Linux usability: a high priority for Linus Torvalds

[SoopaStar]

Its about time. That is probably what is keeping many users from it. With MS screwing people now, this is an opportune time for linux to adapt. I am buying a new PC now just for it...well...that or Unix. can't decide http://www.sysopt.com/news/gws/cdata/smile.gif

Paul

[emcron]

Have you ever use Mandrake 8.0? The installation process very easy. And when its all done its very simple to use. I've showed it to a few people where I work and they seem to like it and had very few problems. We have a section of about 5 computers where kids can come in a use if for homework, internet, papers, etc. I'm thinking of installing mandrake on all of those and see how it goes.

[Jixor]

sure Linux is easy to install and make documents on but its really a bummer when you try to install something

its not the part of it taking longer but it sometimes doesn't even work
on my linux box i tried to install Licq so i did the "configure" and the "gmake" and it keeps coming across some kind of error, now my Linux box refuses to use internet because it says i cant connect to the internet, the internet settings are for ethernet card (i have one) and netmask is the default one, my ip is autodetected and gateway is 142.59.0.1 (my ip starts with 142.59) it keeps saying cant connect so i took the hard drive out of my Windows box and plugged it into the Linux box.... BOOM my internet works fine

Linux is a great program but it seems to "fix" itself even when it's not broken

btw, are there self extracting things for linux?

[Surfer55]

I`m starting to learn about linux althought I haven`t use it yet I`m reading the basic so I can familiarized myself with it and I agree with SoopaStar; MS is trying to screwing people big time but they are going to end up screwing themselves.

[SoopaStar]

I have installed and used linux on many occasions. I use unix at work to get web stuff done. Its just not as much fun..but I keep goign back to it. I think the main concern (at least with me) is understanding the file system and directory structure.
Linux does have self extracting installers (RPM's in redhat and other brnds), and you can download binaries where you don't have to comile them yourself. The only problem with the pre-compiled binaries is they are not optimized for your system. Most linux users highly recomend comiling the source code yourself to get the most stability out of the app or game.
That is another shortcoming in linux. People don't want to do it, or they don't have the skills to do it themselves.


Paul

[pbharris]

i think that get linux to be more useable is pretty freaking important (hence it is big news when Linus thinks so too, for me). way to many current linux users give the standard response when asked for help - RTFM. while i can not recommend Reading The F***ing Manual enough this is the response that turns off most poeple. i am pretty sure most people have no desire to RTFM or any other manual for that matter in order to be able to use something.

[mikehawk]

Linux is great, but it does lack some features. USB Functionality is one of the features it lacks, sure most distro's support USB, but IT IS VERY PRIMITIVE!!! U can only use mice and printers, no netcams, no digital cameras, only mice and printers. Driver support is another feature it lacks, the drivers used on Linux machines are usually beta and very buggy. I know Linux well enough to say that it needs to have some set standards. I am running a Linux machine right now, and I like it, but too many things conflict with another. It does have upsides though, it is very fast and efficient, and the GUI's are very good looking and customizable. But there are too many downsides to Linux right now too mention, and they out number the upsides.

[michael-2]

The Linux operating system would be fine for me but I have already purchased and otherwise accumulated all the Windows application software I need to be productive, most of which has no equivalently effective counterpart released for Linux.
I could use WINE to run most Windows applications under Linux but that sort of defeats the purpose of running Linux.
I plan to take Linux more seriously when improved application software that runs natively under Linux is available.

[jcontonio]

I like Linux and all, but I will not use it as my main OS until the fonts on the screen look good. I feel retarded not being able to read anything on the monitor. Fix that, and come up with a standard installer/un-installer, and you got me for life.

[mourikise]

I like Linux very much and was impressed by the very first time I learned about it. But, although I don't like Microsoft and it's policies, I have to admit that I prefer Windows as my primary OS. It's very stable (I'm talking about the only version of Windows that is worth talking about, Win2K) and above all user friendly!

Now, Linux is becoming more and more better and user frienldy. I believe that the GUI is at least adequate (much better than Windows' GUI), but some features are still missing.
1) The fonts are indeed not so good.
2) The USB must find the support it deserves.
3) The application and/or hardware installation must become more easy

Especially about the 3rd point, I believe that in most applications one would barely notice a better performance between a customized compiled version and a precompiled one! Maybe the only thing that should be compiled by users is the kernel, since this is what affects most the system's performance. So, the precompiled applications must become a standard and the source must remain available for the hardcores!

Some may tell that this will create a new generation of "dump users" like those created by MS products, but if Linux wants to become more popular and become the primary OS of a majority of users, then it has to make some sucrifices!

[radio1_mike]

I installed Mandrake 8.0 a few months back; just to try it out. When I found that it did not support my sound card (Philips AE) and my video card (Radeon64) would be a problem- I erased it.

From what I saw, I liked, but the GUI was lacking. Linus, himself has been quoted as saying Microsoft makes great UIs, just not OSes.

This is true.

For me, I think I'll need a bit more polish on the present distributions. But, I'll tell ya, if it's a choice between product-actiavted XP, diamond-in-rough Linux or a non-supported Win98- I'll pick Linux.

[jdmuskrat]

I just installed SuSe 7.2 pro. it is ready for prime time. the only thing i need for full use at work is a lotus notes R5 client and a good converter for those **** complex WORD doc's. then i can be free from windows slavery. are you listening IBM?

[progsup]

I am an ICT-professional and use linux daily at work and home and here's my conclusion for this subject:

Linux is far too difficult to install for non IT-professionals. I remember OS/2 very clearly which was stable and superior in any way to windows and the end-user launch was such a complete failure that the product by now has almost completely redrawn.

The current GUI faces of Linux, which try to emulate windows, are like the windows 3.1 version. It's a start but basically this product won't be ready until you can hit one button and nothing more difficult then your name and the local time is asked in order to install all of one part of the os.

If this part is done well you'll need GUI interfaces to maintain devices and software as well up to where even a new kernel will be compiled without the user ever knowing about it.

Linux is also too much associated with nerds for 'normal' people to come even near it. It will need to shed its perfect but not understandable image. Right now if you say I know Linux people will look up to you and say Wow! There’s a fellow with brains. Ever saw this reaction for a windows user?

Linux is not and perhaps never will be the end-user desktop choice. It's far too difficult for end-users and not being any fun at that.

/usr/> _

My 5 cents here.