The future of linux

[jack at coats.org (Jack Coats)]

My wife restored her HP system reciently, at least the that comes with it
trashes EVERYTHING on the disk, and puts it back like it came from the
factory.  It just takes booting from the CD.  That isn't bad, but even with
the 'customization' done to get a WinDoze box working on a net, it is very
inconvenient.

For Linux to be accepted, it needs to work at least as 'apparently easily'
as WinDoze, but I hope we can go a little further with the ease of use.

I was playing with LinuxConf on my laptop.  It is getting better, but still
has a LONG way to go.

I was noticing that on the CD rom Sun with StarOffice 5.1, it has WinDoze
versions as well as Linux, Solaris, and more :) ... More toys to play with
:)
(The CD was in a RH 6.1 boxed set of some flavor)


----- Original Message -----
From: Noah Fields <noah at concord.org>
To: Derek Atkins <warlord at MIT.EDU>
Cc: Derek Martin <dmartin at ne.arris-i.com>; gnhlug <gnhlug at zk3.dec.com>; BLU
mailing list <discuss at Blu.Org>
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2000 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: The future of linux


> Derek I think you are right, the real issue is probably installing /
> upgrading applications. This tends to be the real baga-boo on all systems
> though, not just linux.
>
> The RedHat installation process is easy enough compared to win. But what
> happens when the system gets out of wack?  I personally think RPM is all
> fine and good, but the upgrade option only seems to work without a hitch
> about 25% of the time.  What linux really needs is an idiot proof software
> installer /  upgrader / fixer-uper.  Clearly RPM could be a good starting
> point.
>
> Note that windows users quite often hose their systems, and that Mom might
> not be able to restore her system to usability without a very painful call
> to some tech support service.  We need to be better than that, don't we?
>
>
> On 31 Jan 2000, Derek Atkins wrote:
> >
> > As for maintainence of the machine.. what happens if the machine
> > crashes?  Linux isn't quite as user-friendly in terms of coming
> > back online.
>
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