[oclug] eye candy - was Looking for Aquarium Screen Saver

[Richard Guy Briggs]

On Tue, Apr 05, 2005 at 02:48:36PM -0400, George Fiala wrote:
> one thing that many in the linux community tend to over look:  the
> end-user is more interested in a product that looks good *AND* works
> well.  Versus simply a product that works well but looks utilitarian.
> Let's face it.  Linux for the desktop is still playing catch-up,
> especially in the multi-media area, this is holding it back somewhat
> since that is the NEXT BIG THING.  If Linux cannot grab'em (young) with
> multi-media they will lose them.

I disagree.  Most desktop users seem to be looking for something that
looks good, but doesn't necessarily work.  If what you have said is
true, then M$ would not have nearly the market share they do.

My conclusion is that most desktop users would take eye candy and
convenience over reliability and security any day.

> Simply put, utilitarian gets the job done, but does it attract a crowd?
> Initially, but soon that crowd will want it to get sexy.  So they can
> look better than the other guy.  Many in the office where I am, would
> like to try Linux, but they want eye-candy, multi-media (out of the box)
> and sexy.  I usually tell them Linspire does that - not a perfect
> solution, but, at least Linspire has it right.  Make it simple, give the
> public what they want, and you will convert them.  Give them what you
> want, you will alienate them (unless you are MS and can convince that
> the bug is really a hidden feature).  Linux is not MS and while it is
> better, it will never grab the heart and mind of the end-user until the
> eye-candy and multi-media (yet more eye and ear candy) are really truly
> available.  Even young Linux fans use Windows for that.  Now feel free
> to flame away, because I am sure I either missed a point or 'fail to see
> something' - usually I have a big D'oh, moment, shortly after I send.
>  
>  
> George
> ICQ:  259 468 580
> Yahoo:  brainwrx1
> 
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	slainte mhath, RGB
	GPC Listmaster

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