Oh yeah, like in the US you have to pay to receive messages? Would you put up with having to pay to receive emails or take all phone calls? Fuck no.
My solution is simple: don't answer text messages you receive. I usually reply with an e-mail from my n800. People usually get the point within a week or two.
Brilliant hacker starts playing with ways of taking over consumer electronics remotely, hacker sees some hoodlum attacking a defenseless person, hacker sets the attackers ipod to yani at 140db, shenanigans ensue and before you know it you have the feds trying to take down a "terrorist" because they're a threat to their ability to control the people.
We also did just fine without agriculture, irrigation, writing, buildings, iron, medicine and any number of different technologies. We also made a lot of mistakes as we developed and improved them.
This doesn't mean that we shouldn't push our boundaries. You can't live in a world without taking chances, it's just the way life works.
Honestly. most people barely have it together from 18-35. Once they get past that they are so hopelessly lost that they actively make the world a more dangerous place for the next generation (computers, global warming, bad mass transit, crappy Internet access, wars in countries they can't find on a map without assistance).
So yes, I have been fighting old people my whole life;)
Technical books have a much smaller audience than popular titles do. This drives up the cost to the reader, as fewer people are paying for the costs of the book, many of which do not have anything to do with distribution (i.e. research, testing, editing, etc.).
0x000000 Security. Very snarky and somewhat crazy security blogger. Usually interesting. Phoronix. Linux + hardware + games = Nothing not to love unless you are lame. Anandtech. Hardware. Glorious hardware. Make sure to put on the adult diapers before visting. HowtoForge. How to do stuff. Usually in Linux. The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs. More fun than a barrel of iMacs. Signal to Noise. The official 37signals blog. They are pompus, they can be pricks at times, but they usually have interesting things to say. Scobleizer. Robert Scoble. His job is talking to people using social networking tools who own companies that make social networking tools. At some point there will be a business plan. Just not today.
You get used to the tiny keyboard on the eee, honestly.
Although I don't type nearly as fast on it as I do on a desktop keyboard, given that I usually don't have enough space for a full size laptop on the bus it's better than no keyboard at all (ala my Nokia n800 internet tablet). I need something for when I'm on the go, not when I want to bang out some code.
You can't fight murder by banning knives, you can't fight hate by burning books and you can't fight conspiracy by banning privacy. Giving up your rights does not make you in any way safer.
I personally like the design of the Debian site. It's easy to get the information I need, and the format hasn't changed in years so I'm comfortable with it. Besides, Debian isn't trying to take over the world, they're trying to make a kick-butt FOSS gnu/linux distribution.
The fact that you had problems setting up binary drivers from a company that up until recently didn't provide specifications for their hardware so that the community could not produce decent open source drivers has nothing to do with whether any particular distro of linux is ready for the desktop of a home user.
If you want to install a linux distro yourself, learn how to setup and administer it beforehand. This may not be worth your time, unless you're into that sort of thing.
Typically end users do not administer their computers, rather they purchase their computers prebuilt from VARs (Dell, HP etc.), install software on their own after the fact, and bring in the local geek, computer repair service or the VAR itself to fix things when (they|microsoft|adobe|mozilla) break the damn thing. Quite possibly they may never try to fix their machine, rather they just hobble along until things get unbearable and they buy a brand new computer (again, preloaded with the OS of their choice).
Auto makers build cars for users, users drive around until check engine light comes on or 3,000 miles go by, users then take autos to mechanics for service and maintenance. No where in this picture do users service their own cars unless they really, really feel like it.
A home user needs the following: A standards based web browser with flash support (Firefox and your flash plugin of choice), a simple office suite that is fast and easy to use (Google Docs), a utility for resizing and cropping images (The GIMP), a utility for managing photos (F-Spot), an e-mail client (gmail), a music management utility (amarok) and finally, an OS that does not randomly blow up or get bitrot. Linux is ready for the home desktop.
I'll explain my rational below, feel free to ignore it if you get the idea already.
Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org both suck as applications, the latter just happens to be more stable on most Linux boxes I've used. Personally I prefer to use Google Docs whenever possible, as it performs 99% of what I need for my personal life, though sometimes I must use OpenOffice.org. At work I use MS Office, as part of my job is helping users with the "advanced features" (making things look pretty) of the application.
The GIMP is not as powerful as Photoshop, but given that I don't use any of the features of Photoshop that the GIMP lacks, I don't care if it never has them. I crop, resize and use layers. Occasionally I'll change some blue pixels to green, but that's it. I'm not a graphic designer or a pro photographer, nor do I need the tools of one. Most people are in that boat.
I don't run a business at home, so the need for "business admin" (Do you mean Quickbooks?) software is a moot point.
Finally, I have an Xbox 360, so when I want games (this happens roughly once or twice a month) I use that for an hour or two.
I prefer the command line to pc games. Beside being more rewarding intellectually, all my friends think I'm in the Matrix. And by friends I mean my collectible action figures.
You are correct, regular users typically need support (either from a nerd, or from a vendor). Also, regular drivers cannot rebuild the engine in their car, news at eleven;)
I too believe in the year of the apple enterprise desktop;)
Re:I can't understand Firefox3 beta5
on
Ubuntu 8.04 Released
·
· Score: 5, Informative
Ubuntu releases based on a schedule (1 major release every 6 months, 1 release with long term support every 2 years), not when software is completely "ready". The merits of this can be argued by better geeks than I (I'll continue to use 7.10 on my desktop for a month, but 8.04 is going on my lappy pronto).
If you need completely stable software you should use another distro (Debian comes to mind) or wait a month or two.
I live with my gf who likes anime, 4chan, linux, and is a babe.
There is a trick to getting this to work: just talk about what you love (in my case computers and anime) to everyone you meet regardless of gender. The first person of the opposite sex that doesn't run away from you and isn't related to you (or your boss, teacher, etc.) is likely compatible.
It still sounds like you're saying that people should get a Mac because they "Just Work". Windows is very useful for a great number of things, but polished is not what I'd describe it as;)
Slashdot Mirror
Oh yeah, like in the US you have to pay to receive messages? Would you put up with having to pay to receive emails or take all phone calls? Fuck no.
My solution is simple: don't answer text messages you receive. I usually reply with an e-mail from my n800. People usually get the point within a week or two.
Don't you guys have e-mail?
Brilliant hacker starts playing with ways of taking over consumer electronics remotely, hacker sees some hoodlum attacking a defenseless person, hacker sets the attackers ipod to yani at 140db, shenanigans ensue and before you know it you have the feds trying to take down a "terrorist" because they're a threat to their ability to control the people.
We also did just fine without agriculture, irrigation, writing, buildings, iron, medicine and any number of different technologies. We also made a lot of mistakes as we developed and improved them.
This doesn't mean that we shouldn't push our boundaries. You can't live in a world without taking chances, it's just the way life works.
Three words: Evolve or die.
Honestly. most people barely have it together from 18-35. Once they get past that they are so hopelessly lost that they actively make the world a more dangerous place for the next generation (computers, global warming, bad mass transit, crappy Internet access, wars in countries they can't find on a map without assistance).
;)
So yes, I have been fighting old people my whole life
No fair, all the emacs users are probably suffering from sore wrists by now and can't respond. ;)
Wait, you're worried about looking like a dork and yet you're posting to slashdot?
Technical books have a much smaller audience than popular titles do. This drives up the cost to the reader, as fewer people are paying for the costs of the book, many of which do not have anything to do with distribution (i.e. research, testing, editing, etc.).
0x000000 Security. Very snarky and somewhat crazy security blogger. Usually interesting.
Phoronix. Linux + hardware + games = Nothing not to love unless you are lame.
Anandtech. Hardware. Glorious hardware. Make sure to put on the adult diapers before visting.
HowtoForge. How to do stuff. Usually in Linux.
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs. More fun than a barrel of iMacs.
Signal to Noise. The official 37signals blog. They are pompus, they can be pricks at times, but they usually have interesting things to say.
Scobleizer. Robert Scoble. His job is talking to people using social networking tools who own companies that make social networking tools. At some point there will be a business plan. Just not today.
You get used to the tiny keyboard on the eee, honestly.
Although I don't type nearly as fast on it as I do on a desktop keyboard, given that I usually don't have enough space for a full size laptop on the bus it's better than no keyboard at all (ala my Nokia n800 internet tablet). I need something for when I'm on the go, not when I want to bang out some code.
You can't fight murder by banning knives, you can't fight hate by burning books and you can't fight conspiracy by banning privacy. Giving up your rights does not make you in any way safer.
Deal with the problem, not with the tools.
Democracy HOWTO:
1. Soapbox (i.e. slashdot and write your congressman).
2. Ballot box (i.e. vote dammit).
3. Cartridge box. (i.e. ctrl+alt+boston-tea-party).
We still need to complete steps 1 and 2 before 3.
I personally like the design of the Debian site. It's easy to get the information I need, and the format hasn't changed in years so I'm comfortable with it. Besides, Debian isn't trying to take over the world, they're trying to make a kick-butt FOSS gnu/linux distribution.
If the OS worked as promised they wouldn't have anyone to sell the upgrade to in 3-5 years.
The fact that you had problems setting up binary drivers from a company that up until recently didn't provide specifications for their hardware so that the community could not produce decent open source drivers has nothing to do with whether any particular distro of linux is ready for the desktop of a home user.
If you want to install a linux distro yourself, learn how to setup and administer it beforehand. This may not be worth your time, unless you're into that sort of thing.
Typically end users do not administer their computers, rather they purchase their computers prebuilt from VARs (Dell, HP etc.), install software on their own after the fact, and bring in the local geek, computer repair service or the VAR itself to fix things when (they|microsoft|adobe|mozilla) break the damn thing. Quite possibly they may never try to fix their machine, rather they just hobble along until things get unbearable and they buy a brand new computer (again, preloaded with the OS of their choice).
Auto makers build cars for users, users drive around until check engine light comes on or 3,000 miles go by, users then take autos to mechanics for service and maintenance. No where in this picture do users service their own cars unless they really, really feel like it.
Why should computers be any different?
A home user needs the following: A standards based web browser with flash support (Firefox and your flash plugin of choice), a simple office suite that is fast and easy to use (Google Docs), a utility for resizing and cropping images (The GIMP), a utility for managing photos (F-Spot), an e-mail client (gmail), a music management utility (amarok) and finally, an OS that does not randomly blow up or get bitrot. Linux is ready for the home desktop.
I'll explain my rational below, feel free to ignore it if you get the idea already.
Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org both suck as applications, the latter just happens to be more stable on most Linux boxes I've used. Personally I prefer to use Google Docs whenever possible, as it performs 99% of what I need for my personal life, though sometimes I must use OpenOffice.org. At work I use MS Office, as part of my job is helping users with the "advanced features" (making things look pretty) of the application.
The GIMP is not as powerful as Photoshop, but given that I don't use any of the features of Photoshop that the GIMP lacks, I don't care if it never has them. I crop, resize and use layers. Occasionally I'll change some blue pixels to green, but that's it. I'm not a graphic designer or a pro photographer, nor do I need the tools of one. Most people are in that boat.
I don't run a business at home, so the need for "business admin" (Do you mean Quickbooks?) software is a moot point.
Finally, I have an Xbox 360, so when I want games (this happens roughly once or twice a month) I use that for an hour or two.
I prefer the command line to pc games. Beside being more rewarding intellectually, all my friends think I'm in the Matrix. And by friends I mean my collectible action figures.
I don't think so, Microsoft has been trying to teach people that lesson for years and it still hasn't sunk in for 90% of the population.
You are correct, regular users typically need support (either from a nerd, or from a vendor). Also, regular drivers cannot rebuild the engine in their car, news at eleven ;)
I too believe in the year of the apple enterprise desktop ;)
Ubuntu releases based on a schedule (1 major release every 6 months, 1 release with long term support every 2 years), not when software is completely "ready". The merits of this can be argued by better geeks than I (I'll continue to use 7.10 on my desktop for a month, but 8.04 is going on my lappy pronto).
If you need completely stable software you should use another distro (Debian comes to mind) or wait a month or two.
I live with my gf who likes anime, 4chan, linux, and is a babe.
There is a trick to getting this to work: just talk about what you love (in my case computers and anime) to everyone you meet regardless of gender. The first person of the opposite sex that doesn't run away from you and isn't related to you (or your boss, teacher, etc.) is likely compatible.
It still sounds like you're saying that people should get a Mac because they "Just Work". Windows is very useful for a great number of things, but polished is not what I'd describe it as ;)