I don't think they want to use Linux because they want to create the software support from the distribution.
I.E. Asus includes Limpus use the Limupus repository Dell Mini includes Canonical Remix use the Remix repository Emtec includes Mandriva Mini use the Mandriva Mini repository
etc... Which is actually the Linux model of software distribution.
Application writer -> make version of source code -> meta distribution package -> distribution package -> distribution binary -> installed on user machine
Now you have made a claim here that Ubuntu does not meet her needs. Not that it doesn't allow her to do things "her way" but that it can't in fact do what she wants.
It not willing to adopt the worst practices of the windows world to get their. So -- No binary only drivers from hardware vendors -- No retail model of software distribution -- No one size fits all computing
If at the end of the day the Windows/Microsoft model is really what people want then I'd rather they use windows. If on the other hand they want a world of:
-- Incredibly powerful computers preconfigured to do even non standard things well -- Choice and freedom -- Ownership and portability of their data
Verizon support Linux fine. There are no specs needed there is not even a driver issue. There is no verizon problem. There is an install disk which you don't need which is windows/mac only. Just don't run it.
Show me one post here in this thread which expects her to be a whiz at computers. So far all that is being asked is problem solving skills we expect from young children.
If you go to the Amazon website or yahoo answers for people who bought the Linux Asus systems in general they were shocked how friendly and helpful the Linux community was. The Linux community has always had excellent customer service relative to the other OSes. Lets critique fairly.
I'd say if you are taking a course based on a particular package use the package. But if you are taking a database course you can handle a dual boot install.
In terms of the factual question. OpenOffice treats access files as external data repositories, that is the tables can be select queried freely
Basic trouble shooting skills are expected of adults. No one is asking anything difficult of her. The expectation is things like check the internet, understand what you are buying.
Motorcycle manufactures do not agonize that their controls are slightly different than the ones in a car. This woman is sub mainstream in her problem solving, assuming you believe the article.
Now I guess a good solution would be a "verizon install package" on the Ubuntu server and letting verizon know to recommend it.
No, I think what they do is reasonable. The provide a windows install disk for the total idiots and tons of information for everyone else. A little more organization would be helpful.
I agree. I don't think on netbooks people understand what they are getting. A clear message on the box like:
WARNING: This computer is sold with Limpus a highly customized operating system designed to maximize usability. It includes hundreds of free software packages with thousands more available over the internet, also free,capable of meeting your needs. It is not however a windows computer, and will not run specific software.
What was the problem you needed a tech for? As a piece of advice for later just tell them you have a non standard install (i.e. you won't be able to follow your help desk script) ask specific questions and then ask for networking.
Verizon has webpages which document how to get their internet service to work without their install disks and has for about 4 years now. They offer an "all in one" install disk as a convenience.
The web is loaded with "how to get service X to work with Ubuntu articles". I don't buy this story at all.
We can blame the woman in this story for not pulling out the man pages, searching google extensively, working things on command-line, etc... or we can accept that normal, average people should not have to do these things for a mature operating system. They expect things to work. She is not wrong for this.
No one is blaming her for not doing that. They are blaming her for not using OO for general papers and they are blaming her for not doing any kind of troubleshooting, like going to verizon.com and looking up how to do a non windows install (which is clearly documented).
And yes Ubuntu isn't a good choice in your wife's case where she is being asked to use an ActiveX webapp. But that is not the scenario described in the article.
She most likely had to go out of her way to order Ubuntu. Dell does not make it easy to do this accidentally. She didn't pay attention to what she was buying. She then had a conversation where she did understand what she bought and decided to keep it.
This person supposedly dropped out of school over this. Not that I believe the story but assuming it were true avoiding being forced to terminate her education is the reason to find an ad-hoc work around.
Sorry you don't get to pull the "no reason to have to" defense here, she is being presented as a highly incentivized Linux newbie.
Most likely she asked questions like "can I do papers in Ubuntu" and they told her how.
Dell is making a play to be a major Ubuntu reseller on Netbooks. Their tech support has to learn how to provide end user support for Ubuntu. Not just say "use windows".
Slashdot Mirror
1) Do it ahead of time
2) Do it at school, at a library, a coffee shop with internet access
3) Jump on a neighbors wireless
4) Use your cell phone
etc...
I don't think they want to use Linux because they want to create the software support from the distribution.
I.E. Asus includes Limpus use the Limupus repository
Dell Mini includes Canonical Remix use the Remix repository
Emtec includes Mandriva Mini use the Mandriva Mini repository
etc... Which is actually the Linux model of software distribution.
Application writer -> make version of source code -> meta distribution package -> distribution package -> distribution binary -> installed on user machine
Now you have made a claim here that Ubuntu does not meet her needs. Not that it doesn't allow her to do things "her way" but that it can't in fact do what she wants.
So what specifically doesn't it do?
My 7 year old (at the time) knew what a manual transmission (stick shift) was. So yes I agree it is a reasonable analogy.
20 years ago:
There were:
Macs, PCs, Amigas, Suns, SGIs, HP workstations and you get still get an Apple III I think.
Moreover PCs came with: Dos, Windows, Xenix, and there was still some CP/M out there.
People had to deal with multiple OSes.
Linux is for everybody but it has a vision.
It not willing to adopt the worst practices of the windows world to get their. So
-- No binary only drivers from hardware vendors
-- No retail model of software distribution
-- No one size fits all computing
If at the end of the day the Windows/Microsoft model is really what people want then I'd rather they use windows. If on the other hand they want a world of:
-- Incredibly powerful computers preconfigured to do even non standard things well
-- Choice and freedom
-- Ownership and portability of their data
Then Linux is an option.
Lets be accurate here. Nothing so far has required the original product.
Verizon support Linux fine. There are no specs needed there is not even a driver issue. There is no verizon problem. There is an install disk which you don't need which is windows/mac only. Just don't run it.
Show me one post here in this thread which expects her to be a whiz at computers. So far all that is being asked is problem solving skills we expect from young children.
If you go to the Amazon website or yahoo answers for people who bought the Linux Asus systems in general they were shocked how friendly and helpful the Linux community was. The Linux community has always had excellent customer service relative to the other OSes. Lets critique fairly.
I'd say if you are taking a course based on a particular package use the package. But if you are taking a database course you can handle a dual boot install.
In terms of the factual question. OpenOffice treats access files as external data repositories, that is the tables can be select queried freely
Basic trouble shooting skills are expected of adults. No one is asking anything difficult of her. The expectation is things like check the internet, understand what you are buying.
Motorcycle manufactures do not agonize that their controls are slightly different than the ones in a car. This woman is sub mainstream in her problem solving, assuming you believe the article.
Now I guess a good solution would be a "verizon install package" on the Ubuntu server and letting verizon know to recommend it.
No, I think what they do is reasonable. The provide a windows install disk for the total idiots and tons of information for everyone else. A little more organization would be helpful.
The install disk doesn't really do anything.
It was worse in the early days of AOL/Prodigy... when the AOL users didn't realize what was AOL vs. what was "the internet".
The internet was a lot more civilized before 1995.
That is a verizon.net account. You go to verizon.net and generate the login / password.
I agree. I don't think on netbooks people understand what they are getting. A clear message on the box like:
WARNING: This computer is sold with Limpus a highly customized operating system designed to maximize usability. It includes hundreds of free software packages with thousands more available over the internet, also free,capable of meeting your needs. It is not however a windows computer, and will not run specific software.
Verizon does support any OS. They have lots of webpages documenting settings. There are lots of pages on getting Ubuntu to work.
The article is BS.
What was the problem you needed a tech for? As a piece of advice for later just tell them you have a non standard install (i.e. you won't be able to follow your help desk script) ask specific questions and then ask for networking.
Verizon has webpages which document how to get their internet service to work without their install disks and has for about 4 years now. They offer an "all in one" install disk as a convenience.
The web is loaded with "how to get service X to work with Ubuntu articles". I don't buy this story at all.
We can blame the woman in this story for not pulling out the man pages, searching google extensively, working things on command-line, etc... or we can accept that normal, average people should not have to do these things for a mature operating system. They expect things to work. She is not wrong for this.
No one is blaming her for not doing that. They are blaming her for not using OO for general papers and they are blaming her for not doing any kind of troubleshooting, like going to verizon.com and looking up how to do a non windows install (which is clearly documented).
And yes Ubuntu isn't a good choice in your wife's case where she is being asked to use an ActiveX webapp. But that is not the scenario described in the article.
She most likely had to go out of her way to order Ubuntu. Dell does not make it easy to do this accidentally. She didn't pay attention to what she was buying. She then had a conversation where she did understand what she bought and decided to keep it.
This is not a bait and switch.
The popularity of OSX works well here. This is a large customer base that spends a lot on software and services that won't use windows apps.
This person supposedly dropped out of school over this. Not that I believe the story but assuming it were true avoiding being forced to terminate her education is the reason to find an ad-hoc work around.
Sorry you don't get to pull the "no reason to have to" defense here, she is being presented as a highly incentivized Linux newbie.
192.168.0.1:80
Most likely she asked questions like "can I do papers in Ubuntu" and they told her how.
Dell is making a play to be a major Ubuntu reseller on Netbooks. Their tech support has to learn how to provide end user support for Ubuntu. Not just say "use windows".
And frankly this story doesn't smell right to me.