[linux-help] Re: linux desktop

[Nate Bargmann <n0nb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, Nov 02, 2001 at 09:36:50PM -0600, Patrick R . Klee wrote:
> 
> Also, I would have to disagree on this.  Linux has one big challenge and 
> that's desktop environments.  They only thing my dad hates is having to 
> log in JUST to play Eric's Ultimate Solitare.  He says, if Linux didn't 
> use a login system and had a user friendly desktop, he would switch to 
> Linux.  But doesn't GNOME and KDE serve as a "user friendly" environment.  

I think Linux has to overcome a perception of not being user friendly on
the desktop, only because things tend to look differently here.  With
the myriad of tool kits and the theming options available, one loses the
sameness of Windows quite quickly.  Those of us on this side of the
divide enjoy the robust variety of the fauna that surrounds us, while we
pity those on the other side who are surrounded by a barren desert.
This variety is perceived as a bad thing, although the similarities
between X apps and Windows apps are much greater than their
differences.

I think the general population really doesn't like dealing with computers,
therefore all manner of excuses seem to be heard by those of us in the
IT world about why computers are so hard to use.  Conversely, people think
nothing of buying a different vehicle every few years and invariably the
location, number, and labeling of the controls change.  Yet, the people
adapt and don't spend time at the dealer wanting their new vehicle laid
out exactly like the one they just traded in because the new one "is too
hard to learn."  Then there are the different interfaces to all the
appliances in the home and somehow the people manage to adapt.  But,
when it comes to computers, the people say it "has to be just like
Windows or I can't figure it out."  A moment's thought reveals how silly
this thought process is.

Now, about your dad not liking to log in.  Perhaps it would work to
explain that this is the system's way of protecting him and itself and
goes a long way toward Linux's legendary stability.  I doubt he cares
much about the fact that Linux is a multiple user system and allows many
people to use the system at once (theoretically, physical or network
access is the limiting factor here) and thus requires a way to
differentiate amongst its users.  Also, by logging in, the system
maintains his data and preferences seperate from all other users and
allows his customizations to not be affected by changes anyone else makes
while they are logged in.  Last argument is that logging in is required,
get over it!  ;-)

- Nate >>

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