On Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 10:33:08 Gerald Pfeifer wrote:
On Tue, 10 Aug 2010, Graham Lauder wrote:
/However, given the size of modern harddrives I see no reason why KDE, Gnome, XFCE, icewm and Window Maker can't all be installed if the install script detects an HD over say 160 GB.
Well, it does increase the amount of updates and bandwidth is not necessarily for free, and even if it is, updates cost time and inconvenience.
My first response is so bloody what, an Ubuntu power user consumes lots of broadband just on install. You're talking to someone who has to suffer the vagaries of rural dialup. The main reason I run openSUSE rather than Kubuntu is because I buy the DVD and I get an excellent system with many options, (if I so desire), without the need of a broadband connection. However if I want Nvidia drivers (124 mb) that's an overnight download and more.
Also, this means that a lot more applications will appear in the various menus and dialogs and choice is _not_ always good, especially when it's about usability or non-expert users.
Then adapt to suit
Additionally common proprietary codecs and drivers should be on the DVD or at first launch a script should launch asking the user if they want Video and Audio codecs installed so they can play their windows media files.
Note that unless there is an openSUSE.com incorporated on some island in the Carribean or the Channel that takes over the entire infrastructure and distribution some of these things will be hard to implement and/or prohibitively expensive.
Then one wonders how Ubuntu UE does it on install and you don't even have to ask. If VLC was installed by default, then it's no issue but you can pull it from the repositories. When I run a movie after install kaffienne pops up and asks to download the codecs, which is another annoying wait. After several installs _I_ expect these things, however the new user shouldn't have to wait till later when he first wants to run an application if a simple "yes" at install anticipates that need. And all without a Caribbean tax haven. We do it already! It's just the way we time it annoys the customers. Ye Gods this is simple good customer relations, which develops word of mouth, which is the cheapest form of marketing going. Anticipate the customers needs and fill them. Simple Forgive me, but you're hunting for negatives, which is always easier to do than promoting positive alternatives
Gerald
Cheers GL -- Graham Lauder, OpenOffice.org MarCon (Marketing Contact) NZ http://marketing.openoffice.org/contacts.html OpenOffice.org Migration and training Consultant. Ambassador for OpenSUSE Linux on your Desktop INGOTs Assessor Trainer (International Grades in Office Technologies) www.theingots.org.nz -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-project+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-project+help@opensuse.org