Subject: Re: Speaking of Guides...
From: Peter M. Bagnall (pete@surfaceeffect.com)
Date: Thu Mar 09 2000 - 05:17:16 MST
>> Windows may suck, but a non-geek can install and
>> configure it.
>
>I'd just like to comment on that remark..... I performed an install of
>Win98 on my K-6 box a couple months ago for the first time. let me just
>say that it was the wierdest install i have ever done. Saying
>a non-geek can install and configure it strikes me as somewhat silly. Sorry
>for my rant.
I've had the same experience installing Windoze afew times (at work I
hasten to add). But I've also had it install fine without any problems and
work first time (bar the obvious reboots every ten seconds!). I think the
point is that if everything goes well it is an easy install. As soon as
problems crop up it's very hard to fix, and for a newbie, basically
impossible. I guess that's why windows preinstalled is a good idea if your
going that route, but who has never had to reinstall? On the other hand,
for a newbie Linux has always been quite challenging to install. You need
to learn quite a few concepts to get it right. But if things go wrong you
often have an at least partly working system you can then tweak.
>The only reason people think windows is easier to install and configure
>that is that you can click on a checkbox or select an item in a dropdown
>menu. I'll take /etc any day over the windows control panels.
I think there's real benefit in GUI installers if they ask questions the
user cares about, like do you want an FTP active? But you've got to ask the
right questions to make it really worth while.
I have to admit that the whole software installing problem is something
that I find really interesting on many levels so I'm going to write my
ideas down soon and stick them on my website (see .sig) but that's not
going to be for a little while yet.
>> I think it's not only a good idea, but a necessary one if Linux
>> is every to be a serious OS competitor to average (non-geek)
>> users.
>
>In conclusion, I agree. hehe.
Yup, if users can use then what's the point!?
>PS. the only reason i installed windows was because of a certain piece of
>hardware, a PIC programmer to be exact, for which drivers are only
>available for Windows. Please forgive me.
I forgive you ;-)
Pete
-- Peter M. Bagnall pete@surfaceeffect.com - http://www.surfaceeffect.com/
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