George Toft said:
Here's a great example: My wife used Unix at AT&T on her desktop, and she used it well. She has used my Linux dosktop at home, and does it well. There's no way she could ever install a package, much less install the either Unix not Linux. She can install programs on Win95, and with 10 minutes of training, she could download and install packages unter Linux, but she cannot install the OS. See the difference? Using this example, even Win95 is not ready for the desktop either, yet there it is.
Linux IS NOT ready for the average home user. It is ready for most of the people that are on this list, but the fundamental differences between that dumbed-down, crippled OS from Microsoft and the very powerful OS that we all know and love are too overwhelming for the home user to quickly master, especially in a six page installation manual. I think the only way Linux will work in the home, is either in an imbedded device (GO SONY!) or in a dumbed-down, crippled version.
Perhaps there is a third alternative.. turn the computer into an appliance and have repair/service people like we have for other appliances. Sure you'll always have the do-it-yourselfer that screws things up, but that doesn't seem any different than what plumbers and electricians, or IT people at the office, are dealing with today. Thing is, the OS has to be as reliable as your average air-conditioner (or electrical wiring or plumbing) is to make the economics work out and Windows won't cut it here. With a little maneuvering though I think something like one of the BSDs or Linux could work in such a scenario, especially if a lot of the administration could be done over the 'net, eliminating some of the time-consuming house calls. If it wasn't for the fact that today I'd have to deal mostly with braindead Win boxes I might already have started such a service (well, that and the fact that I already have two jobs). I know I'd have the clients, I do most of the work on the computers of friends and family already. I even get the occasional referral. :) -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/Support/Doku/FAQ/