On Mon, 2005-02-28 at 14:02, AndyYankovich wrote:
Andre Truter wrote:
Anyway, I think that Linux is wonderful, especially if you think that this is software written and maintained mostly by people doint it in thier free time and it competes with software written by people that get paid to do it. I am quite happy with Linux, and if something does not work, then I can help out by trying to fix it.
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Andre Truter | Software Engineer | Registered Linux user #185282 ICQ #40935899 | AIM: trusoftzaf | http://www.trusoft.za.org
Well guys, Linux is a wonderful piece of work **if you are a software engineer**.
Hi Andy, I'm not a software engineer, and my programming is not what it could be. I like Linux, and I hate Linux. I like it for it's cost effectiveness and good application base. I hate it because what I want to do is well over my current skill levels. I also hate it when I have to go to work and deal with Win2k. I keep trying to do stuff in Windows that I can do in Linux, like side widening a window or mounting a remote disk as a directory and not a drive.
But for one who is not an engineer of any kind, one who used Windows only when Win95 came out because it was easier than DOS, etc., and one who like many, many *new computer users* had no one sitting next to them (like at work) to teach the little things of how to do anything, I feel Linux won't get to be mainstream until Linux becomes standardized and much more user friendly with live tech support.
I started with Corel Linux, which really did a good job of making Linux friendly towards todays calibre of Windows user. I've been tinkering a bit with Xandros, which has a community version which can be dl'ed with bit-torrent. It's easier than Windows to set up, and easy to use as well.
I used Mandrake 10.1 first, gave up on that, then bought and installed SuSE 9.2. I had no trouble installing it and in understanding how to use the basic functions. But other *little* things have me stumped - like how to install a software (firefox) upgrade when it isn't in RPM format. And a lot of functions in the same "class" of differentness (a word?) where I have trouble finding documentation explaining how to do it.
I am fairly intelligent, can read, and understand things. I was able to go from Win 95 to Win XP Pro by myself and get to a point where I could help others with their Windows problems. BUT, after a few months in SuSE 9.2, I don't think I will ever get to that point in Linux.
I know I used to spend hours on the phone waiting to talk to a Microsoft tech support *live* human being. But it was worth it because I got specific answers to my specific question. I was willing to spend money to get the answers because I wanted to "use a computer". Simple reason, but one that was totally achievable with Windows and *live* tech support. IMHO only, THIS is where Linux needs to change.
SuSE offers this kind of support on a per incident basis.
How on earth can a person like me begin to truly "understand" how Linux works if I cannot *talk* to someone who will lead me to even *ask* the *right* questions? I will pay for the help. But where do I get the help?
I am quite serious about this post. Please feel free to contact me directly by email if you know answers to this.
I have tried to find someone who is willing to spend time - for a fee - with me on the telephone to answer questions as they come up. I know of at least two other people who would do the same thing. I got them to try Linux, but they went back to Windows. This is the kind of help we new Linux users need.
Thanks for listening. Andy
PS: Another thing. I just tried to print out this email before I sent it to be sure it said what I wanted to say. Can't figure out how to print it before I send it. I saved it as a draft but still can't print it out. I am using Evolution in SuSE Pro 9.2. Andy
You've come to the right place to ask questions and get answers. Why not start a new thread describing your printing problems? Mike