[oclug] Value

[Piotr R. Sidorowicz]

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miden wrote:
> On Thu, 2006-11-23 at 00:22 -0500, Jacques B. wrote:
> -clipped valid points to get to this one-
>> As for coming close to Synaptic/Apt-get or Yumex/yum to install stuff,
>> in Windows you download an application, double click on it, it's
>> installed.  Can't get much easier than that either can we?  Having to
>> run an installer application is counter-intuitive to what Windows
>> users are accustomed to.

That is an oversimplification. Windows installers ask questions, require
installation keys, install miscellaneous additional and undesired
applications by default, etc. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, "it's like a
box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get..." Synaptic or
Yumex at least are consistent.

On a different note, why should Linux mimic the Windows way of doing
things? Does Apple care? No. Similarly, each distro has its own well
defined way of installing software. Diversity is good. Does Saab care
that most other makes place the ignition key on the steering column? Do
microwave ovens have identical controls? That is what most companies do
to differentiate their products, and no one complains. Why then should
we expect a Maoist approach in software controls. Windows look and feel
maybe familiar to many, but it does not mean that it is the pinnacle of
 intuitiveness. Microsoft knows that, that is why they are rolling out
the "ribbon" in Office 2007. It may be a hit or it may crash and burn,
time will tell. There is no innovation without experimentation.

[ text deleted for brevity ]
>> you can get it
>> through their auto-installer most likely, but counter-intuitive for a
>> Windows user so contributes to the investment of time required by a
>> user who switches to Linux. 

Then I fear the said user might be hard pressed to switch from a Chevy
to a Honda - It also requires an investment of time to figure out where
all the controls are. Fortunately for those who cannot be bothered with
RTFM, there are on-site service technicians that would be more than
willing to charge $100 for a service call to do the install for them.
Nerds-on-Site and A+techs.com routinely do that for Windows users.

> Linux really, really needs some common usability standards ..
[ text deleted for brevity ]

Those it does. They are just different than those from Redmond. Vive la
differance!


Piotr


- --
Piotr R. Sidorowicz, PhD         phone: 613.822.2094
1819 Rideau Rd	                  voip: sip:prsidorowicz at ekiga.net
Gloucester, On, Canada, K1X 1E1  email: prsidoro at mavericsolutions.ca
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