Splntr's picture

Partial agreement from me

On June 4th, 2008 Splntr (not verified) says:

I think you touch here on something I hear a lot... Sure there are benefits, but when things go wrong it really goes wrong.

I should start by saying I mostly agree with the point the author is making... generally no one cares anymore who made it, they just want to be able to do stuff, and get on with the rest of thier life afterwards (preferrably without a headache).

I'd go further and suggest that no one really cares that the software is free, or provides freedom, or any other ideological notion presented... again, they just want to browse the net, listen to music, write an email or three, and maybe watch a movie.

Perhaps the only truely key aspect for them... It has to work without them having to learn much if anything. Like buying a car, and not having to be a mechanic to be able to drive it. We must admit that Windows is still superior in this aspect. Generally, stuff just works.

I've been trying to use *nix in my daily life for a while now. I don't favour myself an expert by any stretch, but I like to think I do know a little about what's going on. What I have found is that I've spent considerable time with my buddy Google trying to figure out basic setup issues, and fix niggling problems... I posit that the average user just do not want to be bothered with all that.

Pre-built systems solve many problems in that respect. Everything has already been setup, tweaked, and figured out before it comes to you... Until you want to plug in something new/unsupported/not fully supported... and that's where it all falls flat and puts the average user off a bit.

Last note... it really doesnt help that *nix engineers/developers/hackers etc (tend to) promote this aire of superiority over "n00bs" still. Mainstream will follow, if they're not made to feel like idiots by the head of the pack. Being unique/better/faster/more stable means nothing if no one wants to go near the arrogant troll who guards the gates. [analogy storm ends]

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