Despite its obvious flaws, Microsoft software is superior in at least one important aspect: usability.
This wins the desktop user time after time. Will Linux catch up? (Can it catch up?)
In Israel the (single) power company used this technology for years for its own data communication.
I think the reason it never moved to other sectors involved both the high price of the required modems and the requirement for a licence (being a communication provider requires a licence, at least here in Israel) which was always a problem to gain here.
One side that we don't hear about Microsoft, is whether their fight for controling the internet is a legitimate one. (considering all the monopoly issue from one side and trying hard to remember that Microsoft is at the end: a business)
No they don't. Merrill Lynch is. Forbes can use this flashing headline and get away with it, but I find it improper that slashdot, which targets a more insightful (?) audience, is using eyeball-grabber titles as well.
The 'Linux' word is completely unnecessary - "Designing Good Applications" should suffice.
Application design couldn't care less of the OS that the application is planned to run on.
Then why do I have to pay this "pirating" tax on media destined to archive my source code and mail box?
Actually, you don't pay "pirating" tax. since you're paying, the "pirating" should actually be legal, or else why pay in advance?
I think some industries can learn from RIAA. e.g. pay gas tax for fines you don't pay.
Many 'gurus' teaching new users about Linux make it look harder than it needs to be
You might want to check out this case from a social psychology point of view. People who are not real experts but perceives themselves to be experts might want to emphasize their expertise by showing the new user how smart they are in comparison.
It should be noted that real experts shouldn't (at least in theory) have this inferiority complex, which makes the interaction for them with newbies much more straightforward and purposeful.
Could the biggest problem with Linux usability be that most of the people teaching newbies to use Linux are too smart and know too much?"
Or is it they don't know that much but think and want others to think they do?
>> I should add a big "USER FRIENDLY DOCUMENTATION" to my previous post
> One problem with that approach.
> Users. Don't. Read. Documentation.
Newsflash: Users. Do. Read. Documentation.
You will be amazed, most non-technical users (and, are u ready? even technical users) do read documentation when they don't understand something just from using it.
>Go around your office, and ask your non-technical (marketing, accounting, etc.) Windows users questions like:
>Did you get a manual with your computer? Did you use it?
>How did you learn how to use Windows?
>Did you get a manual with Windows?
>Have you read any manuals for Internet Explorer?
If you get an organized computer you'll get all the documentation you'll need.
The people who don't read windows & IE documentation, don't need it because <flamebait> windows is easy and intuitive to learn and use, at least relatively to linux </flamebait>.
Read the license to Win XP carefully. It has a part in it that says that Microsoft may disable your access to copyrighted content at any time without notice upon request by content owners.
Shouldn't be a law that prevents a monopoly from adding whatever it wants to a license of a product that almost everyone must eventually buy?
Slashdot Mirror
In the old days it wasn't uncommon to display "Press Any Key..." instead of "Press any key...". The capital letters certainly added to the confusion.
Despite its obvious flaws, Microsoft software is superior in at least one important aspect: usability.
This wins the desktop user time after time. Will Linux catch up? (Can it catch up?)
Will slashdot make it to the terrorist organization list?
Isn't it time for Slashdot to partner with NYT just like Google did (link-wise)? After all, Slashdot is a rather large referrer to NYT articles.
I was scrolling almost till the end of the slashdot main page, and saw no SCO threads... I was beginning to worry.
Now I feel much better. Thanks.
One dedicated sysadmin holding the entire country internet access on his shoulders... before, during and after the war... under fire...
A war hero. If the media can't find the authentic ones, it creates them.
I click on SCO stories just to read and sympathize with the comments complaining this SCO frenzy.
Workshop In Computer Construction - From Nand to Tetris
Peopleware
The Psychology of Computer Programming
The Mythical Man-Month
In Israel the (single) power company used this technology for years for its own data communication.
I think the reason it never moved to other sectors involved both the high price of the required modems and the requirement for a licence (being a communication provider requires a licence, at least here in Israel) which was always a problem to gain here.
He wasn't happy with the typesetting on his first book, and decided this should be done by computer, so he wrote a markup language for typesetting.
Why spend 10 days doing something when you can spend 10 years automating it?
(If you don't approve profoundly with the above sentence you don't belong to the software development profession.)
If you had to choose one and only one thing that has made Google the most popular search engine, what would it be?
One side that we don't hear about Microsoft, is whether their fight for controling the internet is a legitimate one. (considering all the monopoly issue from one side and trying hard to remember that Microsoft is at the end: a business)
From the slashdot FAQ:
Now that you have sold it, does this mean you've become corporate drones?
No.
Answered by: CmdrTaco
Last Modified: 10/21/00
Isn't it time to update the FAQ to reflect current reality?
Wall Street Embraces Linux
No they don't. Merrill Lynch is. Forbes can use this flashing headline and get away with it, but I find it improper that slashdot, which targets a more insightful (?) audience, is using eyeball-grabber titles as well.
And what about those rats coming in with dead cats in their mouths, huh?
Designing Good Linux Applications
The 'Linux' word is completely unnecessary - "Designing Good Applications" should suffice.
Application design couldn't care less of the OS that the application is planned to run on.
Gives a whole new meaning to CAT SCAN.
Cost of NY course is $495.00
Then why do I have to pay this "pirating" tax on media destined to archive my source code and mail box?
Actually, you don't pay "pirating" tax. since you're paying, the "pirating" should actually be legal, or else why pay in advance?
I think some industries can learn from RIAA. e.g. pay gas tax for fines you don't pay.
Many 'gurus' teaching new users about Linux make it look harder than it needs to be
You might want to check out this case from a social psychology point of view. People who are not real experts but perceives themselves to be experts might want to emphasize their expertise by showing the new user how smart they are in comparison.
It should be noted that real experts shouldn't (at least in theory) have this inferiority complex, which makes the interaction for them with newbies much more straightforward and purposeful.
Could the biggest problem with Linux usability be that most of the people teaching newbies to use Linux are too smart and know too much?"
Or is it they don't know that much but think and want others to think they do?
>> I should add a big "USER FRIENDLY DOCUMENTATION" to my previous post
> One problem with that approach.
> Users. Don't. Read. Documentation.
Newsflash: Users. Do. Read. Documentation.
You will be amazed, most non-technical users (and, are u ready? even technical users) do read documentation when they don't understand something just from using it.
>Go around your office, and ask your non-technical (marketing, accounting, etc.) Windows users questions like:
>Did you get a manual with your computer? Did you use it?
>How did you learn how to use Windows?
>Did you get a manual with Windows?
>Have you read any manuals for Internet Explorer?
If you get an organized computer you'll get all the documentation you'll need.
The people who don't read windows & IE documentation, don't need it because <flamebait> windows is easy and intuitive to learn and use, at least relatively to linux </flamebait>.
"After the Gold Rush : Creating a True Profession of Software Engineering" is a book by Steve McConnell (Author of "Code Complete", "Rapid Development" and "Software Project Survival Guide"). The book deals with this subject in a clear and logical way. Highly recommended.
Shouldn't be a law that prevents a monopoly from adding whatever it wants to a license of a product that almost everyone must eventually buy?
Read the license to Win XP carefully. It has a part in it that says that Microsoft may disable your access to copyrighted content at any time without notice upon request by content owners.
Shouldn't be a law that prevents a monopoly from adding whatever it wants to a license of a product that almost everyone must eventually buy?