Linux apps don't exactly hold a monopoly on ambiguous error messages. Enjoy this screen capture of an error I received from ClearCase:
I started in DOS at age 11, and now nearly 20 years later with a professional career in software development I can honestly say that I am completely unimpressed with the mass of Linux derivatives and their clunky and/or non-existent UI and completely ambiguous error messages.
If Linux developers want people to use their creations they need to understand how a typical computer user operates. If they don’t want Linux to operate like Windows that’s fine, but they do need to make it a non-hemorrhoid-inducing activity to get something as simple as a notepad installed; much less, something as complex as WINE.
Linux apps don't exactly hold a monopoly on ambiguous error messages. Enjoy this screen capture of an error I received from ClearCase:
I am in complete agreement with you on this. As such, I will warn you that you will be flamed for your heretical statements.
??? When did you last check out GNOME or KDE?
...they do need to make it a non-hemorrhoid-inducing activity to get something as simple as a notepad installed; much less, something as complex as WINE.
uh, stuff like notepad comes pre-installed, just like windows. As far as installing complex applications, a simple command like "yum install " or "apt-get install " searches the web for the the program, downloads it and all needs prerequisites, and performs all the necessary installation without any further input from the user.
It must've been quite some time ago that you last looked at Linux.
I see the solution to a lot of the Linux problem in doing two things. First of all, put the OS on a chip, including WINE.
Then create an applications organizational structure based on desired applications and computer resources, that orders, downloads, and installs applications for maximum efficiency. This would be done online for the user.
The end result would be something like an ancient batch file, but a drive image as well. Modified with each software addition or deletion to have the best possible system.
I believe that the Linux community must come to terms with the fact that their products must address the issues you point out.
Sadly, the approach of stating, or at least implying strongly, that the average “windoze” users aren't as smart as Linux users remains prevalent.
I hope that the Linux community can find their way past this problem eventually. Watching the evolution of Linux over the years, I think that some of the developers are beginning to “get it”, but it will still take a while.
I enjoy driving a stick-shift vehicle. It's fun to manually control the acceleration, deceleration, torque curve, etc., but my wife (who has, and can drive one) is only interested in owning an automatic. Why? Because she sees the vehicle as simply a means to an end (i.e., getting from here to there without giving any thought to the vehicle).
I could spend a lot of time repeating how much more control over the vehicle she could have, how much more enjoyable it would be, etc. But that would only be received by her as smug and irritating, and it certainly wouldn't change her mind.
I think that Linux devotees continuing to “talk down” to users of windows (or other GUI-faced programs), will only come across as smug and condescending.
I don't think “command line” inputs are ever going to overcome GUI clicking for the average PC user.
It seems that Linux is more for hobbyists than for practical computing.
There are too many flavors and no real direction.
I have played around with a few of the LiveCD versions. Most of them have failed to recognize all of my PC peripherals.
I have considered buying a cheap PC just to play around with Linux, but so far, I don't see much advantage to that.
[I started with DOS/MSDOS in the early 80s. I went kicking-and-screaming into Windows in the early 90s because that was the direction business environments were going.]
Take a look at Ubuntu 8.04LTS. I’m trying it out as a Windows replacement and its pretty slick. It runs perfectly on my Dell laptop and I have yet to need the command line.
Linux junkies berate Ubuntu as a “beginners” or dumbed-down distro, but that’s because one can do most everything using the GUI instead of command-line. I consider that a plus.
This should come as no surprise. There's no profit motive to compete in this space and both Microsoft and Apple spend billions on it so expecting "free" software to compete in this area is more than a bit optimistic. Linux in the home is best used in embedded devices where the "UI" is completely hidden anyway. Chances are your router, settop box, etc. are already running a Linux version of some sort today.
When is the last time you used Linux and what distro was it?
These days, you can do anything you like in Linux without touching the CLI. But as someone who started out on DOS, I'm sure you can appreciate the efficiencies of using it, and fully programmable shell scripting.
BTW: I started with DOS too, 1.0 when it was new.
