Suggestions from a Return User (prev v6x - now v12.04)

[nudnikian]

My experience so far w/ 12.04 is satisfactory. My aim is to transition thru the end of support for WinXP converting all my PCs and laptops, if Ubuntu will provide all the same functions.


Frankly I'm NOT interested in visual 3d transparency effects and I think Linux/Ubuntu is wasting development effort in that direction. I remember when Win Vista, Win7 transparency visual effects came out (I can't even remember what they called it) and it sent me out of the room laughing. I want stability and functional versatility. Trying to play catch-up with the GUI fashion fads is pointless. As everyone has noticed 3D is now out of fashion and the fisher-price toy eye-fone look is in. My advice is to develop a utilitarian desktop concept and stick with steady long term refinement The desktop overlapping window workspace metaphor is as classic and eternal as a "real life" chair and work table. When will the fashion touts start selling printer paper with cutesy rounded corners?


If you want t capture the disgruntled millions of steadfast WinXP users make WINE an integrated service of Ubuntu, and concentrate on adapting the work of thousands (tens of thousands?) of ex Windows applications developers. If you want to capture the eye-fone mentality, make android applets functional on Linux in a simulator.


My "updates available" inbox is flooded with developers tools, many of which have to do with Java or SQL development. My understanding from the WinXP malware standpoint is that many of these tools are simply unnecessary, superfluous or even dangerous for the typical non-coder end user. Why not include a check box or filter to exclude development tools from the update list, or at least describe them completely and color code them. For example we are warned of Java applets in browsers as a malware vector. Is this not as true in Linux as it is in Windows/OSX? Most of these daily updates are indecipherable to the average user. Yes we know the Linux community is disproportionately populated by programmers and scripting adepts.


What would I really prefer? A WinXP/Win7 GUI "clone" built on Linux. A stable GUI that doesn't change (like the steering wheel, brake and accelerator metaphor) and simply adds functions and refinements, cross platform codecs and media center capabilities over time. Save the kitschy stylistics are for interior decorators.


Does this contravene the GNU imperative? The MINT fork a better choice? Perhaps I should start over and try MINT. Anyway my fervent hope is that talented skilled Linux coders see the above disenfranchised XP user base as an opportunity for market share insofar as that concept applies to Free Linux.

[cariboo907]

There have been several distributions, that claim to be a replacement for Windows XP, and most of them haven't fared very well, for one reason or another. A Linux distribution isn't and can't be a Windows replacement, it is an alternative.

Ubuntu is designed to be used by an average computer user, and is set up, so that for the most part a user doesn't have to learn how to use it. The tools are there to do most daily task, surfing the web, managing email, creating text documents and spreadsheets, listening to music, and watching videos. What more do they need?

In my experience, most of the people still use XP, either own systems that won't run anything newer, or are computer enthusiasts, that for whatever reason don't want to run a newer version. For those that have older hardware, Ubuntu is not the solution, as the latest version (12.10) is designed to run on the same type of hardware as would run Windows 7 or newer.

For those with older hardware, there are fully supported derivatives, that will run on their systems, I'd suggest looking at Xubuntu or Lubuntu.

As far as seeing updates for developer tools, the only reason you personally are seeing them, is because you have the tools installed or you have Oracle java installed, which is no longer supported by Ubuntu due to licensing issues. The average user will never see those types of updates.

[mastablasta]

as i know the design was changed because Gnome changed it's design to current Gnome Shell. UBuntu instead opted to redevelop their Unity design (before seen mostly on netbooks) and make it in such a way that it would fit on PC as well as on Ubuntu TV, Tablet computer, mobile phone....

KDE went different way and they kept traditional desktop that is windows XP like, refined it a bit (if you use kick starter menu and additional widgets) and then developed separate interfaces for tablet (i think it's called Plasma active) and netbooks (Netbook Plasma). dont' want special effects in KDE? just turn them all off or install low fat package.

[3rdalbum]

If you want t capture the disgruntled millions of steadfast WinXP users make WINE an integrated service of Ubuntu, and concentrate on adapting the work of thousands (tens of thousands?) of ex Windows applications developers.

Bit of a fool's errand here; you'll never achieve compatibility "good enough" and if you do, Microsoft will just move the goalposts so you're no longer compatible. They've already done it very recently with their new Metro apps.

If you want to capture the eye-fone mentality, make android applets functional on Linux in a simulator.

I agree there. No idea why it hasn't been done yet as compatibility with Android is very achievable and would be one major selling point of an Ubuntu tablet.

My "updates available" inbox is flooded with developers tools, many of which have to do with Java or SQL development. My understanding from the WinXP malware standpoint is that many of these tools are simply unnecessary, superfluous or even dangerous for the typical non-coder end user.

They are updates for things already installed on your system. If you've installed something that uses Java, you'll get Java updates. If you've installed something that uses SQL (such as a music player) then you'll get SQL updates.

You won't get updates for things that aren't installed. And disabling Java updates just because it's not something a user will directly interact with - madness.

What would I really prefer? A WinXP/Win7 GUI "clone" built on Linux. A stable GUI that doesn't change (like the steering wheel, brake and accelerator metaphor) and simply adds functions and refinements, cross platform codecs and media center capabilities over time. Save the kitschy stylistics are for interior decorators...Anyway my fervent hope is that talented skilled Linux coders see the above disenfranchised XP user base as an opportunity for market share insofar as that concept applies to Free Linux.

That's not going to work. User interfaces change depending on the features people want and need. You can't just say "This is the user interface, and every feature that we'll need in the future can be added" - things rapidly become inconsistent, confusing, and behind-the-times as you find modern features simply can't be added to the existing framework.

If you want something that doesn't change, then computers are not for you. Linux, definitely more so.

You may say that car interfaces don't change, but really they do - on newer cars, the handbrake is now where the clutch used to be (a pedal). You turn the key to start the engine instead of hand cranking or pressing a Starter Engine pedal. You have power windows and mirrors instead of manual movement. There's even experiments with combining the brake and accelerator as one pedal.

When flying cars become a reality, they probably won't use the same interface as ground cars.