<snip>
> > I agree. It **ALL** depends on the user. Let's
> face it, most people
> > in this world are not computer "experts". They
> have other jobs to do
> > and they will choose tools that makes their jobs
> easier, not more of a
> > PITA.
</snip>
<2nd snip>But most Linux
> support comes like
> the Slug list for the obvious reason that the GPL
> causes diversity in
> programming.
</2snip>
I am on the board of directors of two computer clubs
in NE florida. I have done presentations on Linux to
both clubs and even newbies have responded with
interest. But the problem is this 1) no one with the
time to both install linux for a brand new newbie and
then hold their hand on it and 2) even the forums and
mailing lists do not provide the level of support
people need.
I had such problems with my first distro (Knoppix,
install was easy, maintaining it became a nightmare)
that I had an IT friend come over and help me install
Ubuntu (after three tries alone) He was here for four
hours straightening out issues with hardware and at
the end of it he was laughing hysterically and saying
"are you sure Linux isn't ready for primetime?" Four
weeks into my Ubuntu experience apt-get started
spewing out LOCALE errors and other issues arose. I
posted the errors on four forums and this list and
received no helpful answers. (On the Ubuntu forums
there were a number of us screaming politely for help)
Now I am trying to decide whether to install SUSE
after a different local Linux IT guy failed after 14
hours of effort to get Debian to install and work. In
spite of being an enthusiastic computer user who is
not afraid of the command line I have to say I would
not be using Linux if I did not enjoy how bizarre this
experience has been. I can show people the cool
features of my desk top, convince them that free and
free of spyware and viruses is good, I can teach them
to prefer the gimp to photoshop but if I can't even
(with help) get one stable distro running on my
computer, why would they want it?
I'm persistent, I'll keep trying. The average human
being would have a life and want to go live it :)
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