Here we go again [LWN.net]

Here we go again

Posted Apr 23, 2004 21:48 UTC (Fri) by Prototerm (guest, #20227)
Parent article: Windows vs Linux - Which is easier to install?

Now all the Linux hard-liners will come out of the woodwork, insisting that only programmers and system administrators should be allowed to use a computer, and that only after years of education and experience in a big university (just like them), and after passing a competancy exam.

If an ordinary person cannot install and configure a computer, it is a failure of the OS design, and not the stupidity of the user that's at fault.

As for installation, I've found that Linux and Windows nowadays are equally easy to install. Configuring non-default settings, on the other hand, is where most flavors of Linux still need a bit of work. SuSe 9.0 (with Yast) comes close, but doesn't quite measure up to Windows. Linux will get there, as long as we ignore those hard-liners!

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Here we go again

Posted Apr 23, 2004 23:20 UTC (Fri) by JoeBuck (subscriber, #2330) [Link]

The average user is not capable of installing and configuring Windows XP. This is done by the vendor who sells the user the computer. It's not reasonable to expect Linux to pass a hurdle than Windows does not pass.

Now, the types of changes that a typical user makes to his or her configuration are typically easier on Windows, and Linux does need to improve in this area.

Here we go again

Posted Jun 3, 2004 19:58 UTC (Thu) by fuzzy (guest, #22057) [Link]

"...insisting that only programmers and system administrators should be allowed to use a computer..."

I'm what many folks call a 'Linux hard-liner' and I personally wouldn't say that. In fact, I think Linux is _better_ for new users because it lets you see so much more 'under the hood' where M$ wants to hide everything. I think a new user + a new computer (should) = a fun learning experience. M$ apparently doesn't think so, and worse, doesn't believe its customers are up to it. How insulting!

"If an ordinary person cannot install and configure a computer, it is a failure of the OS design, and not the stupidity of the user that's at fault."

Exactly. C'mon, fellow *N?X developers/admins, we can do better. We can make front ends that are simple and work correctly, and leave their back ends open for more curious users to see.