I failed

[IdoMcFly]

I'm going to switch my girlfriend back to windows : sound problem (sblive 5.1 24bit), media streaming problem (mms:// can't played), openoffice presentation table handling problem, MS Office compatibility to work with her friends, lack of smileys (Smiley Central)... all these make her very upset on her computer, I re-enabled her windows back, and she was so happy that she stayed with it...

Ubuntu is real good (I use it) but it is not completly ready for computer newbies :-?

Maybe in the release after Breezy one :)

[totalshredder]

And yet you are still going to get 10 replies telling you linux does work with newbies.

(I personally agree with you)

[GarySaved]

Actually, you did not fail.

No operating system can be suitable for everyone. I have never liked M$, so I have tried every operating system that has come along for the last 20 years. I kind of liked OS/2, but is never had a chance, and what was that GUI that could be installed over DOS, like 15 years ago? (I did like that)

No matter how well an operating system works, some people are not going to like it.

That is the whole idea here. We are just giving people one more choice.

Gary

[eBopBob]

You didn’t fail – Not at all.

I’ve never been a believer that one operating system works for everyone, whether that operating system is Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Apple OS X, etc.

Just because Linux works for us doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. It’s important to remember that everyone wants something different from their operating system, and they will choose and use an operating system which suits their needs.

[IdoMcFly]

What I wanted to do is to make her using free software. 100% Its true that Linux is not totally user friendly yet. A long path have been done since the first time I tried it (it was like 7 years ago) and that's why I use it now : It has become user firendly enough for me. But I'm no newbie anymore, so that's why.

What really pissed me off is that, its just hardware compatibility issue and some interoperability with some jerk closed file format :/

I really hope that next version will allow us to just plug and play for more hardware (I know, there is the constructor support problem :( ) and easier interoperability with Windows. I really believe in Free software but we need more firendlier Linux :) I also know it's just a matter of time... ;)

[eBopBob]

Another thing, why does everyone claim that Linux “isn’t ready for newbies”?
What happens when you come across someone who isn’t a newbie, but still prefers Windows for their personal use?

This is something I’ve always failed to comprehend in regards to the Linux world, maybe it’s because – as anyone can see from my avatar – a British Conservative and believe in things such as “Right to Choose”.

The point is – Why can someone not choose to and use Windows if they so wish?
The important thing, in my opinion at least, is that there is choice – and there is – and that the person is capable of choosing which operating system they want to use for their personal machine.

I don’t deny that it would be nice if Linux did become somewhat easier to use, although I disagree in regards to using Linux just because it’s not Windows, or so that you can “fight the evil rich Microsoft”.

[somuchfortheafter]

funny my gf saw ubuntu on my laptop and loves it, as soon as she gets a new pc she wants to switch lol.. she likes using gnome with gdesklets prettyness lol.

[Dave88]

I think the best way to start with linux is to buy another hard-drive, say 80gb and put linux on that then you just switch between the two os's.

I

[totalshredder]

funny my gf saw ubuntu on my laptop and loves it, as soon as she gets a new pc she wants to switch lol.. she likes using gnome with gdesklets prettyness lol.

gDesklets sells 'em like nothing else. That's what finally convinced my family and some friends to try it out. Nothing like eye candy to draw a crowd :-D

Luke

[RastaMahata]

It's ok if someone doesnt like linux.
But the thing that bothers me is that people think that viruses and spyware are normal. When I tell them "Linux doesnt have spyware, and virtually, its virus free (if you dont run the whole time as root)", they go "Yeah, but it's hard to use, and it doesnt have Office, nor MSN messenger!"...

So I think it all boils down to the fact that each user sacrifices something to have what they want. I have sacrificed gaming, webcam messaging, and easy to use video tools (I like to backup my dvds and burn vcds with subtitles for my friends :P).

I did the test with my sister, installing firefox and openoffice in her windows machine. She loves firefox, but the hates openoffice and its Presentation program, as it isn't as intuitive as PowerPoint (besides, in her university, they ask for certain styles only found in powerpoint). So she kept firefox, but she uninstalled openoffice. So I think no linux for her right now...

[angrylittleman]

Don't feel too bad....MS still can't different versions of office to play fair with each other.....

[somuchfortheafter]

you could try crossover with office xp/2000

[gil-galad]

Considering that Smiley Central is spyware, I don't how not running it is a bad thing :smile:

[IdoMcFly]

The point is – Why can someone not choose to and use Windows if they so wish?
The important thing, in my opinion at least, is that there is choice – and there is – and that the person is capable of choosing which operating system they want to use for their personal machine.

I don’t deny that it would be nice if Linux did become somewhat easier to use, although I disagree in regards to using Linux just because it’s not Windows, or so that you can “fight the evil rich Microsoft”.

I want her to use Linux because :
1/ she can't afford a license...
2/ i don't want to clean virus/spyware every week...

[IdoMcFly]

It's ok if someone doesnt like linux.
But the thing that bothers me is that people think that viruses and spyware are normal. When I tell them "Linux doesnt have spyware, and virtually, its virus free (if you dont run the whole time as root)", they go "Yeah, but it's hard to use, and it doesnt have Office, nor MSN messenger!"...

So I think it all boils down to the fact that each user sacrifices something to have what they want. I have sacrificed gaming, webcam messaging, and easy to use video tools (I like to backup my dvds and burn vcds with subtitles for my friends :P).

I did the test with my sister, installing firefox and openoffice in her windows machine. She loves firefox, but the hates openoffice and its Presentation program, as it isn't as intuitive as PowerPoint (besides, in her university, they ask for certain styles only found in powerpoint). So she kept firefox, but she uninstalled openoffice. So I think no linux for her right now...

Yeah it is the big issue with my gf : they ask PowerPoint presentation and OpenOffice Presentation module is just not advanced enough (no table support, that really sucks...)

[IdoMcFly]

Considering that Smiley Central is spyware, I don't how not running it is a bad thing :smile:

Is it ?? omg, all her friends are using it :/

[HungSquirrel]

and what was that GUI that could be installed over DOS, like 15 years ago? (I did like that)
Windows 3.1? Yeah, it was awesome back in the day.

[totalshredder]

Just for the future; there's a package in synaptic that lets you play "mss" streams/videos/whatever ;) ... Just in case you get to try again!

Luke

[IdoMcFly]

Just for the future; there's a package in synaptic that lets you play "mss" streams/videos/whatever ;) ... Just in case you get to try again!

Luke
thanks ! but on my box, I don't have any problem... but maybe I've installed something and forgot about it...

[totalshredder]

thanks ! but on my box, I don't have any problem... but maybe I've installed something and forgot about it...

I so much know what you mean. Whenever I reinstall ubuntu for any reason, I ALWAYS forget something, and it annoys me so much. There's always that one little thing... :)

Luuke

[IdoMcFly]

I think a lot about all the stuff that make my gf prefer Win... and one thing that can be worked out to make a more user friendly linux is system feedback.

For instance, when you plug an usb key, a tooltip should appear to say that a new drive appears and that we need to unmount it before unpluggin (she told me win does this). This kind of tooltip should be every where (with an option to deactivated them all and a check box "don't tell me again")

what do you think ?

[poofyhairguy]

what do you think ?

Quite honestly, all of that junk is the reason I used Windows 2000 for four years after XP came out.

Plus, if you want a Linux to do that it exists. Its called SUSE.

[poofyhairguy]

You didn't fail. Ubuntu didn't fail, Linux didn't fail. Not every OS is perfect for everyone. Linux is great because it is free in every sense. Not everyone can afford Windows and I believe it is good that there is an alternative- beggers can't be choosers (the other alternative is to be a leaching software pirate). I really enjoy Linux, and so do you obviously. Trying to convert people might not work. Lead by example- let them come to you when their Windows is hosed by malware/viruses. Then they will be less picky.



1/ she can't afford a license...


Then how does she use Windows? I assume you mean that she can't afford a new version in the future.

[karia]

Ubuntu is real good (I use it) but it is not completly ready for computer newbies :-?
I think it's quite good for newbies... I use it and it's my first distro... there were of course some problems but it's ok now... :razz:

[IdoMcFly]

I think it's quite good for newbies... I use it and it's my first distro... there were of course some problems but it's ok now... :razz:
I'm talking about computer newbie, not Linux newbie...

[karia]

ups... :roll:

[nocturn]

Then how does she use Windows? I assume you mean that she can't afford a new version in the future.

I cannot speak for the poster, but most people I know that use windows either use the version that was installed on the computer when they bought it (about 20%) or use a pirated version (80%). I don't even know a single person who has an MSOffice license, yet all of them use it.

This is sort of a handicap to Linux, because a lot of users see
Ubuntu: 0 € = Windows + Office: 0€

[nocturn]

I'm going to switch my girlfriend back to windows : sound problem (sblive 5.1 24bit), media streaming problem (mms:// can't played), openoffice presentation table handling problem, MS Office compatibility to work with her friends, lack of smileys (Smiley Central)... all these make her very upset on her computer, I re-enabled her windows back, and she was so happy that she stayed with it...

Ubuntu is real good (I use it) but it is not completly ready for computer newbies :-?

Maybe in the release after Breezy one :)

The thing is that you use Newbie in the sense of a newbie Windows user. Someone who learned computers on Linux (like my mother) is equally lost when given a windows desktop.

I recently ran into this reverse problem, I had a avi file, XVID encoded. It plays without problems on mplayer.
I popped the CD in a WinXP machine (not mine), and WMP wouldn't play it (only sound), automatic downloading of the CODEC failed with some cryptic message (I know how to fix it, but that is not the point as I'm hardly a newbie).

[nocturn]

I don’t deny that it would be nice if Linux did become somewhat easier to use, although I disagree in regards to using Linux just because it’s not Windows, or so that you can “fight the evil rich Microsoft”.

I use Free Software primary for moral reasons. As I stated before, computers are becoming vital for interaction with society, much as reading and writing once were.
Free Software guarantees access to digital age skills to anyone while proprietary software is focussed on selling the rights of such access to those who have money.

Point being, Linux wins for me on techinal grounds against Windows. Yet I could just as easy buy a Mac (which is also Unix). What the others do not have is the GPL.

[poofyhairguy]

This is sort of a handicap to Linux, because a lot of users see
Ubuntu: 0 € = Windows + Office: 0€

Personally when I find an older person doing this (someone with something on the line like children) I go **** Cheney on them and say "wow, you are really willing to risk using pirated software? But if you get caught, that is thousands of dollars out of your child's mouth- and people get caught everyday." Then I at least show them OpenOffice.

I think I have become a worse person once I realized that the best way to force good computer habbits with a lot of people is through fear....

[poofyhairguy]

I recently ran into this reverse problem, I had a avi file, XVID encoded. It plays without problems on mplayer.
I popped the CD in a WinXP machine (not mine), and WMP wouldn't play it (only sound), automatic downloading of the CODEC failed with some cryptic message (I know how to fix it, but that is not the point as I'm hardly a newbie).

LOL! Also try opening an OpenOffice doc in word- it won't work!