I like the idea of PC-BSD as you mentioned. Placing a layer of abstraction between the OS and the applications that run on an OS seem like a good idea. That is somewhat the beauty of Linux with its GUI, apps, clients all running as non-OS integrated programs. I don't know enough to comment on that, but being able to change your GUI between KDE and Gnome itself is a selling point for me when it comes to Linux.
Another major problem I am running into as a new user of Linux is finding replacment for the hundreds of programs that I use regularly and infrequently on my current Win2KPro machine. I read in the heading of this thread that the new Ubuntu book lists the differenet software options availables for Windows upgraders, but why isn't this information more easily dessimenated? What Linux guys need to realize that aside from the early adopter/nerd types, Linux does not provide that much of an incentive to switch. It's not like a Mac where switching will be viewed as easier.
Until this hurdle is passed, I still see Windows dominating the OS sphere. When MS Word replaced Wordperfect 5.1, I still remember Word providing so many ways to make it easier for Wordperfect (with all of its keyboard macros) users to switch. There was a clear and definite incentive. I hope Linux provides that in the future.
I am admittedly an old-school Windows/DOS power user since the days of DOS 2.1 back in the 80's. I've always wanted to get into Linux mainly because of my Unix background from my college days. However, for a busy nerd, Linux can be a bit intimidating. A lot to learn and not enough time. I tried RedHat, Debian, Suse, Knoppix, etc. installs on various machines, but I could not get productive quickly enough for my interest to be kept up.
I put up Ubuntu 5.10 on an old busted out laptop the other night, and in a space of four hours, I was up and running with a base level of productivity. I found automatix and that solved a lot of my stupid "where's this and that" Linux problems. I can browse the internet, do office tasks, burn and copy CD/DVDs, get on my Windows network, and edit photographs.
Ubuntu is has a simple paradigm that is easy for Windows users to pick up.
Now only if Linux guys could get installation of package software through an Installshield type of setup going. That would solve so many problems for new users like me. I mean, just upgrading from Firefox 1.0.7 to 1.5 would be an annoying and daunting task if it had not been for automatix.
Why don't we have an InstallShield type of system for Linux - and don't quip back that we do with package managers. Downloading.deb,.rpm, etc files is annoying, especially if you don't know what you are looking for. A simple standard installation system for all Linux distros is needed.
But I see Ubuntu as being a serious replacement for Windows if it keeps heading in the right direction. Since their stated purpose it to bring computing to the people (and not only to nerds), I see this as an encouraging trend.
Pradeep
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I like the idea of PC-BSD as you mentioned. Placing a layer of abstraction between the OS and the applications that run on an OS seem like a good idea. That is somewhat the beauty of Linux with its GUI, apps, clients all running as non-OS integrated programs. I don't know enough to comment on that, but being able to change your GUI between KDE and Gnome itself is a selling point for me when it comes to Linux.
Another major problem I am running into as a new user of Linux is finding replacment for the hundreds of programs that I use regularly and infrequently on my current Win2KPro machine. I read in the heading of this thread that the new Ubuntu book lists the differenet software options availables for Windows upgraders, but why isn't this information more easily dessimenated? What Linux guys need to realize that aside from the early adopter/nerd types, Linux does not provide that much of an incentive to switch. It's not like a Mac where switching will be viewed as easier.
Until this hurdle is passed, I still see Windows dominating the OS sphere. When MS Word replaced Wordperfect 5.1, I still remember Word providing so many ways to make it easier for Wordperfect (with all of its keyboard macros) users to switch. There was a clear and definite incentive. I hope Linux provides that in the future.
I am admittedly an old-school Windows/DOS power user since the days of DOS 2.1 back in the 80's. I've always wanted to get into Linux mainly because of my Unix background from my college days. However, for a busy nerd, Linux can be a bit intimidating. A lot to learn and not enough time. I tried RedHat, Debian, Suse, Knoppix, etc. installs on various machines, but I could not get productive quickly enough for my interest to be kept up. I put up Ubuntu 5.10 on an old busted out laptop the other night, and in a space of four hours, I was up and running with a base level of productivity. I found automatix and that solved a lot of my stupid "where's this and that" Linux problems. I can browse the internet, do office tasks, burn and copy CD/DVDs, get on my Windows network, and edit photographs. Ubuntu is has a simple paradigm that is easy for Windows users to pick up. Now only if Linux guys could get installation of package software through an Installshield type of setup going. That would solve so many problems for new users like me. I mean, just upgrading from Firefox 1.0.7 to 1.5 would be an annoying and daunting task if it had not been for automatix. Why don't we have an InstallShield type of system for Linux - and don't quip back that we do with package managers. Downloading .deb, .rpm, etc files is annoying, especially if you don't know what you are looking for. A simple standard installation system for all Linux distros is needed.
But I see Ubuntu as being a serious replacement for Windows if it keeps heading in the right direction. Since their stated purpose it to bring computing to the people (and not only to nerds), I see this as an encouraging trend.
Pradeep