Re: Linux Desktop Readiness Thread
Is that easier than in Windows, where all you have to do is click the file? No.
Umm yes actually quite a bit easier, Feisty will install w/e plugins are necessary for playback as soon as the user OK's it. Even if it doesn't, installing the good, the bad, and the ugly plug in packs for Gstreamer takes like 20 seconds and can all be done in GUI. If you ever had to deal with codec installation in Windows when it doesn't either come installed or auto-installed you know how much of a hassle it is. If you don't happen to know the names of the codes you gonna have some serious problems.
No, I'm not trying to say that Windows is perfect -- no one here is. However, what I am trying to say is that Linux isn't the cure-all that some people think it is, and there are a number of obstacles in the way of adoption by average desktop users. Sure, some of these obstacles are what makes Linux Linux, but people need to realize they are there and find ways to counterbalance them if they want Linux to get a hold in the mainstream.
Also, if people want to convert Windows users or what-not, then people should focus more on what's good about Linux then what's bad about Windows and Microsoft. For example, instead of telling someone that Microsoft is evil or whatever, try showing someone the benefits of Linux. For example, one thing that I find amazing about Ubuntu is its software repositories. If I want a piece of software, all I have to do is type in a few keywords and click a few buttons. That honestly is like magic.
Very much agree with every word you said except that Ubuntu philosophy doesn't mention converting anyone at all, it just strives to be an easy to use OS. In fact Mark Shuttleworth said more than a few times that his goal is to get those who are not current users of any OS to use Ubuntu instead of something proprietory.
Feba, but using sound in one's browser is an everyday task. Sound shouldn't be too much to ask for.
As have been pointed out, that is your experience is not necessarily that of the majority of users. Gutsy should have no problem with it whatsoever with Gnash comming by default.
1. First of all, one of the most common wireless cards for labtops are the bcm43xx cards. I would like to see a corporation go through and install ndiswrapper and configure it for say 300 labtops, while you can maybe write a script for it, it would be nice just to have those 300 labtops work with no problems. My wireless card still won't automatically connect to a network when i turn it on. While it may only take a few seconds to connect to one, its also pleasent to have it just work. Even somebody with good computer knowledge could have trouble discovering how to make it work.
The most common? Where do you get your data? Most laptops I seen use Intel, Centrino is the best platform for mobile computing anyway. Nothing "just works" in Windows, it all requires drivers and believe me I had a fair share of wireless problems with Windows if you read the previous page I documented some of them. I had no wireless problems with any of my laptops at all.
2. Graphics cards are another issue. While you can blame this on the company who makes them, its still a problem that exists. It's like if you had a biofueled powered car. Most gas stations simply don't allow you to fuel up. Even though it's not the fault of the car, you can't say the car is ready for mass marketing.
The only one that actually has problems is ATI. Intel and nVidia are just fine, I even got hibernate working on my laptop with it running along with Beryl (didn't do anything to make it work either).
3. My logitech 5 button mouse only utilizes 3 of the buttons. I think there exists a way to fix this but as stated before, most people don't want to take time looking up ways to fix it. I remember trying to fix it a few years ago on an older installation of of kubuntu. I ended up with a xorg error on boot-up. It took me, having another computer with internet, and an hour or so to be able to fix this. For linux to succeed for the majority of people, issues like this cannot exist.
My touchpad has two normal buttons, vertical and horizontal scroll on the touchpad itself and a multi-directional button on the middle. Pressing the up/down on the button scrolls, pressing left/right goes back/forward in Firefox. This is default setup never did anything for it.
Ubuntu has made great progress towards becoming "ready" but i would say it is not quite there yet. Its that "just working" ability that people like.
Ubuntu has "just worked" for me ever since about Breezy. Point is that your your mileage WILL vary no matter what OS you use. Aysiu has posted a while ago about a pretty serious problem he encountered with OS X. I've had very serious incompatibility issues with every Windows version. It only seems that OS X and Windows "just work" because they are preinstalled, pick up an Ubuntu Dell or a System76 and then tell me what problems you have getting wireless to work.
Last edited by prizrak; July 4th, 2007 at 05:01 AM.
Since I get asked alot, I am originally from Ukraine but am Russian by nationality. My nick means specter in Russian.
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