Living Free With Linux, Round 2

bsk_cw writes "About a month ago, in Living free with Linux: 2 weeks without Windows, Preston Gralla wrote about what life was like for a long-time Windows user trying to live with Linux. His main problems came when he tried to install or update software. Loads of people responded with advice — so he went back and tried again. Here's what he learned, and what did and didn't work for him."

Comments

Re:Linux isn't ready for the desktop

[PinkyDead]

Neither are you.

Re:I did RTFA...

[Ranzear]

Security vs. Useability:

Windows is a house with the front door left unlocked.

Linux/Unix is a house with no front door.

Waste of Time

[DesertBlade]

HE DOES NOT WANT IT TO WORK! He finds any reason on how windows is better. Adding the Open office 3.0 repos in Ubuntu took about 1 minute of searching the internet, 1 minute to add it and 5 minutes of downloading. He wants it to just fail, and doesn't bother to learn it.

I was a windows fan boy for years, been free for 4 months now and loving it. Converted (saved) 3 people too, once they learn the tiny changes they love it, and it is way easier for the COMMON user than windows. Heck it comes with most software you need right out the box, sorry it didn't work with his dual workgroup/domain windows setup he had at his house, but really how many people have that. NO ONE should have that wacky of a setup either.

Re:Lol

[Daengbo]

I couldn't disagree more. That DMG will probably be there until a reboot. On the other hand, in Ubuntu (the most popular distro):

1. Go to the Applications menu and find that the application you need isn't there;
2. Locate "Add/Remove" at the bottom of the same menu;
3. Click on the categories and browse or use the "Search" function;
4. Click on the application you think meets your needs;
5. Check the box if it truly does; and
6. Click "Apply Changes."

Almost nothing could be easier than that. There's nothing to discover -- no need to Google or visit a website or figure out what to do with your DMG. The only way the process would be more comprehensible is to label the "Apply Changes" button with "Add/Remove Programs" instead. Changes are underway to make the app descriptions more informative and to show a screenshot.

This Add/Remove process doesn't work with things not in the database, but it should be the first stop for anyone starting to use the system. The fact that Windows users can't get past the desire to download something from a website doesn't make the Add/Remove process harder: we're just fighting programming.