Comments on: Ubuntu and the 'Average User' http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/ Channel News, Reseller News and Channel Partner Programs Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Roszyk http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116403 Roszyk Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:48:06 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116403 I recently had a hard drive failure which required me to restore Windows Vista Home Basic on a Dell 630s. After restoring Vista from the provided DVD I was asked to insert the "Drivers and Utilities" disk. I had to choose from a list the correct driver for my sound card, network interface, video chipset etc. It was a struggle. Contrast this with installing Ubuntu 8.10 on the same machine and I'll take the Ubuntu install anyday! Everything worked without problems. I was prompted for media codecs and the nvidia video driver and all worked perfectly. Adding software applications was as easy easy a menu choice. If a 50 yr old novice like me can do it, anybody can. I'm not going back! I recently had a hard drive failure which required me to restore Windows Vista Home Basic on a Dell 630s. After restoring Vista from the provided DVD I was asked to insert the “Drivers and Utilities” disk. I had to choose from a list the correct driver for my sound card, network interface, video chipset etc. It was a struggle. Contrast this with installing Ubuntu 8.10 on the same machine and I’ll take the Ubuntu install anyday! Everything worked without problems. I was prompted for media codecs and the nvidia video driver and all worked perfectly. Adding software applications was as easy easy a menu choice. If a 50 yr old novice like me can do it, anybody can. I’m not going back!

]]> By: David http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116402 David Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:21:23 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116402 There is another HUGE point that I don't ever see covered in these forums and flame wars and that is that Linux is truly one OS to rule them all. YOu can install, literally, the same OS on every machine in your enterprise from laptops and simple data entry (OOo) boxes to engineering, accounting, and the servers. One disc, literally, one flavor, is all you need. As opposed to Windows or Mac OSX. Vista has four (4) desktop editions and there is a whole family of server editions. Mac OSX has 2 with the desktop and server editions. Frankly, so does Ubuntu for reasons that elude me. But with tru GNU Linux, like Debian (the basis of Ubuntu) there is one version for all needs. Thre is no differentiation between a desktop, laptop and a server OS other than the software installed. Homogeny, continuity, and consistency. That is true low cost ease of use for an enterprise or the home. There is another HUGE point that I don’t ever see covered in these forums and flame wars and that is that Linux is truly one OS to rule them all. YOu can install, literally, the same OS on every machine in your enterprise from laptops and simple data entry (OOo) boxes to engineering, accounting, and the servers. One disc, literally, one flavor, is all you need. As opposed to Windows or Mac OSX. Vista has four (4) desktop editions and there is a whole family of server editions. Mac OSX has 2 with the desktop and server editions. Frankly, so does Ubuntu for reasons that elude me. But with tru GNU Linux, like Debian (the basis of Ubuntu) there is one version for all needs. Thre is no differentiation between a desktop, laptop and a server OS other than the software installed.
Homogeny, continuity, and consistency. That is true low cost ease of use for an enterprise or the home.

]]> By: Socceroos http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116401 Socceroos Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:38:42 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116401 I had a school principal come to me (a friend) and ask me to speed up his laptop - it was Vista. The laptop came with Vista Home Premium and a 'Vista Capable' sticker on it. It was as slow as a wet week. It was shocking. You really couldn't use it! Needless to say, I spent 20 minutes installing Ubuntu 8.10 (along with common apps like Skype and codecs). He was blown away. He's never used Linux before. To this day, he hasn't had a problem. And it is QUICK - thats what got him the most. He was shocked at the performance of his laptop. I had a school principal come to me (a friend) and ask me to speed up his laptop – it was Vista. The laptop came with Vista Home Premium and a ‘Vista Capable’ sticker on it. It was as slow as a wet week. It was shocking. You really couldn’t use it!

Needless to say, I spent 20 minutes installing Ubuntu 8.10 (along with common apps like Skype and codecs). He was blown away. He’s never used Linux before. To this day, he hasn’t had a problem. And it is QUICK – thats what got him the most. He was shocked at the performance of his laptop.

]]> By: Don Watkins http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116400 Don Watkins Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:18:03 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116400 Well written and logical article and you've articulated an argument that's not frequently made. Why does Ubuntu Linux have to approximate a Windows "look and feel?" For what it's worth my 82 year old mother uses Ubuntu 8.10 on her desktop and prefers it to Windows for a number of reason not least of which that it is easier for her to navigate. Single clicks to open applications for a woman plagued by arthritic hands makes Ubuntu Linux much easier for her to use than Windows. Well written and logical article and you’ve articulated an argument that’s not frequently made. Why does Ubuntu Linux have to approximate a Windows “look and feel?” For what it’s worth my 82 year old mother uses Ubuntu 8.10 on her desktop and prefers it to Windows for a number of reason not least of which that it is easier for her to navigate. Single clicks to open applications for a woman plagued by arthritic hands makes Ubuntu Linux much easier for her to use than Windows.

]]> By: lancest http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116399 lancest Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:55:01 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116399 People with no computer experience installing should probably not install Ubuntu. Newbies can use Ubuntu just fine- same as Windows. Ubuntu is simple- just click click click these days. The problems come from Windows power users who are addicted to their Windows environment. I actually thrive using Ubuntu because I can finally have easy access to all types software. People with no computer experience installing should probably not install Ubuntu. Newbies can use Ubuntu just fine- same as Windows. Ubuntu is simple- just click click click these days. The problems come from Windows power users who are addicted to their Windows environment. I actually thrive using Ubuntu because I can finally have easy access to all types software.

]]> By: LinuxCanuck http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116398 LinuxCanuck Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:43:32 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116398 I generally agree with a writer. Many Windows users come to Ubuntu and other distros with the idea that Linux is inferior because it is not like Windows. I have read articles and blogs in recent weeks that echo this sentiment, that we need one distro, that we need one spokeperson, that we need one desktop, and that we need one mascot. In other words, Linux lacks the character and identity that Windows and Mac OS/X have. I, of course, disagree. Not only do they want Linux to be a replacement for Windows, but they also want it to duplicate it. I also agree with some of the comments. Linux is not quite there yet, for many reasons. The chief one is that it does not have a Linux compatible hardware sticker or come pre-installed. Ubuntu is showing leadership in this and is working toward a programme where OEMs designate equipment as bing Linux compatible. They are also working with OEMs to get Linux pre-installed on desktops and netbooks. I would like to add my own thoughts on Linux help forums. I frequent many of these. I find many Linux mentors are not as helpful as they could be. They start where they are and not where the user is. They will tell a complete newbie to use terminal commands when in fact a GUI can do the same thing in most cases. I have seen users asking for help, only to be told that they should not be using that distro, but to use another one or that it is their fault for using a development distro such as Sidux. We have to remember that we are not talking to children, but adults. They are in a situation and are asking people for help to resolve the problem. They are not seeking your advice which distro to use or to affix blame. If you can't advise them properly then just don't respond. Also give them advice that they can actually use. If it is something that can be more easily solved with a GUI, then go that route because that is where they are at. You may feel perfectly capable with the commandline, but most newbies aren't. At the very least, you should offer both solutions. I have seen lots of harm done on Linux forums. There is also much good going on, but we need to remember that we are the only PR that Linux has. If you can't be positive, then be quiet. I generally agree with a writer. Many Windows users come to Ubuntu and other distros with the idea that Linux is inferior because it is not like Windows. I have read articles and blogs in recent weeks that echo this sentiment, that we need one distro, that we need one spokeperson, that we need one desktop, and that we need one mascot. In other words, Linux lacks the character and identity that Windows and Mac OS/X have. I, of course, disagree. Not only do they want Linux to be a replacement for Windows, but they also want it to duplicate it.

I also agree with some of the comments. Linux is not quite there yet, for many reasons. The chief one is that it does not have a Linux compatible hardware sticker or come pre-installed. Ubuntu is showing leadership in this and is working toward a programme where OEMs designate equipment as bing Linux compatible. They are also working with OEMs to get Linux pre-installed on desktops and netbooks.

I would like to add my own thoughts on Linux help forums. I frequent many of these. I find many Linux mentors are not as helpful as they could be. They start where they are and not where the user is. They will tell a complete newbie to use terminal commands when in fact a GUI can do the same thing in most cases. I have seen users asking for help, only to be told that they should not be using that distro, but to use another one or that it is their fault for using a development distro such as Sidux.

We have to remember that we are not talking to children, but adults. They are in a situation and are asking people for help to resolve the problem. They are not seeking your advice which distro to use or to affix blame. If you can’t advise them properly then just don’t respond. Also give them advice that they can actually use. If it is something that can be more easily solved with a GUI, then go that route because that is where they are at. You may feel perfectly capable with the commandline, but most newbies aren’t. At the very least, you should offer both solutions.

I have seen lots of harm done on Linux forums. There is also much good going on, but we need to remember that we are the only PR that Linux has. If you can’t be positive, then be quiet.

]]> By: aikiwolfie http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116397 aikiwolfie Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:41:12 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116397 Indeed. The infamous BSOD comes to mind. What would grandma do if she got one of those nasties? Call the extortionate tech support line? Take the PC to a shop that'll charge £50 just to look at it and go "hmmmmm"? Steve Ballmer called Windows Vista a "work in progress" as though it was a new experience to experience problems with Windows. It isn't. Hence the entire symbiotic support industry aimed squarely at the consumer surrounding Windows. And how much would grandma understand about anti-virus software, firewalls and registry cleaners? Indeed. The infamous BSOD comes to mind. What would grandma do if she got one of those nasties? Call the extortionate tech support line? Take the PC to a shop that’ll charge £50 just to look at it and go “hmmmmm”?

Steve Ballmer called Windows Vista a “work in progress” as though it was a new experience to experience problems with Windows. It isn’t. Hence the entire symbiotic support industry aimed squarely at the consumer surrounding Windows.

And how much would grandma understand about anti-virus software, firewalls and registry cleaners?

]]> By: el7azeen http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116396 el7azeen Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:52:22 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116396 if ubuntu (or any gun/linux distro for that matter) isn't ready for the grandma, then what would u call windows? It isn't ready to users who have used for so many years if ubuntu (or any gun/linux distro for that matter) isn’t ready for the grandma, then what would u call windows? It isn’t ready to users who have used for so many years

]]> By: aikiwolfie http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116395 aikiwolfie Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:47:01 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116395 @ Josh: Absolute total nonsense. If you buy Linux pre-installed as part of the package then your distributor (assuming it's not Joe's corner PC shop) will be able to provide OS support. In the case of Ubuntu Canonical offers optional "paid for" support. If you were to buy a copy of Microsoft Windows Vista support is inclusive in the price tag. The fact of the matter is, ALL COMMERCIAL LINUX DISTRIBUTORS MAKE MONEY FROM SELLING SUPPORT SERVICES. Red Hat does it, Canonical does it, Novell does it, Xandros does it and Gentoo does it. There are also other lesser know distributors like Linpus. Acer uses their distro on the their netbooks. And I have to say it's not bad. A full copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (download version) from the Microsoft Store currently costs £229.99. A copy of Ubuntu will cost me NOTHING. Even if I order a disc from Canonical. Just and extra £90 gets me professional support. Now as for forums and Wikis being bad organised? I guess they might be if you're looking at something built by an enthusiast. But not the official forums run by the commercial backers. The Ubuntu forum is very well organised and is actually very busy. Lots of questions get answered and lots of problems get solved. There's even a special area for Dell PC owners. Sorry but your vision of the Linux world is so hopelessly outdated you really need to take a refresher course. Linux hasn't just come a long way since 1991. It's a totally different beast. With Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex), even things like 3g internet access work "out of the box" on pre-installed systems. HDMI ports on laptops also work perfectly. With my Dell M1330n I can have "twin view", "two separate desktops" or I can disable one or the other display all from just pressing the Fn+CRT/LCD (Fn+F8) key combination. Other things that seem to wind people up like media buttons all work as you might expect them to. And as for navigation? Where are all you applications? They might just be in the "Applications" menu. How do you install an application? Two basic methods. Either run an installer as you would in Windows or go to "Add/Remove" at the bottom of the Applications menu. Unlike in Windows "Add/Remove" does actually "ADD" and "REMOVE" applications. Now someone said something about codecs? Windows doesn't come complete with all the codecs people need these days "out of the box". Install a boxed version of Windows and you will be spending many download sessions grabbing all the codecs you need. For Ubuntu users life is a bit simpler. Where there are no legal restrictions Ubuntu will simply offer to download the codec for you, explaining that component is needed to play the media file. Where legalities may hold things up a bit there are commercial options like Fluendo or PowerDVD. Or you can add the Medibuntu repo to your sources list and download from there. The Ubuntu forum has a handy up-to-date comprehensive easy to follow guide on how to do that. They even give you the commands you need. And one last point. Linux pre-installed on a Dell comes with everything you need. My XPS M1330n even came complete with LinDVD. But back to the article. I agree the criticisms leveled against Ubuntu are totally unfounded. Especially since it seems Windows Vistas compatibility issues won't all be solved before it's re-branded version, Windows 7 is released. And Windows 7 supposedly introduces new compatibility nightmares for software vendors. Randall C. Kennedy from InforWorld reported it broke compatibility with some of his software. And he's apparently a huge Microsoftie! With every new release, Ubuntu gets better. Compatibility with popular hardware gets better and over all the whole OS gets more and more polished. Windows it seems is in terminal decline and Microsoft can't afford to throw more than a little spit it's way to save it. http://weblog.infoworld.com/enterprisedesktop/archives/2008/10/windows_7_the_d.html?source=rss @ Josh: Absolute total nonsense. If you buy Linux pre-installed as part of the package then your distributor (assuming it’s not Joe’s corner PC shop) will be able to provide OS support.

In the case of Ubuntu Canonical offers optional “paid for” support. If you were to buy a copy of Microsoft Windows Vista support is inclusive in the price tag.

The fact of the matter is, ALL COMMERCIAL LINUX DISTRIBUTORS MAKE MONEY FROM SELLING SUPPORT SERVICES. Red Hat does it, Canonical does it, Novell does it, Xandros does it and Gentoo does it. There are also other lesser know distributors like Linpus. Acer uses their distro on the their netbooks. And I have to say it’s not bad.

A full copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (download version) from the Microsoft Store currently costs £229.99. A copy of Ubuntu will cost me NOTHING. Even if I order a disc from Canonical. Just and extra £90 gets me professional support.

Now as for forums and Wikis being bad organised? I guess they might be if you’re looking at something built by an enthusiast. But not the official forums run by the commercial backers.

The Ubuntu forum is very well organised and is actually very busy. Lots of questions get answered and lots of problems get solved. There’s even a special area for Dell PC owners.

Sorry but your vision of the Linux world is so hopelessly outdated you really need to take a refresher course. Linux hasn’t just come a long way since 1991. It’s a totally different beast.

With Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex), even things like 3g internet access work “out of the box” on pre-installed systems. HDMI ports on laptops also work perfectly. With my Dell M1330n I can have “twin view”, “two separate desktops” or I can disable one or the other display all from just pressing the Fn+CRT/LCD (Fn+F8) key combination.

Other things that seem to wind people up like media buttons all work as you might expect them to. And as for navigation? Where are all you applications? They might just be in the “Applications” menu. How do you install an application? Two basic methods. Either run an installer as you would in Windows or go to “Add/Remove” at the bottom of the Applications menu. Unlike in Windows “Add/Remove” does actually “ADD” and “REMOVE” applications.

Now someone said something about codecs? Windows doesn’t come complete with all the codecs people need these days “out of the box”. Install a boxed version of Windows and you will be spending many download sessions grabbing all the codecs you need.

For Ubuntu users life is a bit simpler. Where there are no legal restrictions Ubuntu will simply offer to download the codec for you, explaining that component is needed to play the media file. Where legalities may hold things up a bit there are commercial options like Fluendo or PowerDVD. Or you can add the Medibuntu repo to your sources list and download from there. The Ubuntu forum has a handy up-to-date comprehensive easy to follow guide on how to do that. They even give you the commands you need.

And one last point. Linux pre-installed on a Dell comes with everything you need. My XPS M1330n even came complete with LinDVD.

But back to the article. I agree the criticisms leveled against Ubuntu are totally unfounded. Especially since it seems Windows Vistas compatibility issues won’t all be solved before it’s re-branded version, Windows 7 is released. And Windows 7 supposedly introduces new compatibility nightmares for software vendors. Randall C. Kennedy from InforWorld reported it broke compatibility with some of his software. And he’s apparently a huge Microsoftie!

With every new release, Ubuntu gets better. Compatibility with popular hardware gets better and over all the whole OS gets more and more polished. Windows it seems is in terminal decline and Microsoft can’t afford to throw more than a little spit it’s way to save it.

http://weblog.infoworld.com/enterprisedesktop/archives/2008/10/windows_7_the_d.html?source=rss

]]> By: Josh http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116394 Josh Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:10:59 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116394 Even if Linux were easier to use than Windows, what compelling reason do regular users have to switch? The vast majority of users don't care about open source software, and the price tag is not a compelling reason considering that Western culture teaches us that anything free is also low quality. Being ready for the "average user" is great, but this is not a "build it and they will come" type of technology. Linux (and Ubuntu) must provide compelling reasons for users to change their workflow, to learn new technology, and become comfortable with a different computing paradigm. Old habits are hard to break unless there's a REALLY good reason for doing so. Even if Linux were easier to use than Windows, what compelling reason do regular users have to switch? The vast majority of users don’t care about open source software, and the price tag is not a compelling reason considering that Western culture teaches us that anything free is also low quality.

Being ready for the “average user” is great, but this is not a “build it and they will come” type of technology. Linux (and Ubuntu) must provide compelling reasons for users to change their workflow, to learn new technology, and become comfortable with a different computing paradigm. Old habits are hard to break unless there’s a REALLY good reason for doing so.

]]> By: Ronnie Whisler http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116393 Ronnie Whisler Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:29:41 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116393 This argument is some of the reason I started Buntfu.com (a community based PC vendor). Its is true that most people don't install their own OS. Its also true that most people don't like to read or track down the solution to a problem they might be having using Ubuntu. But for those of us who can setup a linux box and like doing so have a place to sell their computers. And the average Joe looking to buy a computer and wants to try linux but doesn't want to do it themselves has a place to buy one from people like us. Don't look at people laziness to learn something new as a thorn in Ubuntu's side. Its just an opportunity for true computer users to help them get a computer with Ubuntu/Linux already installed and break away from the proprietary strangle hold. This argument is some of the reason I started Buntfu.com (a community based PC vendor). Its is true that most people don’t install their own OS. Its also true that most people don’t like to read or track down the solution to a problem they might be having using Ubuntu. But for those of us who can setup a linux box and like doing so have a place to sell their computers. And the average Joe looking to buy a computer and wants to try linux but doesn’t want to do it themselves has a place to buy one from people like us. Don’t look at people laziness to learn something new as a thorn in Ubuntu’s side. Its just an opportunity for true computer users to help them get a computer with Ubuntu/Linux already installed and break away from the proprietary strangle hold.

]]> By: shamil http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/comment-page-1/#comment-116392 shamil Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:01:07 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/11/28/ubuntu-and-the-average-user/#comment-116392 A pre installed linux installation can easily be compared to a pre installed windows or osx installation. A pre installed linux installation can easily be compared to a pre installed windows or osx installation.

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