To her, the Windows UI is extremely confusing. Double-clicking was a new concept. Saving a file, locating where you saved it, opening it, all the wizard options, the odd error messages, etc. These were all brand-spanking-new things to her. Nothing was intuitive about Windows.
Amen, brother.
Anyone that has taught elementary computer use (especially to adults), like you and me, will feel your pain.
There's nothing intuitive in Windows for the raw beginner. Nothing!
I think the point is that yes, my mom IS a GUI usability guru, for the simple fact that she has no technical expertise. The "average" computer user should not need to know anything about editing text-files in/etc, or using rpm or make to unzip/install new applications.
Aren't you confusing the terms? Average means just that, average. According to your description, your mom is rather a beginner. She'll eventually (with your help) learn a few things, and she'll be on her way to being average.
I'm average, and, thanks to Mandrake, can do some nifty things just by point and click. The difference being that, even when new to Linux, I've been using computers for quite a few years.
IMHO targeting GUIs to the raw beginner is a mistake.
No - because the RIAA makes it impossible (via Payola and monopoly) for any non-RIAA band to be widely heard. There are plenty of great bands out there that won't make it big until they sell out to the RIAA for pennies on the dollar.
I happen to tell then that Microsoft probably only has the majority share of users in the US. There are other countries where users dont have money to spend on an OS.
Is there any country besides the USA where people actually pays for software? Instead of just copying or borrowing a friend's copy?
However, look at what MS added in the newest Office - XML (for enterprise inter-op) and groupware (for sharing and collaboration). This is where the real innovation is
I believe that, in fact, Word peaked at 2.0. That version was lean and mean, and did everything an Office word processor should do. Each version afterwards just added cruft.
Writing novels shouldn't be done in Word. It's a very different problem space.
So when Russia had it's back to the wall and didn't use ICBMs, I guess that means they didn't exist?
The last time Russia (or rather the URSS) had its back to the wall was in 1942. You're suggesting they should have used nuclear weapons against themselves in the 90's? Weird. very weird...
I really wish you were right, but it's just wishful thinking. Linux is great for the geek desktop, and for the corporate desktop. Your desktop, my desktop. The home user just doesn't care.
That and high prices has been the best driving force to put Linux on the desktop. They are working very hard to make it robust and have less BSOD's, but they are nor fixing the high cost.
And about cost: maybe you live in a very law abiding part of the world, but the home user DOES NOT PAY for software. He just makes an unauthorized copy. $5 for any software in the street.
If MS really cracks down on piracy, then you'll be right, but for now...
The biggest thing keeping Redmond on the desktop is off the shelf software selecton.
I beg to differ. The biggest thing keeping Redmond in the desktop is the fact that the VAST majority of desktop users (not you or me, but the USERS) don't know what an OS is, don't know there are others, don't know they can change it, don't give a damn. And the truth is, they shouldn't.
The desktop will still be an uphill battle long after the servers and the workstations are sewn up. This battle will be won like Stalingrad: one house at a time.
Only because you're comparing the mass of music of the last decade or two to the very best of three or four centuries.
You have a point here,but
but that very few modern composers engage in
do you honestly believe that some composer for the last 50 years is going to be remembered in three or four centuries? Not just as an historical footnote or as a curio? I'm not arguing, just curious. I don't agree much with you, but you raise goods points.
Patents and Copyrights that never expire, are overbroad, obvious, derivitave or otherwise place ideas off limits for extended periods of time are evil.
Slashdot Mirror
To her, the Windows UI is extremely confusing. Double-clicking was a new concept. Saving a file, locating where you saved it, opening it, all the wizard options, the odd error messages, etc. These were all brand-spanking-new things to her. Nothing was intuitive about Windows.
Amen, brother.
Anyone that has taught elementary computer use (especially to adults), like you and me, will feel your pain.
There's nothing intuitive in Windows for the raw beginner. Nothing!
Cheers,
The guru is the one who will successfully implement the UI specs set forth by the lay-user.
So the lay-user will set forth the specs? And will specify features he doesn't know exist? Because he is, you know, lay.
You're kidding, no?
Have I been trolled?
Cheers,
Cheers,
I think the point is that yes, my mom IS a GUI usability guru, for the simple fact that she has no technical expertise. The "average" computer user should not need to know anything about editing text-files in /etc, or using rpm or make to unzip/install new applications.
Aren't you confusing the terms?
Average means just that, average.
According to your description, your mom is rather a beginner. She'll eventually (with your help) learn a few things, and she'll be on her way to being average.
I'm average, and, thanks to Mandrake, can do some nifty things just by point and click.
The difference being that, even when new to Linux, I've been using computers for quite a few years.
IMHO targeting GUIs to the raw beginner is a mistake.
Cheers,
In the end, for my mom, Microsoft wins
And who made your mom the parameter of OS correctness?
I'm sure she's a perfectly fine lady, but is she also a GUI usability guru?
Cheers,
No - because the RIAA makes it impossible (via Payola and monopoly) for any non-RIAA band to be widely heard. There are plenty of great bands out there that won't make it big until they sell out to the RIAA for pennies on the dollar.
And that's the whole story.
Yeah, that's all.
Cheers
Palestinian officials respond by rejecting Mandrake in favor of *BSD.
Well, when they discover VI vs. EMACS then they'll have a REAL war.
Cheers,
I happen to tell then that Microsoft probably only has the majority share of users in the US. There are other countries where users dont have money to spend on an OS.
Is there any country besides the USA where people actually pays for software?
Instead of just copying or borrowing a friend's copy?
In what planet?
Cheers,
However, look at what MS added in the newest Office - XML (for enterprise inter-op) and groupware (for sharing and collaboration). This is where the real innovation is
You're joking. At least, i hope so.
Cheers
What's your point? A lot of shit wouldn't exist if it wasn't for something else
+1, Short and right on target.
Cheers,
Yes, Word 6 is the best version of MS Word IMHO.
I believe that, in fact, Word peaked at 2.0.
That version was lean and mean, and did everything an Office word processor should do.
Each version afterwards just added cruft.
Writing novels shouldn't be done in Word. It's a very different problem space.
Cheers,
Cheapbytes.
Cheers,
Well, the AOL way works.
Cheers,
So when Russia had it's back to the wall and didn't use ICBMs, I guess that means they didn't exist?
The last time Russia (or rather the URSS) had its back to the wall was in 1942.
You're suggesting they should have used nuclear weapons against themselves in the 90's? Weird. very weird...
and the WMDs will be found.
Even if they have to be made just in order to be discovered...
My exact thoughts.
You beat me to the keyboard.
Cheers,
I really wish you were right, but it's just wishful thinking.
Linux is great for the geek desktop, and for the corporate desktop. Your desktop, my desktop.
The home user just doesn't care.
That and high prices has been the best driving force to put Linux on the desktop. They are working very hard to make it robust and have less BSOD's, but they are nor fixing the high cost.
And about cost: maybe you live in a very law abiding part of the world, but the home user DOES NOT PAY for software. He just makes an unauthorized copy. $5 for any software in the street.
If MS really cracks down on piracy, then you'll be right, but for now...
Cheers,
The biggest thing keeping Redmond on the desktop is off the shelf software selecton.
I beg to differ.
The biggest thing keeping Redmond in the desktop is the fact that the VAST majority of desktop users (not you or me, but the USERS) don't know what an OS is, don't know there are others, don't know they can change it, don't give a damn.
And the truth is, they shouldn't.
The desktop will still be an uphill battle long after the servers and the workstations are sewn up.
This battle will be won like Stalingrad: one house at a time.
Cheers,
So everybody's a moron except you?
Perhaps you've been missing the point? It's no shame. Happens to everyone of us now and then.
Relax, it's only Slashdot.
Best wishes,
Only because you're comparing the mass of music of the last decade or two to the very best of three or four centuries.
You have a point here,but
but that very few modern composers engage in
do you honestly believe that some composer for the last 50 years is going to be remembered in three or four centuries? Not just as an historical footnote or as a curio?
I'm not arguing, just curious. I don't agree much with you, but you raise goods points.
Cheers,
Scores were published and did travel massively all over Europe.
Not massively. Far from it.
It was current custom for a musician to transcribe by himself the works of others, which gave him an occasion to study the style of their colleagues.
Copying yourself, by hand, is very different to publishing.
So now you have a choice : 1) Copyrights 2) Sponsoring artists through government or the good will of a few very rich people.
Personally, I choose 1).
But I feel that when the norm was 2), we had far better music.
Cheers,
Didn't I? Well, next time.
Cheers,
Copyrights are not bad. Patents are not bad
This is at least debatable.
Patents and Copyrights that never expire, are overbroad, obvious, derivitave or otherwise place ideas off limits for extended periods of time are evil.
Very well said!
Cheers,
But, unfortunately, I'm missing the compelling point you were trying to make.
I'm sure you are. It just figures.
By the way, who's Peter Jackson?
Cheers,
How many feeble, trembling, gutless Windows 98 users are there still out there?
Do you have an idea about how many 32 Mb of memory machines are still out there?
Running Win 95/98?
Hint: a lot.
Cheers,
I use ONLY Linux and KDE, and I can attest, that, at least in MDK 9.2, the
Enjoy desktop environments where settings are spread around 3 different menus and where sometimes they inexplicably don't stick etc.
part is true. Really annoying.
Cheers,