blogs.computerworld.com— Once upon a time you needed to know shell commands and how to edit configuration files to use Linux. Today, all you need to know is how to handle a mouse.
Jan 13, 2010View in Crawl 4
Linux has changed a lot in 10 years, as has everything technology related. 10 years ago the majority of the population was using windows 98, which had no plug and play support, and drivers had to be installed for everything.
The only problem is this:Windows 7 and Snow Leopard are looking more and more POLISHED on the interface front.Who wants to use fugly-ass Ubuntu with Gnome that looks and feels like it's still 2002?Snow Leopard looks good. Windows 7 looks good. A dated interface is not going to attract any newbie to Linux/Ubuntu.
I've probably used Linux longer than most people here have. Ubuntu is improving, but it is NOT polished.Even Ubuntu fans complain that Gnome is looking more and more dated.And I don't think I've seen a more unfocused desktop than KDE.I don't know about you, but I got Windows 7 for free, and the default setup is so much more pleasant to the eye and to use than Ubuntu.The average newbie doesn't want to spend hours/days trying to figure things out or get the latest geeky toy working. They just want things to work and look perfect right from the get-go. In this respect, Windows 7 and Snow Leopard remain untouched.Failure to understand these simple things is the very reason why Linux only has 1% market share.
@Katana314: examples? I can't think of anything that's really harder than Windows.Something like editing the registry on Windows is a complex task (even for advanced users like me), but you can do it if you're told exactly what to do and where. Same goes for using the command line, if you ever need to use it.
I have no idea what Linux you are using but I have a media system and chose Linux for it. I have run both Mint (Gloria) and Ubuntu (8 & 9) and NEVER had a problem running any video or DVD on it. On Ubuntu, I did install the "restricted" packages but did that through the Package Manager, not any terminal commands. Same with VLC. I suppose a could choose to run a DOS prompt in Windows and then claim to need to do that but that would be disengenous, wouldn't it.
theonlywizdumJan 14, 2010
Linux has changed a lot in 10 years, as has everything technology related. 10 years ago the majority of the population was using windows 98, which had no plug and play support, and drivers had to be installed for everything.
Closed AccountJan 15, 2010
Buried for recommending a priced app to use Windows software in Linux.
dmightxJan 17, 2010
You are not entitled to an opinion according to the linux fanboys.
azathothhJan 19, 2010
SJVN? buried!
sqtabJan 23, 2010
The only problem is this:Windows 7 and Snow Leopard are looking more and more POLISHED on the interface front.Who wants to use fugly-ass Ubuntu with Gnome that looks and feels like it's still 2002?Snow Leopard looks good. Windows 7 looks good. A dated interface is not going to attract any newbie to Linux/Ubuntu.
sqtabJan 27, 2010
I've probably used Linux longer than most people here have. Ubuntu is improving, but it is NOT polished.Even Ubuntu fans complain that Gnome is looking more and more dated.And I don't think I've seen a more unfocused desktop than KDE.I don't know about you, but I got Windows 7 for free, and the default setup is so much more pleasant to the eye and to use than Ubuntu.The average newbie doesn't want to spend hours/days trying to figure things out or get the latest geeky toy working. They just want things to work and look perfect right from the get-go. In this respect, Windows 7 and Snow Leopard remain untouched.Failure to understand these simple things is the very reason why Linux only has 1% market share.
co00l007Jan 27, 2010
That's quite true. I use Linux and it is easy to use. But I still prefer Windows :)
svivianJan 31, 2010
@Katana314: examples? I can't think of anything that's really harder than Windows.Something like editing the registry on Windows is a complex task (even for advanced users like me), but you can do it if you're told exactly what to do and where. Same goes for using the command line, if you ever need to use it.
the2dquartetFeb 2, 2010
"kernel" of importance ... good pun, even if it was unintended
0xceptionMar 3, 2010
@sqtab "I don't know about you, but I got Windows 7 for free" ? so you stole it?
elbebeMar 20, 2010
I have no idea what Linux you are using but I have a media system and chose Linux for it. I have run both Mint (Gloria) and Ubuntu (8 & 9) and NEVER had a problem running any video or DVD on it. On Ubuntu, I did install the "restricted" packages but did that through the Package Manager, not any terminal commands. Same with VLC. I suppose a could choose to run a DOS prompt in Windows and then claim to need to do that but that would be disengenous, wouldn't it.