- People are used to Corel Draw, Photoshop,.Net,
Alternatives are there such as Scribus, GAIM, Mono Project but people are not aware. If someone joins any institute for DTP course, he would have to be taught using CorelDraw, Photoshop because, "most" of DTP providers use these.
The list can go on. Please everyone, do not discuss the individual cases as the intention is only to highlight the problems.
I haven't. But, people who are a part of the list, would know their alternatives, though they cannot be "the" alternative.
*snip*
kudos rony! You hit the nail on the head :) But you need to agree that KDE and GNOME still have a long way before they can become as userfriendly as Windows UI.
This brings a thought to my mind. Question: The subscribers of this mailing list, have migrated from Windows to any Linux Distribution, OR have been using GNU/Linux right from the day he/she started learning computers?
Because, there would be some people, who like the Windows GUI because they were introduced and taught about the GUI and they would generally resist a change from that GUI to KDE or GNOME.
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On Friday 19 May 2006 03:10, Roshan wrote:
This brings a thought to my mind. Question: The subscribers of this mailing list, have migrated from Windows to any Linux Distribution, OR have been using GNU/Linux right from the day he/she started learning computers?
Because, there would be some people, who like the Windows GUI because they were introduced and taught about the GUI and they would generally resist a change from that GUI to KDE or GNOME.
Roshan, personally, I have migrated from the Windows platform. Well, I hadn't used Windows XP prior to using Linux. I used Linux on and off ( as a hobby ) while using Windows to do all "serious" stuff. But my main requirements were to program in C/C++. I used to use DevC++. I still remember the day I switched from Windows to RHLinux. Never looked back :P. At first I did have some problem adjusting but now alls well. And no I dont crave to use XP because it simply keeps crashing on me :/
But I am an exception. People who are total newbies can't think for themselves and easily get confused. So they cant really use KDE/GNOME which have gotchas. This is where Windows UI scores.
But I am an exception. People who are total newbies can't think for themselves and easily get confused. So they cant really use KDE/GNOME which have gotchas. This is where Windows UI scores.
People who are total newbies and can't think for themselves have the very same problem even with windows (xp or otherwise). So windows UI doesn't really score there.
Also, you're confusing between computer literate users, regular computer users and power users.
A computer literate user simply uses the applications, not the OS per say. Ask a user of this category what file associations are and where the control panel is and you'll get a blank stare.
For these users switching is slow, but the easiest. They often don't have the mental block of "Windows vs Linux". Their question always is "Will I get my Emails?" or "Will I get to chat?" or "Will my documents remain intact?" and not "Will I be able to change file associations with ease?"
Regular computer users are those who have had a lot of experience using computers for daily work (e.g. your regular DTP guy or the home user lovingly called by all as the home luser ;-) ). These guys have "hands on" experience of the lame OS (windows) and its ways and hence complain if it doesn't work the same way as windows. For example, where the heck is my C:\ drive in linux?? These are also the guys who tend to assume they know a lot about computer systems and end up with loads of spyware/viruses/trojans courtesy of all the silly shareware programs they download and crack sites they visit.
The above description is highly stereotypical, but such users are the most difficult to migrate away from windows. These users have not really understood the computer; they simply know how to do their work through routine. one may argue that these guys also install programs. But look closely. Installation is defined as "click on the next and finish buttons". Since they have to actually "think" to use the programs anywhere else they find it more difficult to switch over to any other OS.
A power user is a refined form of the regular computer user. He/She has channeled his energies into constructive working (moreso exploring) on the OS
These guys do think when they use their computers. These are the guys who will be impacted by the file associations and control panel problems. In these guys the main differentiating factor is willingness to explore anything else. Those who are comfortable in their zone will crib at the first opportunity and quit. Then there's the others who try to give up their old habits and learn the new ones.
There, you can all wake up now ;-)
Siddhesh
On Friday 19 May 2006 12:50, Siddhesh Poyarekar wrote:
remain intact?" and not "Will I be able to change file associations with ease?"
Ok...so if a person calls me up and asks me, my mp3s aren't playing in windows. What should I do? ( a hypothetical file association issue ) I simply tell him to right click -> Open With -> WMP and ask him to make sure that the check box at the bottom of the Window is marked.
What do I tell him in Linux? Ok open up the CLI, now enter the .gnome directory .... blah blah blah..... And he'll go like...wtf?!
See the difference? See, this is one of the several examples where GNOME or rather the Linux DEs fail to be user friendly. Another excellent example would be of gaim. When you initiate chat, you can see the other persons 'avatar' ( pic ). You can optionally hide it by right click and "hide". Once hidden, there is virtually _no way_ you can get back to see it! The only way to get it back is to close the chat window and reopen it. I really would like to know whoever thought of it.... May be I am using a very old version (1.1.2) of gaim but IIRC this has been a problem since ages... May be its fixed now. But these aren't really great features that the developers 'simply forget' to incorporate.
I guess I can contribute more to making these apps better but then I dont really have the necessary skill set to do it... All I can do is 'suggest' these changes.
On 5/20/06, Dinesh Joshi dinesh.a.joshi@gmail.com wrote:
What do I tell him in Linux? Ok open up the CLI, now enter the .gnome directory .... blah blah blah..... And he'll go like...wtf?!
Ok for your specific example, you can always tell the user that there's another "cool" way to do this. Open xmms and open the folder where the mp3s are. Then drag and drop the mp3s into xmms. Cool ain't it? :)
The point with such users is that they need an expert/semi-expert to show them a way. Once they see that way, no matter how good/bad that is they'll stick by it till someone else shows them a better way.
And as for the reason why there's so many users still using windows and not linux, the biggest reason is the fact that windows got there first and hogged up the home pc section in india. Add to that I don't think we linux proponents are being effective enough in causing this change. I think there's much more we can do; distributing CDs doesn't seem to be the most effective way.
Also, we need to, at some level, also promote the idea of a standalone linux system among users and not just dual boot systems. Somehow all newbies seem to be attracted to the idea that linux is dual bootable with windows. While it does get them to toy with FOSS s/w, it also fails to actually wean them away from their old windoze habits. Probably a bit too much to ask for, but just a thought anyways.
Siddhesh
PS: Regarding Control Panel for gnome, there is the Gnome Control Center. Its still there, just that the shortcut is hidden/not there. Now I wonder why they did that.
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Dinesh Joshi -
Roshan -
Siddhesh Poyarekar