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Linux Works Even for Total Newbies
Really Linux.com ^ | 2006-03-07 | Rob Milner

Posted on 03/07/2006 7:08:01 AM PST by N3WBI3

From our "Linux is for Total Newbies" series, courteousy of Robert Milner for reallylinux.com.

Still hesitant to try Linux? I'd like to share a revelation with you. See, for me, Linux adoption always seemed a bit of a battle to get out there on the desktop. No, I'm not talking about getting it installed. The major flavor providers have made stellar strides in set-up, making it a breeze.

Take a look for yourself at the powerful and useful features in Debian, Fedora, Mandriva, and SuSe.

There are easy to learn graphical interfaces like Gnome, KDE, or XFCE to name a few. Installation today is often simpler than any Windows full install. Therefore, no I'm not talking about installation and use. I'm talking about winning the hearts and minds of the Joe-average user.

Normally, when you mention Linux to them you get an expression on their faces as if you had asked them the square root of 232,543. They just don't know it's there. More importantly, they don't know they have a choice. Even though they are not necessarily tied to their operating system from one particular big, famous vendor.

It's with this in mind that I tackled an infected desktop PC and a laptop. In the interests of anonymity (and just to keep things exciting) I'll name the owner Jen.

Jen came to me with her desktop PC, that she had never been too happy with. She had described its erratic behaviour and instability and its growing problems. She had this machine built and installed by a self appointed expert. As 99% of you have probably guessed by now, it wasn't just infected, it was crawling with viruses and spyware. The laptop had been acquired from said expert and this time the advice was that Anti-Virus, Firewall, and Anti-Spyware measures were not necessary under Windows XP. What's that? Not necessary under XP?

If you have a similar idea, then please review a few articles like this and this to understand the dangers. And you may want to review this article to see the difference regarding Linux use.

It was at this point becoming a bit of bug-bear that I had to re-build yet another two machines that were so compromised and so infected. Besides, I had several major question marks regarding their licensing, making them pretty useless PCs. See, I'm the type of bloke that keeps my nose clean. I don't do piracy. When I told her the price of buying two replacement, properly licensed copies of Windows XP, she wasn't impressed, and suddenly much more aware of the true cost of ownership of proprietary software.

It is indeed expensive paying for your operating system in the hundreds. The point not to miss is that she did not desire to continue spending money on OS licensing and software replacements -- indefinitely.

So here was my chance to share an insight with her no one else had done. I told her about an operating system that was free, secure, and stable. One that would significantly reduce her fears of another infection and that would get the job done just as well as anything else. And she did not have to pay hundreds to own it.

I could see that I was challenging the MS comfort zone. To help reduce anxiety, I also mentioned that there was always the option to go back to what she was used to. And to her credit, she said yes, she'd try it.

For those who caution this approach, perhaps I should briefly explain. Jen is not losing access to essential files and software by making such a move. She will not lose access to her essential programs like Photoshop (Linux GiMP handles PSD files and with GimpShop you get an interface similar to Photoshop).

"Jen is not losing access to essential files and software by making such a move."

She will also have full access to all her Microsoft Office files (OpenOffice works without issue with ALL Office formats). Even if Jen were to use more extensive things like databases, OpenOffice.org includes database importing for ODBC and JDBC -- if she ever got into all that.

She doesn't throw away access to her DVD movies (a few great Linux players include MPlayer and Xine) and she doesn't lose out on access to things like her work PDF files. Moreover, there are plenty of well written beginner documents on nearly every Linux subject. Whew. Okay, hopefully the point is made. She can try it out and see whether she likes it.

So what happened? Now writing this some time after the event, I'm please to say: unabashed success! On both PCs, Jen has taken to Linux like a duck to water. Jen is now more productive, the machines are stable and have yet to let her down. She is spending more time on her computer. For me, what summed it up brilliantly was the unprompted praise as I got from her one night. She said, "That Linux thingy is much better than Windows."

The downside? I've created a Frozen Bubble addict. If you are not familiar with the game, you ought to try it. It's one of thousands (actually over 10,300) of exceptional programs that run on Linux.

And this takes me to the revelation. No, not the Frozen bubble bit. The fact that a home user who was only ever a through and through proprietary addict, so seamlessly migrated to Linux -- and enjoyed it. What does she get? Reliability. Cost saving. Security. And what do I get in return for sharing this? Less call back. Less fear of another clean-up operation. Warm cosy feeling. Linux works, even for a total newbie.

Linux. Try it. You might like it.

AUTHOR BIO: When he's not making a noise on the drums, indulging in surreal multi-media urges or helping on reallylinux.com, Manfromthezoo (Rob Milner) pays the bills by working in technical support for a U.K. Hospital, supporting thousands of users on different sites. This article comes courtesy of Robert Milner, published by reallylinux.com with permission.

This brief opinion piece should not be construed as factual information, and only contains the opinions and personal experiences of the author at the time of publication. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft, Microsoft Windows and WindowsXP are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation both in the United States and Internationally. Notations MS and XP are included and refer to Microsoft Corporation and Windows XP. All other trademarks or registered trademarks in this opinion piece belong to their respective owners.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: linux; opensource
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1 posted on 03/07/2006 7:08:03 AM PST by N3WBI3
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To: N3WBI3; ShadowAce; Tribune7; frogjerk; Salo; LTCJ; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; amigatec; Fractal Trader; ..

OSS PING

If you are interested in the OSS ping list please mail me

2 posted on 03/07/2006 7:09:02 AM PST by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
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To: N3WBI3

Anyone looking to try linux out for size i'd suggest "Simply Mepsis 3.4-3" its "live cd" which means it will boot and load off your cd player and you can test it out without installing it. If you like it you can install it to your Hard drive. I tried it on my laptop and it auto-detected my WIFI stuff on my IBM Thinkpad and didn't have to do anything. Very easy.
Thanks to a couple of people here that mentioned it to me.


3 posted on 03/07/2006 7:15:45 AM PST by Echo Talon
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To: N3WBI3
I've been saying this for quite a while now. Linux is easier to use once you've learned it. It just works, and the security is better.

I've also found that I don't miss the eye-candy games that cost a small fortune. I can play Quake, though, and Diablo II if I want.

People don't realize I'm not on a Windows box when I send them documents I've created, and I can do anything I want on-line without worry.

4 posted on 03/07/2006 7:16:21 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Echo Talon
Here's a list of Live CD distros that people can choose from as well.

There are a couple on that list I've tried out personally and can recommend.

5 posted on 03/07/2006 7:18:09 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: N3WBI3

Frozen Bubble? It came with my Knoppix-Debian distro, but I've never tried it. Be back soon :-)


6 posted on 03/07/2006 7:19:03 AM PST by cloud8
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To: ShadowAce
OK, I just have the Mepsis CD, I didn't install it. I'm on XP right now and will probably stick with it, Linux is easier than it was 3 years ago but I'm a windows person i guess, i just feel kind of uncomfortable using Linux... not sure if that makes sense? just feels alien/foreign to me.
7 posted on 03/07/2006 7:23:03 AM PST by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon
just feels alien/foreign to me.

I understand that perfectly. Windows does the same thing to me. :)

It's just a matter of doing things differently. That is why I mentioned that the user would have to get over the learning curve before truly appreciating how easy it is to use. Some people don't want to do that. That's fine. I have no beef with that. I just wanted to say that there is a light at the end of that curve that is worth working for.

8 posted on 03/07/2006 7:29:34 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Echo Talon

Sure it makes sense, you have to use what your comfortable with and some people just don't want to switch its an obstacle that both Mac and Linux faces..


9 posted on 03/07/2006 7:31:04 AM PST by N3WBI3 (If SCO wants to go fishing they should buy a permit and find a lake like the rest of us..)
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To: ShadowAce
mepis here is the link if anyone wants the link for for an easy try at Linux, actually I downloaded my copy of Mepis off a bit torrent site but... anyhew...
10 posted on 03/07/2006 7:34:44 AM PST by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon
but I'm a windows person i guess, i just feel kind of uncomfortable using Linux... not sure if that makes sense? just feels alien/foreign to me.

Sure it makes sense... you looked at the alternatives and chose what works best for you. That's all this is really about, isn't it? Letting people know there are other choices out there, and letting them decide which one they want to use? Some folks will prefer Windows, some Macs, and some Linux (or other BSD or Unix type system). Heck, there are even some OS/2 holdouts out there still.

11 posted on 03/07/2006 7:35:58 AM PST by kevkrom ("...no one has ever successfully waged a war against stupidity" - Orson Scott Card)
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To: kevkrom

yea, Linux seems nice now i just wish i would have learned on that. Kinda like going from a standard keyboard to one of those ergonomic ones.


12 posted on 03/07/2006 7:39:27 AM PST by Echo Talon
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To: N3WBI3; ShadowAce

Sorry, it seems a wee "Pollyanna" to me. This article glosses over (actually ignores) some difficulties for the newcomer to Linux (as this newcomer posts out of Novell/SuSE 9.2 Professional).

Linux is decidedly NOT ready to replace the Windows Desktop. While i personally enjoy it, and learn new things every day, the average user wants to get on the net, do a little bit of office stuff, store photos, and so on. They don't have the time to learn the excellent alternatives that _nix can offer.

Aside from that, as Shadow Ace and others could tell you, configuring Dialup (internal modems) under Linux can be a nightmare of Google Chases to find out what is needed (often to discover that it is not possible for one's particular system.

Another example: Firefox Macromedia flash Plugins for the x86_64 system. Not pretty, and i don't know if it's even possible. It certainly ISN'T possible for the average user.

Even Linux publications assume that the reader knows far more than (s)he actually does know. The only really 'readable' Linux material i've ever seen is published by Marcel Gagne. Linux HOW-TOs that come with distributions are often outdated, and many times they're not applicable to the particular distribution.

Yes, the system is impressive, but the community has a LONG way to go to make it appealing to the average user.

BTW, i'm not completely ignorant, but my experience is out of the DOS 3.x days. The technology, both hardware and software, is changing to fast for folks like me.


13 posted on 03/07/2006 7:43:46 AM PST by Calvinist_Dark_Lord (I have come here to kick @$$ and chew bubblegum...and I'm all outta bubblegum! ~Roddy Piper)
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To: Echo Talon

I second that. It's one of the easiest.


14 posted on 03/07/2006 7:58:57 AM PST by FLAMING DEATH (And now, for something completely different: www.donaldlancow.com)
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To: Echo Talon
I started using Linux about 3 years ago, when I got a Knoppix CD. Knoppix has made great strides then, (I think it was version 3.2...now it's version 4) but in my opinion, Mepis is about the user-friendliest Linux I can think of.

I was uncomfortable with Linux at first (read: confused), but once I got playing with it, I started to like it more and more. I actually went so far as to make my own desktop theme to honor my favorite college football team...(click picture for full size)

Image hosting by Photobucket

(You can't see it in this picture, but the wallpaper is Mountaineer Field in Morgantown)

Once you start playing around with Linux and really getting into it, Windows will feel like something from Fisher-Price.

15 posted on 03/07/2006 8:15:30 AM PST by FLAMING DEATH (And now, for something completely different: www.donaldlancow.com)
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To: FLAMING DEATH

cool! :)


16 posted on 03/07/2006 8:18:37 AM PST by Echo Talon
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To: kevkrom; Echo Talon
Heck, there are even some OS/2 holdouts out there still.

I have some friends who still swear by Amiga OS and NeXT. Those are literally their primary computers to this day.

17 posted on 03/07/2006 8:27:39 AM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat

OMG! LOL


18 posted on 03/07/2006 8:37:25 AM PST by Echo Talon
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To: FLAMING DEATH

I was going to replace XP on a laptop I have with Linux, but I decided instead to use it as a benchmark for ease of install and use. The day I can crank up a live distro and have it recognize everything including the built-in wireless with no extra effort (beyond plugging in the WAP config) I will consider it ready for general "Joe user" use. None I have tried work yet.

No suggestions, solutions, etc., please. As far as wireless is concerned, my criteria is to plug it in, boot, open an obvious config dialog, input my wireless settings, and be surfing.


19 posted on 03/07/2006 8:42:23 AM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: FLAMING DEATH

Aha - I'm a user of multiple OSs (candidate for execution on FR, I know) including XP and Redhat but have to say I love the wallpaper! I'm in Mon County as I type this.........


20 posted on 03/07/2006 8:47:19 AM PST by relictele (No, I don't have a discount card. Yes, I know about the program. No, I don't wish to join today.)
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