to have basic windows users
>>comfortable with the system, the closer it looks to windows the
>>likelyhood of it's success increases. Not saying that it's an ideal
>>solution or an elegant one, just that it's the reality that's upon us.
>>BTW, my wife thinks that if she needs to learn how to change the oil or
>>adjust the timimg of a vehicle to drive, then she'd rather
>>walk.............. It translate = to computers.....
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>chris129 at cs.iastate.edu wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>You're right, but that doesn't make it ok ;).
>>>One: People who believe this should be exposed to the outside world. There
>>>
>>>
>>was
>>
>>
>>>a time when most people thought involuntary-debtless slavery was normal;
>>>
>>>
>>that
>>
>>
>>>never made it optimal, right, ok, truly legal, or anything else. This is
>>>
>>>
>>not
>>
>>
>>>such a big deal, after all it's just a computer not a human; but sometimes
>>>
>>>
>>you
>>
>>
>>>have to make drastic analogies to get people's attention.
>>>My point is that it's very rude to come to someone and say: "Your product
>>>
>>>
>>or
>>
>>
>>>tool of choice is not good because it doesn't behave like the other
>>>
>>>
>>product."
>>
>>
>>>Like telling someone their Lambourghini is awful because it's a stick shift
>>>
>>>
>>(if
>>
>>
>>>I'm up to speed these only come in manual)...
>>>
>>>People should be willing to read and learn compact things (and how to
>>>
>>>
>>execute
>>
>>
>>>shells, and all other executables in unix is very compact) to get something
>>>
>>>
>>new
>>
>>
>>>or different.
>>>
>>>She is right about Java installs though, if your distribution doesn't do it
>>>
>>>
>>for
>>
>>
>>>you it is a very hairy process for the newb (although I've seen newbs do
>>>it)...
>>>
>>>
>>>Quoting Theron Conrey <theron at conrey.org>:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Not rude at all, because you've missed the point. His wife wants to use a
>>>>computer that just works. Linux vs. Windows unimportant to the non techie.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>However if the only thing a non techie uses for work is windows, and you
>>>>
>>>>
>>have
>>
>>
>>>>to live with that person and fix thier computer problems, it helps to be
>>>>proficient. I am (nor the spouse of the author of that article) not a
>>>>windows admin. or a user. So when things broke on my wife's laptop the
>>>>beratment was severe since I earn a living as a "computer guy" and should
>>>>know how to fix these "simple" problems. So when windows problems occured
>>>>
>>>>
>>I
>>
>>
>>>>was the guy that had to fix it in my home.
>>>>The issue is about 2 things:
>>>>
>>>>One: most computer users (emph. users) assume that all computers behave as
>>>>windows does and when they don't thier broken. Nasty truth.
>>>>Two: the guy want's to get his (and i did with mine) wife on a different
>>>>platform so that I work less on fixing her computer. Saying that however
>>>>does not imply anything about liking anything. It merely states that what
>>>>the user is "used too" is windows, simply because thats all they've seen.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Theron
>>>>
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>From: chris129 at cs.iastate.edu
>>>>To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group <cialug at cialug.org>
>>>>Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2005 11:16:07 -0500
>>>>Subject: Re: Re: [Cialug] new to this group, and Linux
>>>>
>>>>Am I the only one who saw lots of characters on that page that don't exist
>>>>
>>>>
>>in
>>
>>
>>>>my
>>>>set? Lots of "A^" all over the place with an occasional epsilon...
>>>>
>>>>Anyway, the reviews are ok. But this part is a bit obnoxious:
>>>>"Remember, I am the average Windows user and I want things to work just
>>>>
>>>>
>>like
>>
>>
>>>>they would in Windows."
>>>>Frankly, when people have that attitude I tell them the perfect "distro"
>>>>
>>>>
>>for
>>
>>
>>>>them is Windows ;).
>>>>Not to be rude, but if you like Windows you might as well use it!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Quoting Theron Conrey <theron at conrey.org>:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Adding to what is posted below there is a great article about different
>>>>>distros and thier ease of use written by a Geeks spouse. Not saying that
>>>>>it's a bad thing but similar articles helped my house (wife chose not to
>>>>>veto) become free.
>>>>>Theron
>>>>>
>>>>>I believe that this forum will snip me, but here goes
>>>>>http://linux-blog.org/index.php?/categories/4-Reviews
>>>>>
>>>>>and if it does it's at the linux-blog.org site under reviews... Good
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>stuff.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Theron
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>From: David Champion <dave at visionary.com>
>>>>>To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group <cialug at cialug.org>
>>>>>Date: Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:55:34 -0500
>>>>>Subject: Re: [Cialug] new to this group, and Linux
>>>>>
>>>>>Welcome to the list.
>>>>>
>>>>>FYI, there are Linux / Free Unix groups in Ames and Cedar Falls:
>>>>>http://www.amesfug.org
>>>>>http://www.cedarlug.org
>>>>>
>>>>>We should plan some joint meetings with AmesFUG for this summer!
>>>>>Actually, stay tuned for an announcement for the June 15th meeting, I'm
>>>>>guessing some of the Ames people may be interested in something we have
>>>>>in the works.
>>>>>
>>>>>For you new users, here's my quick rundown of newbie friendly
>>>>>distributions in order of friendliness:
>>>>>
>>>>>Knoppix (bootable "live cd", no install needed)
>>>>>Mandriva (was: Mandrake)
>>>>>Ubuntu (has either a "live" cd or an installable CD)
>>>>>Suse (the "free" version requires an FTP install, which is a pain)
>>>>>Fedora (the free redhat)
>>>>>Debian
>>>>>....
>>>>>Slackware
>>>>>....
>>>>>Writing your own distro from scratch
>>>>>Gentoo
>>>>>
>>>>>I'm sure if you ask, someone will burn you a CD of the latest version of
>>>>>any of those. I personally have the latest Mandriva 2005 LE (aka
>>>>>Mandrake 10.2), and I have a bunch of the previous version of Ubuntu.
>>>>>
>>>>>p.s. :
>>>>>We're supposed to be planning an Installfest, which would be handy for
>>>>>all of these n00bs, but don't have a location or a date yet. Get on the
>>>>>stick, you Installfest planners! Let me know if you need the contact
>>>>>info for the Nevlyn Center in Ankeny.
>>>>>
>>>>>-dc
>>>>>
>>>>>Jim Asbille wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>On Wednesday 01 June 2005 17:45, Travis Beaty wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm also fond of SuSE. I use 9.3, I purchased a copy for $12. I
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>started
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>with
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Debian and then Red Hat but as a newbie I had trouble so I purchased
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>SuSE
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>9.0
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>which I heard had a great install and excellent out of the box hardware
>>>>>>support. I'm hooked now because I'm getting better at using Yast and
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>I'm
>>
>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>comfortable with how well everything works.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>On Wednesday 01 June 2005 06:01 pm, albus wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Welcome Michael.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Hello All!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Since we are introducing ourselves, I suppose it is time for me to come
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>out
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>of lurker mode and say "Hi!"
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I'm from the teeny weenie town of Osage, northeast of Mason City. I
>>>>>>>signed up as I was out looking for lugs close to me -- there is only
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>one
>>
>>
>>>>>>>that I am aware of which is closer to me than Des Moines.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>As far as my knowledge of Linux, I guess I would characterize myself as
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>on
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>the "high side of newbie." My story of how I was introduced to Linux
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>is
>>
>>
>>>>>>>embarrassing and humorous, as I am probably the only person in the
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>known
>>
>>
>>>>>>>universe who has ever *accidentally* installed Linux. This happened in
>>>>>>>2000, and I was so impressed with what I saw, I've never gone back to
>>>>>>>Windows. (FYI, it was Mandrake 7.2 that I installed.)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>It's really embarrassing. My machismo commands me to shut up about it
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>now.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>At any rate, I would suggest looking at SuSE. I am now currently
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>running
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>9.2 on my laptop, and it is very nice. 9.3 is out, but I haven't
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>upgraded
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>yet, apart from installing KDE 3.4 on my system.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I'm sure there will be others that would argue pro or con about SuSE.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>And,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>that great! It's really a personal thing, what I've gained from my own
>>>>>>>personal experiences with Linux. If [insert Linux distro here] works
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>for
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>you, that's super!! But keep in mind too that there are MANY high
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>quality
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>distros out there that are free, and very good.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Welcome to the Linux world. I think you will like it here!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Regards,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Travis Beaty
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>P.S. At some point, I'll try to get to a meeting, but it is quite a
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>ways
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>to drive for me.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>Cialug mailing list
>>>>>Cialug at cialug.org
>>>>>http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/cialug
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>Cialug mailing list
>>>>>Cialug at cialug.org
>>>>>http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/cialug
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>Cialug mailing list
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>Cialug mailing list
>>>>Cialug at cialug.org
>>>>http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/cialug
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Cialug mailing list
>>>Cialug at cialug.org
>>>http://cialug.org/mailman/listinfo/cialug
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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>
unfortunatly in this house I'm the only computer mechanic... and I ain't
getting paid....... insert jokes acordingly.
T
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