Hm, OK. I concede. I wasn't aware of how much things had advanced with Linux distributions, and much of my opinion is based on working with Slackware in 1999, and my recent frustrations with installing MythTV and not being able to get the damn remote to work. Again, the hardware issues in Linux are a pain. But you're right, I guess things have gotten easier in Linux, I must be looking in all the wrong places. I thought people still had to compile stuff from source, since I see that happening all the time. apt-get is still a new idea to me, so is yum, but what I've seen of them is pretty nice, provided you know what to type. Finding the exact command you have to install is pretty much analogous to finding and downloading an installation file, which really isn't as difficult as you make it out to be. Who really forgets where they download things???
If a user wants to install a program, all they have to do is download an installation program, open it up, and the GUI very nicely guides them through it. Your average user isn't going to have a clue about using a command line interface, and in fact would absolutely dread using one. "What do I have to type, now? What are dependencies??? I just want to run my program!"
Your average user would rather use a GUI installation "wizard", will use the default locations (what informed decisions... the folder is clearly named "Program Files") and install the default components. Or, if they are slightly more savvy, they may realize that certain components are unnecessary. Either way, clicking "Next" a few times and "Finish" will always be more user-friendly than typing a handful of cryptic commands into a terminal. "Make? What am I making?".
If Linux was able to implement the ability to run a nice little executable installation file that you could save to the desktop and double-click, Linux would become much more attractive to people. As soon as you introduce the Terminal, their eyes glaze over. Make useful alternatives to using the CLI, make WINE standard and transparent, ensure full Windows interoperability, and you've got yourself a winning OS.
Gee, I hope none of them want to play any games... or install any applications... or any of the other things you can do easily in Windows but would require research and reading manuals for a newbie to do.
First off, I'm someone who initially started using computers as a young'n on Windows 3.1, and learned a little bit of MS-DOS back in the day. I've used just about every incarnation of Windows since then and have grown accustomed to it. However, a few years ago (right around when XP came out), I decided that perhaps it was time to try something different. Because of my affiliation with the Church of the SubGenius, I decided to give Slackware a try.
Installing and running Slackware was a learning experience, and it got me acquainted with the Linux world, but once I got it installed I didn't know what else to do with it, since I had tons of games and it was impossible to play them with WINE or anything else. So, I switched back to Windows.
Recently I've been more and more interested in Linux, and it seems like there are a few good distros (Ubuntu, Freespire) that attempt make Linux more user-friendly. But it's still not quite there, and it won't be until two major things change.
1. Hardware Support: This is a no-brainer, and I know that there have been a lot of advances in this field, so I'll skip to the second and most important change.
2. Application Installation: As long as users are forced to deal with the command-line interface, the general public will never be ready to switch to Linux. In Windows, all you have to do is open up the executable "Setup/Install" file, and a nice little set up utility will guide you through the process. Click "Next" a few times, and you're up and running. When installing and running programs in Linux becomes this easy, you will see people flocking toward Linux distributions. Linspire/Freespire has made considerable progress using their CNR service, but it's still not the same. Don't give me a private library of programs you can click and run, let me install anything I want with the click of a button!
A lot of Linux users seem to have the attitude of "If you're afraid of the CLI, you don't deserve to use the OS", but that's a load of crap. Make it easier for people to use, and you will see the popularity of Linux increase exponentially. I guarantee it!
The biggest difference is in system management and software installation. Windows loses in that regard hands-down.
I completely disagree with that statement. As far as system management and software installation goes, Windows is the clear winner as far as ease-of-use goes. If you want to manage the system settings, there is a Control Panel which neatly displays pretty much anything you'd ever want to adjust. If you need to install an application, all you have to do is find the Install.exe file or whatever it is, double click the icon, and an installation utility starts up. What more could you ask for?
Over the years I have experimented with Linux off and on. First with Slackware, then with Fedora (haven't tried Ubuntu yet but it's next on my list), and all I've had is headaches and frustration. Let's say I have to install an application. There's no nice setup utilities for most applications and you have to fumble through a set of commands which often aren't included in the README file if there even is one. You can't just click on an icon and have something install easily, you have to spend time researching exactly how to go about the process. But let's say you want to change some display settings. You can't just right-click on the desktop and adjust a couple of slidebars, you have to edit the damn XORG.CONF file.
Until Linux distributions realize that most people hate having to type out crap in a command line interface and exit config files by hand, it will remain the OS for developers and hobbyists. Windows will remain relevant not just because it comes pre-installed on virtually every preconfigured computer, but because it is intuitive and easy to use. Hands down.
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Hm, OK. I concede. I wasn't aware of how much things had advanced with Linux distributions, and much of my opinion is based on working with Slackware in 1999, and my recent frustrations with installing MythTV and not being able to get the damn remote to work. Again, the hardware issues in Linux are a pain. But you're right, I guess things have gotten easier in Linux, I must be looking in all the wrong places. I thought people still had to compile stuff from source, since I see that happening all the time. apt-get is still a new idea to me, so is yum, but what I've seen of them is pretty nice, provided you know what to type. Finding the exact command you have to install is pretty much analogous to finding and downloading an installation file, which really isn't as difficult as you make it out to be. Who really forgets where they download things???
Your average user would rather use a GUI installation "wizard", will use the default locations (what informed decisions... the folder is clearly named "Program Files") and install the default components. Or, if they are slightly more savvy, they may realize that certain components are unnecessary. Either way, clicking "Next" a few times and "Finish" will always be more user-friendly than typing a handful of cryptic commands into a terminal. "Make? What am I making?".
If Linux was able to implement the ability to run a nice little executable installation file that you could save to the desktop and double-click, Linux would become much more attractive to people. As soon as you introduce the Terminal, their eyes glaze over. Make useful alternatives to using the CLI, make WINE standard and transparent, ensure full Windows interoperability, and you've got yourself a winning OS.
Do you hate your friends and family???
Oh god, I hope you meant to say "clothesline". You don't want to know the horribly grotesque visual that comment gave me.
Installing and running Slackware was a learning experience, and it got me acquainted with the Linux world, but once I got it installed I didn't know what else to do with it, since I had tons of games and it was impossible to play them with WINE or anything else. So, I switched back to Windows.
Recently I've been more and more interested in Linux, and it seems like there are a few good distros (Ubuntu, Freespire) that attempt make Linux more user-friendly. But it's still not quite there, and it won't be until two major things change.
1. Hardware Support: This is a no-brainer, and I know that there have been a lot of advances in this field, so I'll skip to the second and most important change.
2. Application Installation: As long as users are forced to deal with the command-line interface, the general public will never be ready to switch to Linux. In Windows, all you have to do is open up the executable "Setup/Install" file, and a nice little set up utility will guide you through the process. Click "Next" a few times, and you're up and running. When installing and running programs in Linux becomes this easy, you will see people flocking toward Linux distributions. Linspire/Freespire has made considerable progress using their CNR service, but it's still not the same. Don't give me a private library of programs you can click and run, let me install anything I want with the click of a button!
A lot of Linux users seem to have the attitude of "If you're afraid of the CLI, you don't deserve to use the OS", but that's a load of crap. Make it easier for people to use, and you will see the popularity of Linux increase exponentially. I guarantee it!
Dear China: Please find enclosed one shiny American Nickel. You may keep the change.
I completely disagree with that statement. As far as system management and software installation goes, Windows is the clear winner as far as ease-of-use goes. If you want to manage the system settings, there is a Control Panel which neatly displays pretty much anything you'd ever want to adjust. If you need to install an application, all you have to do is find the Install.exe file or whatever it is, double click the icon, and an installation utility starts up. What more could you ask for?
Over the years I have experimented with Linux off and on. First with Slackware, then with Fedora (haven't tried Ubuntu yet but it's next on my list), and all I've had is headaches and frustration. Let's say I have to install an application. There's no nice setup utilities for most applications and you have to fumble through a set of commands which often aren't included in the README file if there even is one. You can't just click on an icon and have something install easily, you have to spend time researching exactly how to go about the process. But let's say you want to change some display settings. You can't just right-click on the desktop and adjust a couple of slidebars, you have to edit the damn XORG.CONF file.
Until Linux distributions realize that most people hate having to type out crap in a command line interface and exit config files by hand, it will remain the OS for developers and hobbyists. Windows will remain relevant not just because it comes pre-installed on virtually every preconfigured computer, but because it is intuitive and easy to use. Hands down.