How Windows Users are Changing Linux and What We Should Do About It

….. exactly!

I agree with you here. GNU/Linux is unique in the OS ecosystem. I’ve never really understood why linux news sites and bloggers are always talking about linux conquering the desktop. Or that it has to be more like Windows or OSX in some way or another. Linux is different than proprietary operating systems and always will be… Thank God! And adoption will continue to grow, but desktop market share is irrelevant. Those of us who use Linux on the desktop know it’s many benefits over Windows and OSX, and we will continue to share this with friends and colleagues every chance we get.

I am a newbie to linux too. from a bird’s eye point of view, i didn’t find much difference between Ubuntu and XP, both of which i run in parallel (more Ubuntu than XP ) Initially, i was drawn into Ubuntu just because of the eyecandy features it offers. But as i got to work a little closer with it, I was amazed at the freedom it offers right from changing icons to installing softwares without the hassles of EULA(in most cases). But, as you said, i am lost in the freedom without the knowledge of what else i can do. Seriously speaking, after 1 month of being with Ubuntu, I’ve lost affinity to windows. But at the same time, i feel that using Linux is more than just using it for browsing, songs, chatting, movies etc., which is associated with any other normal user. I would love to learn anything which involves excitement of experimentation even if it comes with the risk of losing a few things. I didnot have a good computers background as well and so am hesitating to experiment in unseen domains. I’d be glad if u walk me through Linux for sometime thereby showing me what freedom can do actually.

ps: I’ve had two annoying problems in Ubuntu and have listed them here. please help.

One thing to do (which sounds pedantic, but really isn’t) is to point out that Linux is not one entity. It’s on your phone. It’s on your Tivo. It’s on the supercomputer. It’s in the data center. It is on enterprise desktops … somewhere, though I’ve never seen them.

Let’s not try to make it one entity so that we lose all these solutions to problems.

We’re talking about Linux on the desktop, though, right? Do a friend a favor. Don’t sell him Linux. Don’t try to “convert” him, please. If he is actually interested, give him something as simple and Windows-like as you can. I generally go for Linux Mint. It’s got the stuff in the right place. Thoroughly check hardware support, make sure your friend can play all his media, and check that he can use all his peripherals BEFORE you convert anything over. Don’t even start if there’s any question.

Set the thing up for unattended upgrades. Install SSH and get a dyndns account so that you can admin his box from wherever you are. Then be prepared to spend some serious time helping him get used to those little things that are different. He’s going to need it.

Make converting to Linux the best experience of his life. Please. I don’t need to read any more “I wanted to try Linux but now I’m stuck at a text prompt and this sucks” blog posts.

Nice. Felt as if somebody stole the words right out of the tip of my tongue.

Your gay! I want use LUNUX until it is just like WINDOWZ 96!

I usually never comment on blog posts, but yours was very well thought out and I couldn’t agree with you more – this goes for ALMOST every point you made.
Linux is what it is, and since more and more people are jumping ship to Linux, then it is clear that Linux developers are doing it right.

Ive been using Linux since 1999, and the biggest impact recent Linux popularity has had to the community is the senseless distro reviews. I actually spend my time reading some of them but it is annoying reading the presumptions a) that Linux is Ubuntu b) that Gtk does not work in Qt (or the other way around). With point A I mean the emphasise writers put on Ubuntu when reviewing anything, its always in relation to Ubuntu in one way or another. With point A I mean when people write stuff like, and while it is a Gnome application it actually works in KDE (like its to peoples surprise).

I’m one of those who never have used windows very much – but used DOS before I switched to unix back in the 90s.

However, I fully understand that people will have difficulty doing various stuff. When I know how to help people, but only know how to help them through a text editor, I usually help them the following way:

“I know this is probably not the most user friendly way to do this, but I’m one of those grumpy old unixheads who don’t know how to do it with the GUI interfaces. Please follow the instructions precicely:

Open a terminal window (you’ll probably find it in one of the menus), then type:

cd /etc
vi filename
(Now, vi is a difficult editor for beginners, but just follow the instructions closely. Use the arrow keys to locate the word “foo”. Then press the letters “cw”. Type in the word “bar”. Press the ESC key. Type “:wq”)

Mission accomplished.

I know this sounds difficult and non-user friendly, and I’m certain there is easy ways to do this – but alas, I’m familiar with the tools I’ve shown here and have never taught myself to use the user-friendly interfaces”

My point is that taking the approach that I – the one that is helping – is ignorant to the user-friendly ways, and explaining in detail how to do it with the tools that I know – while making it perfectly clear that there is probably a much easier way to do it — usually gets a nice “Thank you! It worked!” response.

“edit gconf from the commandline using nano.”

LoL,.. plain stupidity? or sheer Exaggeration?

Excellent article. Thumbs up.

“Linux is already a success. It does not need to become something that it is not. If Linux was to try to compete with Windows in the way that some people imagine, it would lose its identity. It would become mainstream and not be what it is, an alternative to mainstream.”

This is inherently a false premise. The purpose of a GUI OS is to provide an environment for an individual to easily and effectively use a computer. Are you claiming that “It would become mainstream and not be what it is, an alternative to mainstream.” is a bad thing? I am sure there are many people out there that would love to see open source become the standard, to see Windows and Office take a back seat, and be forced to play nice. To be in a world where the idea of paying hundreds of dollars for a product that has a free equal would seem foolish to the common person, like for example my grandmother. What is linux’s “goal”? To be the best OS out there, and a big part of that means being extremely user friendly, not just elite. Your statement reminds me of the kids in highschool who were pissed when the preppy kids started listening to “their” indy music, usually with lines like “I knew about this band before they were on the radio!”

Basically, whether you realise it or not, what started off as a perfectly good post about introducing people to linux in a manner which doesn’t frighten them off has turned into some kind of “lets stay underground for the sake of it” rant.

I agree with your first point. I’ve tried various times to get into using linux, but everytime the sheer scale of choice and the sheer technicalities behind those choices has baffled me into picking whichever distro seemed to be doing best. If people who are knowledgeable about linux would just explain the difference between these distros in a way a layman can understand, then linux, and possibly the ideals of linux, would be far more widely adopted.

What puts me off slightly though, is the impression given by people who keep saying things like “yeah man, linux is the best man, rebel against the system”. I’d use linux because it has the potential to be a better, open platform, with a strong community of people behind it. You should emphisise that aspect, rather than some kind of “unique identity”.

Surely the point of each distro is that it has a unique identity with unique features, so how can linux as a whole have a unique identity? Surely your attitude contradicts your main point?

A lot of good points about how Linux should only try to be Linux, not Windows. But it is interesting how you seem to think the newbies can’t be right about anything – they instead need to be educated in the way they *should* be thinking. Here’s the most telling line:

“We need secondly to recognise them for what they are, an attempt to hijack Linux. ”

No. They are mostly suggestions make Linux easier for the new user. If you’re going to perceive everything through a paranoid lens, you will not be able to understand whatever point is actually being made. When your focus is on justifying your position, rather than listening to theirs, you are placing yourself firmly in the camp of being the problem many of us perceive with the Linux community. Here’s another telling comment:

“Fortunately, the Linux community is accepting and accommodating.”

No. Unfortunately, all too often the Linux community is not accepting and accommodating. Your entire post is in fact a tribute to the refusal to accept that newbies might have a point.

Nothing is perfect. I’m not arguing against the choices in Linux, perhaps it is an unavoidable downside to the overall strength. Even so, refusing to admit to an issue means that it becomes even more unlikely someone will come up with an improvement or even solution to the situation.

Very well written article. Somehow I was in same situation when I switched to Linux a year before. I had a start with Fedora first, frustrating on its installation, I tried Ubuntu & Kubuntu and finally ended up with Windows XP again.

“they are competing with an ideology that they can’t buy like a company” -> You owned with this one

Hi,

I disagree with you on some points. I get the feeling you are making an effort to be impartial (and make a good job of it) but some things slip through.

For example, you said:

The harder ones to deal with are the writers and bloggers who know about Linux and its idiosyncrasies. They see these things as faults and give reasons. In this case we need to understand and educate ourselves before we respond to them. We need to present compelling arguments for not going in their direction.

Why would you need to educate yourself to give compelling arguments why changes won’t be made?

What if the reasons others give are _good_? You never touch on that.

From what I’ve seen in the linux community (the open source community really), everything changes in various ways; the changes that are good, are there to stay; the ones that are not, disappear sooner or later. In this way, it is similar to natural selection, in nature.

You also say:

To do this we need to know where they are coming from, what that direction will take us and perhaps to know what hidden motive they might have. Everybody has an agenda.

Why has anyone’s agenda have to be a nefarious reason? What if my agenda for wanting a change is that so the software I’m using is not getting in my way?

I’ll stop here, as I don’t want to flame here.

I am a mixed Linux/Windows user (I only use windows for some games I play once or twice a month).

Ignoring potential users and developing according to ideology is not the way to make a better OS. No one is trying to hijack Linux, people are often simply frustrated with some quirks which are mostly not even inherent to Linux itself but are rather KDE/Gnome issues.

What are people demanding that would ‘break’ Linux? A more intuitive way of installing packages? Less of a config file hell? Would Linux be less Linux if people actually used apt magnet links? If someone made GNOME lose that ’sticky’ feeling to every UI action? If some distro came up with a good way to manage system preferences without having to track down the config file which governs them?

Linux is not much of an issue to MS, they are probably more worried about Apple gunning for their turf. The paranoia about MS marketing is fairly unfounded, they’re trying to convince potential customers to go for their paid solutions rather than free alternatives. It’s not a conspiracy or ideological battle, just business.

Originally Linux is an OS made by developers for developers. Not an alternative to mainstream.

well, you made a point, but i wish gnu/linux distributions wouldn’t have a trend that’s gearing toward desktop systems. i hope they remain systems that are robust and especially bloat-free.

That was the most idiotic Linux defense ever. I’m a unix/linux user for years, I hate working with MS stuff and yet, I found that to be the “linuxtard” way to defend FAULTS in what is an otherwise great OS.

The evolving kernel is a piece of crap that doesn’t allow the existance of a stable API. No stable API means basically no games (for instance). I mean decent games, not “look at the amazing tetris clone”.

The diferent packaging flavours are stupid and a wate of effort. I hate compiling crap (would it cost ppl to release unbroken sources and a make uninstall rule?) and the dependency management of most distros sucks (I use apt for being the less crapy one, not because it’s actually good).

Although I prefer etc to regestry anyday, the fact that distros seem to follow whatever they please (Red Hat’s httpd dir for apache… because apache is the only http daemon and there’s only one version, of course, come to mind) and that up untill a while ago, etc was chaos pisses some ppl off. Also, the fact that some sources make up their own config paths (I think I’mm put this in /usr/local/spam/youcantfindme) instead of going standard sucks.

Standards are a nice thing. Ease of use too. I was amazed to find that addind DNS and rDNS entries in windows was a piece of cake. I liked that. I like the fact that there’s an easy way to get things working. I like them to work out of the box. In that respect, Linux sucks bigtime.

Don’t take me wrong, I use linux almos exclusively (at home there is no windows, for instance), but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s flawed, annoying at times (drivers anyone?) and that this type of fanboy’ish discourse does more harm that good.

I used Linux about 5 years ago (from XP) and stumbled upon a Mac. Recently I switched from Mac to Linux for many reasons you mentioned. I will admit, a lot has changed for the better BUT it stills seems like a chaotic mess a lot of times.

What I would like to see are the distributions become more responsible in making a truly unique off spring of Linux. Create smart package management that can handle whatever you throw at it. Make GUI options for some of the crazy config options you would otherwise have no idea where to look. Lastly, get on board with best practices in GUI design and information architecture.

Its 2008, these are machines. They should look nice and I shouldn’t have to work 2 whole weeks after work making my system exactly the way I want it, installing drivers, compiling apps.

Daeng Bo has it right…
“Make converting to Linux the best experience of his life.”

Linux users need to lose the attitude, and welcome newcomers. After all, if Linux catches on in Mainstream, think about how many jobs woud be created for people with Linux experience? I think that, as a community, Linux Users “shoot themselves in the foot” with the typical Linux chip on their shoulder.

Lighten up, and spread the good word: Linux is great!

Linux wins again! Oh wait…

People don’t want a Windows-like Linux they just want something easy i mean would you like to have instead of a remote control a keyboard on wich to to write “go to channel 4″ instead of just pressing button 4 that dosen’t that the windows way is not the only way of doing things you could have a television that reads your mind and you say to the TV go to channel 8 see i am using this example of what people really want for linux

Your attitude is condescending to the extreme. Case in point:
“It often happens in innocent ways. Someone will have a problem with installing a package which causes them to say something like it is so much easier to install in Windows. It isn’t and we need to tell them why it isn’t”

It isn’t??? Really? Double clicking on a downloaded program to install it isn’t easy? Don’t get me wrong the linux way of using package managers is pretty cool but it’s not the easiest way for all scenario’s. If something’s not in the package managers it is pretty painful to be honest. A little nuance would suit you well.

Just saying the newbie is always wrong makes you look pretty dumb.

Linux is still a platform with a much higher threshold than apple and microsoft. This is precisely because of people with your attitude.

Also don’t you think statements like ‘Microsoft hates what Linux stands for.’ are a little paranoid?? Microsoft is a company. The want to make a profit. That is their only motivation. Attributing hate and other emotions to a corporate identiy is ridiculous.

“but we need to guard against larger and more insidious forces attacking from the outside”

What are you, in a cult now????

Well, if I didn’t have to spend hours online in the linux forums and more hours tweaking around just so basic things like audio and wireless networking and printer sharing would function I would be more enthusiastic about linux. It’s a hobby for me, and like most linux users I too enjoy being a smug bastard from time to time, but for a variety of reasons linux is not a replacement for windows in my life. I do more than write term papers and surf the internet.

“If you truly developed a kick-ass OS with tens of thousands of drivers and easy installation and reliable performance, you’d be winning. But you’re not. Firefox caught on, right? Why? Because it rocked. Desktop Linux, however, is a different story, and in your heart of hearts you know this. It’s a bad imitation of Windows and can’t even come close to OS X.”

-FSJ

You talk about growing interest among people for Linux. But tell me one thing, Why do i need to learn a whole new system (ideology in borader sense) when i can very well do my work with Windows? What will happen to all those knowledge that i gathered over the past working with Windows? How can you break this wall of faith? I can always turn to my friend’s when i have problem with my Windows system, if i move to Linux, who will be there to help me?
This questions needs to be answered my friend. Linux needs to come to mainstream, you can’t expect it to stay in an obscure corner, doing its work damn well as any other OS out there, but away from mainstream, still wanting to be on people’s desktop. If you want Linux to be people’s OS, come to mainstream, that’s where we belong!
There is nothing wrong being mainstream, alternative is fine, but you dont want to stay as alternates, right? Time to shed your ego’s a bit and think logically!!

hmm… so what is your problem?
It seems you are doing precisely what you tell others to not do. You are comparing it with Windows!
You are afraid that Windows has too much influence, but hey (!) the code is mostly free (as in freedom and as in beer) so you can change it again if you do not like it :-S

I have no idea what you actually would like to say in this blog.

Great article.

Remember that it is human nature to resist change. People tend to want to keep what they know so it is no secret that if they came from windows to linux they will want linux to be windows.

The key is to recognize that and instead of telling them no, this and no, that, embrace what they are trying to do and offer yes, buts to their questions. A simple change in communication will help the transition.

One more thing – NEVER try to push something different on them. If they start with Fedora, let them experiment with Fedora and help them with that experiment. Work with them to help them embrace change and the experience will be FAR different. Suggesting something like Linux Mint when they are already using Ubuntu does NOT further the cause…it simply alienates.

Well said!

“It would not be a stretch to believe that they are paying people and companies to push their agenda in other ways as well.”

They have in the past; there was a notorious astroturf campaign against OS/2.

I agree with you on a lot of points here…In fact, I wrote a “New User Guide to Linux Communities” with this in mind. You might check it out or post a link to it…I really think it expounds a lot on how new users should approach things:
http://linux-blog.org/a-new-user-guide-to-linux-communities/

Please be open to the fact that you MAY be completely wrong.

WHAT IS THE GOAL?
——————
The question is, WHAT IS THE GOAL?

YOU>> “…it would lose its identity.”

Is the goal to keep Linux’s identity?

I would propose a better goal: “BUILD THE BEST OPERATING SYSTEM”. Be open to the idea that that may be a better goal, than “keep the identity” (i.e. stop change from happening)

If everyone agrees that building the best operating system is the goal, then be open to the ideas from this new demographic. Sometimes people coming in fresh is a good thing.

YOU>> “So how do we deal with such expressions?”
YOU>> “We need secondly to recognise them for what they are, an attempt to hijack Linux.”

Can’t you ask “Can their suggestion point a way to make LINUX take a step towards the ideal operating system?”.

When you use the word “hijack”, I think you are trying to make people HUNKER DOWN and fight change.

Instead, why not lead a discussion on what GOALs should be for an IDEAL OPERATING SYSTEM. Then come at each suggestion from a fresh point of view, and compare it to the goals of the ideal operating system.

YOU>> “There are valid reasons why things are the way they are.”
YOU>> “Whenever, people try to take something in another direction through conscious effort, it usually fails.”

You seem to try to get people to hunker down on the ‘no change’ theme. Why not evaluate ideas on their merit?

MENTAL FRICTION:
——————
Great product design books talk about “Mental friction”. It is pure waste (entropy) when products waste the users time using or learning the software. The best products remove it.

This is relevant for the friction between you and those users as I’ll explain below.

MARKET SEGMENTATION
——————
People in the tech community often dismiss reasoning used within marketing departments. Some of it is very effective. “Market Segmentation” is one area that solves the friction you are talking about.

“Market Segmentation” says, instead of building a product for everyone, define a set of people (aka a segment of the market) that we want to target. Then define your goals on making the best product for those customers. For example, HP scientific calculators that have inverse polish notation are designed for a very certain kind of people.

For the ideal personal operating system, I think the market segments naturally form as:
1) MASS MARKET: They are focused on getting things done in the real world, and computers are just a means to that end.

2) ADVANCED COMPUTER USERS: They are willing to invest time to learn advanced techniques so later they can save time or get more done. They are often willing to learn _how_ computers accomplish tasks.

3) NITCH NEEDS: They have a very paculuar need.
3a) SECURITY FANS: FreeBSD is an example of a set of people who want the most secure computer ever. More than the above.
3b) SMALL SERVER: Some distros are for people who want small OSes and are often willing to give up UI for smaller and faster.
…insert more here…

MASS MARKET vs ADVANCED USERS:
——————————
I think you and the traditional linux users are the ADVANCED USERS. I think you are getting annoyed at the MASS MARKET users.

This can be solved. Here is how to remove the contention via distros.

Step #1: Each DISTRO should first define their TARGET USERS

Step #2: Each DISTRO should then define the GOALs (which define the ideal personal operating system for those users)

I will make a pass at defining specific actionable goals for the two main distros:

DISTRO #1: MASS MARKET DISTRO
TARGET USERS DEFINITION (market segment): They are focused on getting things done in the real world, and computers are just a means to that end. This is the 80%+ of the population of a country.

SPECIFIC GOALS: (Higher numbers take precedence)
1) Optimize to get tasks accomplished in the shortest time.
– Measure time as the time to LEARN and then ACCOMPLISH the task.
– Measure against the average citizen in a country wrt the amount of LEARNING they will need on average.
– Most common tasks can assume the user is more likely to have performed them previously. Define this likelihood against the chance an average citizen has already performed that task before.
2) Respect the TRUE COST of time and barrier of “Mental Friction”
– Measure the give-up rate, failure rate, or time slow down of: advanced features, many ways to accomplish the same thing highly promoted in the UI, etc.
– Also factor in hard to install, hard to maintain, etc.
3) Use the 80/20 Rule to “Demote” Advanced functionality
– The 80/20 rule is a well known concept
– The most common and heavily used features should be promoted in the UI. The advanced features should be demoted into more out-of-the-way UI locations.
– Balance what goes in PROMOTED UI vs DEMOTED UI based on TIME-TO-COMPLETE-TASK, MENTAL-FRICTION, and SUCCESS-RATE at accomplishing tasks. Remember to measure against average citizens of a country.
4) Optimize for first time experience being fast and easy
– This is more important than:
a) many different ways to accomplish it,
b) advanced functionality in accomplishing it,
c) being able to accomplish it faster in the future.
– This is not an absolute. Balance this in order to optimize for the average citizen in a country.

DISTRO #2: ADVANCED USER DISTRO
TARGET USERS DEFINITION (market segment): These users are willing to invest time to learn advanced techniques so later they can save time or get more specialized tasks accomplished. They are often willing to learn _how_ computer tasks are accomplished technically. They want to be able to get almost anything accomplished and in the shortest time period. They are often patient to take longer to learn the task the first time, in order to save time or accomplish more later.

SPECIFIC GOALS: (Higher numbers take precedence)
1) Optimize to get tasks accomplished in the shortest time.
– Similar to MASS MARKET, except these users balance more for:
a) being able to accomplish more sophisticated results,
b) wanting to be able to perform the task very quickly in the future at the expense of more up front learning,
c) being able to automate the task when it needs to be applied many times
d) these users will want more choices of alternative ways to accomplish the task

2) Respect the TRUE COST of time and barrier of “Mental Friction”
– Similar to MASS MARKET, except these users are willing, interested, and able to learn more.

3) Use the 80/20 Rule to “Demote” Advanced functionality
– Similar to MASS MARKET, except these users are going to use the advanced 20% of feature more often.
– They value multiple choices more and are willing to promote them more in the UI.

SUMMARY:
——————————
My pass at goals a rough pass. The smart linux community should work together to shape these kinds of goals.

I think the community can succeed at moving forward a great Mass Market distro and a more Advanced user distro, while using good debates to refine the TARGET USERS, GOALs, and resulting specific product decisions.

The book “The Inmates are Running the Asylum” is a brilliant book EXACTLY on this specific issue.

I still think linux needs a lot more work to be accessible to end users. Namely in installing programs. My (brief) background. I’m 32 and have a BS in computer science. I have been working as a developer for 6 years on my current job – the last three has been working with Java and C#. I started using computers back with DOS 3.0, and in 2001 I bought a Mac. After having worked for a High School and seeing Mac’s for the first time – I just had to have one.

The primary reason I moved to Mac was, that as I grew up with Microsoft products I really never had any problems with DOS. But from day one with windows (3.1 was my first experience) I would have problems installing printers or getting a game to work etc. I just assumed that this was the norm for a graphical environment and accepted it. Then I had my first experience with Mac’s in 1999. It took about 1 afternoon to translate the basic differences between the Mac and Windows, and at first I was turned off by the lack of a command line interface – just in case something went wrong. However I learned quickly that for the most part whatever I wanted a Mac to do, it just did it. No more wasted time trying to figure out why something wasn’t working and fix it. So for me the primary reason I made the switch was that I want my computer to do what I ask of it, and from my experience Macs did that job better than windows.

But, I really miss building my own computers. I have liked taking old Mac’s and upgrading them well beyond their original specs (something alot of people say can’t be done). But it’s just not the same. So, about once a year I’ll put together a system just to play around and each time I give Linux a try.

My latest homebuilt is a basic Intel Core2Duo – no need for the specs it’s nothing special. I have Windows XP, Ubuntu 8.10 (the latest I believe, I just updated it a week or so ago) and a cracked copy of OS X (I know- I’m a bad person, but I couldn’t help but give it a try).

Every OS installed without a problem, and Ubuntu was the easiest and fastest to install. So, score 1 for linux. Through the years though, even with Ubuntu, I have had various problems getting things working but I have to say this latest version ‘just worked’.

Now for the problem. I have (for my Mac partition) an Elgato EyeTV Hybrid. A simple USB TV device. It works absolutely great in the Mac OS (and if you have a Mac I highly recommend this device). And I noticed that in Windows it shows up as a Hauppauge WinTV HVR 900. So, I went to Hauppauge’s home page, found the install software for WinTV, installed and sure enough it worked great. However I must say WinTV SUCKS in comparison to EyeTV, it just does. So, on to Ubuntu. I did some searches and read (I forget where) that the Hauppauge 900 works with the latest Linux kernel – which Ubuntu 8.10 has, so figuring I should be good to go – I started searching the net for how to watch TV on Linux and came across MythTV. I learned long ago, not to attempt to download a program from the net for Linux and install it (which personally I can’t stand that aspect of Linux) so I opened the package manager and found MythTV. I ticked the checkbox to install it, and it told me there were other packages I needed and offered to select them for me, I clicked OK – and then on with the download and install.

During the install, it came up with asking for a username and password information – and provided a default. Since I’m not concerned about security on this system I figured I’d leave the defaults. I assume the username and pass had to do with MySQL since I noticed that was one of the things it automatically selected for me. The installer finished and gave me some instructions about logging in under a different user, to finish the install. This didn’t make any sense to me – so I wrote down EVERYTHING that prompt said and clicked OK. Figuring it wouldn’t hurt to try, I attempted to startup MythTV. The program started and asked what language – I selected English, and then it prompts me for a username and pass as well as a port number (already filled in) and I assume this again has to do with MySQL – so I typed in the defaults from the installer – and it didn’t work. So I tried logging out and logging in using that username and pass – and no such user exists. So I logged back in as myself, and tried again – and played with it for about another 2 hours searching the net for answers before giving up for the day. I haven’t had time to get back to that project yet – I hope to this weekend.

So – all that was to get to this. I know I’m not a Linux Guru by any means, but I’m not brain dead with computers in general. Why can’t I simply install a program in Linux and just expect it to work? Yes 80% of the time, it does – I’ll grant you that. But when it doesn’t, it is a real pain spending HOURS going through forums trying to figure out what is wrong.

My biggest complaints in Linux today would be 2 things – 1 installs need to be easier, I know everyone always says that the package manager is easy. For the most part that’s true, but when it doesn’t work it’s very difficult and time consuming to figure out what went wrong. Something like Mac would be optimum IMHO – one simple *.app file for most programs, no installer required. The other thing is more of my own personal cry baby, but when I’m looking for software, I search the net. When I find something interesting I tend to look at screenshots (does it look ‘usable’ – or professional) and read anything I can find about that program. Then if I like what I see, I click download and open the .dmg (on a Mac this is) and I’m done – program is there and works at least 97% of the time (I honestly can’t think of a time it hasn’t worked, but I know if I write 100% someone will get mad and call me a Mac fan boy). The package manager is quick and works more often than not – but where are my screenshots? All I have to go by is a short description (of-which many of the descriptions are not well written) and maybe a star rating from other users. It leaves it to me to install it, hope that it works, and if it doesn’t or I don’t like it, uninstall it. Maybe I am being a cry baby about it. It just seems like a lot more work – which is exactly the reason I went from Windows to Mac in the first place. I want my computer to do whatever I tell it – and I don’t have to take time to figure out how to make that happen or fix something that went wrong. I made a similar complaint about a year ago, on a blog much like this one. Someone replied saying “ohh – it’s too bad you had to spend some of your precious time to troubleshoot a problem in an OS you got for free”. The person has a point – and to be honest, I agree. The OS is free in most cases – so why shouldn’t I take the time for these small inconveniences if I want to use this software? Well – my point really has to do with, there has been a lot of talk lately about Linux being ready for everyday use by everyday people, and so I’m simply pointing out that I personally don’t think Linux is ready for that, and I state 1 or more reasons why.

I like Linux and I want to see it succeed. I have grown to like GNOME almost as much as the Mac OS environment. I LOVE the fact that I can customize just about every tiny aspect of the OS. So, please don’t take this post as that I’m trying to bash linux, I’m simply pointing out that I personally think that with regard to installing software I think it needs some work to make things easier – that’s all. The package manager, if that’s the way the Linux community thinks it should stick with, then I might suggest a simple link for each program back to the site of the developer that made it – with SCREENSHOTS and more descriptions about the program. Also, when I problem occurs with a program there really needs to be maybe something better than just user forums for fixing the problem if and when possible. I cringe when I do have a problem (like with my MythTV install) because I know I’m going to spend many hours this weekend pouring through various forums trying to find the answer to what is wrong. I’ll have to deal with the terminal (I grew up with DOS – and it’s taking me forever to get use to UNIX commands) and users that don’t tend to like giving STEP by STEP instructions. OK – sorry this was so long, I’ll get off my soapbox now – hope I haven’t offended anyone / I guess I just had to vent.

i rather like this article. i think it’s kind of natural for a lot of people to want to share linux with friends and family, because they love linux so much and it’s just human nature to want to share what we love. But the fact is, these Windows/Mac users don’t necessarily want Linux and are unable to accept it because they do want it to be completely familiar and they want it to be an exact fit into their existing computing paradigm. I think there is, somehow, a balance between loving and promoting linux and being an evangelist seeking converts to it.

You tout the lack of a centralized Linux “paradigm” as a strength, yet what if this same decentralized approach was applied to the development of the Linux kernel?

I see nothing wrong, or nefarious, in asking for a simple standardization of some of the base assumptions of the Linux architecture. As an example, chaos in the file system locations or naming conventions, or scattered configuration necessities is not necessarily progressive, workable, or even fun.

I love these incredible machines. I’m 67 years old and I’ve been coding since 1974. To me, the OS is really just the launching platform for my, and others, coding dreams. I want the OS to be solid, fun and elegant, but especially, I’d like it to be organized and coherent. I’m not suggesting Linux become like anything else, just a wee bit more standardized in some of most simple of ways.

Now, you kids get off my lawn! Heh…

I always recommend, to people interested in Linux, buying a computer with Linux pre-installed. That way the vendor will support them, rather than having to try and support themselves.

I like what you said, but what about the users that don’t care about the OS? Should we even be moving for their adoption into the Linux family? As that is most users, should we even be cheering for widespread linux adoption?

You can read my reply to this post here.

The word is hearsay…As in you “hear people say”…I think you got it confused with “heresy” which is saying Emacs is better than Vim.

Excellent! I have seen so much tendency to conform and satisfy the wishes of many, but if we are to achieve a revolution in computing, we must stick to the unique niche that Linux represents as a cornerstone of our computing lives, and work the education angle to grow.

Good article, thanks! Now my turn to bitch. Circular descriptions and unintelligible man pages. Error messages with instructions that could be interpreted as meaning both alternatives you’re given buttons to choose from. RTFM responses to questions when there is no FM.
Sooooo…tired of spending money and more bleeding money on more ms products to get that one feature needed to do that one function to find out I got to go spend more…etc…
It’s a better investment to go buy Linux books and read them! Get my computer back again! Use ms again? No f’n way!

I have tried Linux a few times. I actually prefer it very much. I really love KDE 4.1. The problem is that it crashes on me too often, usually during an upgrade. That I can handle, even if it is a nuisance. What I can’t handle is the non existant running of Photoshop and other Image programs. No, I don’t like GIMP and WINE + Photoshop stinks. That’s my beef. Make it a little more stable and self recovering (like Windows) and when Adobe realizes Linux is better, I will be switched forever. I already use Evolution, OpenOffice.org, and many other Open Source softwares. I’m just waiting for that day the sun peaks over the mountain and lets Linux shine.

i can see this has been bugging not just me for some time now. glad to see that a lot of people feel the same way from the comments before mine. its not just the OSs that need liberation. the way the net is routed (controlled DNS servers) also needs to change. the day it can all be moved to a full mesh network is the day dictators and politicians will piss their pants as they lose their control

Here’s a comment that struck me as particularly ignorant… and typical:

while you’re still dicking around with the command line, I’ve done my days work and gone home… c’mon Linux.

Seriously, you’re never ever going to convince me that this person knows dick about the command line, or Linux for that matter. We’ve got some awesome GUIs, from fluxbox to the emerging KDE4, but the thing that we have that they don’t have is a really powerful command line. A desktop user isn’t going to be required to use the command line, therefore the command line is all advantage. There’s no reason to use the command line other than it cuts through dull repetetive tasks like a hot knife through butter. The gui means that anyone can use it, the command line means that a long-term user can grow in power over a period of years… and THATS the best of both worlds.

The challenge is that Linux’s greatest advantage is something that most people just don’t understand, because Microsoft has been in charge of their computer education. Everything they know about what an operating system is supposed to be has been taught to them by Microsoft. Take Muhammed Ali in his prime, and take Jerry Seinfeld. Ali (who actually appeared in a couple of Linux commercials) represents Linux. Seinfeld represents Windows. Ali can easily take Seinfeld in the ring, of course, but right now, it’s more like a Jerry Seinfeld look-alike contest.

Bottom line, it’s going to take care of itself. Linux’s strength is that it’s not a business, therefore it can’t be driven out of business. We’re going to be around long enough for the general ignorance to be overcome, but it’s going to be a long time. It may seem like we’re stalled, but going from one percent to two percent of the desktop market (or from a half to one percent, the numbers vary) represents explosive growth, and Linux is viable and exciting, and all over the server world.

KDE4 is going to show the world that we’re so much more than just a command line.

I loved your article! I have always wondered why some people want Linux to replace Windows everywhere. I don’t give $0.02 for Windows.

As to “choice being bad”. It is all about freedom. We Linux users want “freedom to”. Windows users often seem to want “freedom from”. I can see their point. They want a computer to be like a toaster. “Just do what I want and leave me alone so that I don’t need to think about this.” OK. Let them continue to use, and pay through the nose for, Windows or Mac.

While many (too many?) people fail to value the freedom of choice, there are some of us where resentment has built over the years as choice has disappeared from the MS/PC platform. Decades ago, the PC was superior not only in price and value, but also in choice… if not reliability (more on that in a sec). Back when CPU’s were carved from stone tablets, we could choose between DR-DOS and MS-DOS or even several graphical desktop environments such as Geoworks, MS-Windows, Desqview (spelling), and a couple of others. For programming, I will admit to using QuickC, while friends used TurboC. Over the years, though, choice has been whittled away, and reliability has suffered. As my brother and I have lamented, Windows has become the Mac, but without reliability. Four years ago, I became fed up with the XP PC that kept forcing me to do things the way it wanted to; who owned who? Also, I couldn’t trust to work or even communicate with our router from minute to minute. Enter Linux, and goodbye to limited choices, reliability problems, security issues, etc. My point that I have meandered towards is that some of us that have spent decades in an MS world have grown to resent the lack of freedom. Again, this is why many of us in this crowd have loathed the Mac since its inception.

mc

Linux is not Windows is where to send them when they start this.
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

then tell them to make their own distro work the way they want, cause I’m not swtiching to anything but my from source builds.

Linux is like a living being. It will evolve and change as it grows. And there is nothing you can do about it.

Great article! My sentiments precisely. I love Linux not only because it is free but because it stands for something beyond the enterprise. It stands for people helping people and doing it on a human plane without reference to self interest or profit.

This is not to say that I am against profit. Bravo to Red Hat, they play a very important function. But they are not the voice of Linux no matter how big, rich or powerful they become.

The other point made here is the need for Linux to be the core of many distributions. I love diversity and it is wonderful to go on Distrowatch on see all the new varients of Linux. True some are only slight variations but each represents a possible solution or preference that some user has. That means that it is totally possible to customize some version of Linux that is almost identical to Windows. This can also be done by installing a theme into a distro like Ubuntu and make it look almost identical.

What I think is needed most for the average consumer is for mainstream vendors like HP, Dell or Asus to offer versions of Linux that really work on their hardware without tweaks or special installations. They might consider adopting more than one hardware compatible version of Linux that would install and work on their machines. This would add to the choices (and perhaps increase somewhat the support issues) but if the version works with all of the hardware it shouldn’t present that many problems.

Linux is what it is, a very creative and viable operating system that can serve many purposes and many different types of users. That is what makes it great. I heartily agree that we as a community are not in competition with Microsoft. In many ways we are a stimulus that will force Microsoft to not grow too complacent. Perhaps in some way we are really a friend to Microsoft. No monopoly is forever and the Microsoft monopoly could go the road of GM if they don’t innovate and pay attention to their customers.

As for me, I am happy with Linux and have no need for any other OS at the moment.

Another

first of all we need to advertise the right name of the OS. It is not Linux but Gnu/Linux. So when such articles come out – they are to name the OS properly. In due respect to the FSF.

your articles are interesting and so useful for me. Thank you for sharing great information.

i liked your post, very good work

jacob

http://techgurulive.com

Well said. I also find it disturbing when Linux advocates adopt the idea that we need to be more like Windows. Windows is exactly why I switched to Linux. If not for Linux I would still be working my old back breaking job instead of now working in IT and software development. It was the choice and freedom found in Linux that shifted my objectives and re-ignited a desire to work in the computer industry – not the other way around.

Linux does need to remain the alternative. I do not think it will succeed by imitating MS.

Thanks for the blog, and you are touching on something that does make sense. However, in my opinion, having started with a Commodore 64 and being something of an ‘egghead’(remember that term?) and gone through windoze to Linux, not a newbie on Linux, it is not that I think we need a ’standard linux’ – it is that we do need a Organized (ul) voice (ul) that can communicate to the outside community in a way that would be understood, and give them something of a stable data in order to understand it. It does not have to be a control factor or a decision point for all the rest, it just has to be something that is a common voice for all distros that can be understood by all the Windows Worshipers of the world that cant think outside the box. Linux is for the most part as a culture has a lot of a sink or swim approach – you get in, you are in deep, and swim you way out of it. Lets give them something that they can chew on!

tl;dr

Linux, itself, is an operating system kernel with associated driver modules. What you seem to be addressing are more issues of user interface and, perhaps, application programming interface.

In respect to new users’ frustration then, it might more to the point to say that transplanted Windows (or Mac) users are stymied by an unfamiliarity with Gnome, or KDE, or Xfce, or Enlightenment, etc. so forth and so on. These are the desktop environments the users’ habits are in conflict with. Further, this type of phenomenon isn’t limited to software. Ever reach for the lights in the wrong place in a strange car? If you own a nervous system, you are a creature of habit; that’s just how they work.

Befuddled conscripts to new software customarily lament their fate, often with histrionic ardor. Ask any corporate application programmer who works with end users. Change as little as the font on a dialog and you will soon be confronted with the enormity and gravity of your transgression.

It is common of many personalities to want to learn something once and then have that learning apply universally and perpetually. After all, you only have to learn to ride a bike once, right? Often such personalities are vocal in forums and such venues. Usually, a little Rogerian therapy, supporting the patient’s self-esteem while guiding the individual to a sense of empowerment and purpose, will turn the trick. Some will resist, venting their frustration in lurid displays of poor breeding and worse taste. One shouldn’t imagine they pose a threat to Linux. Unix was Unix before there even was a Microsoft and Linux will be Unix long after Microsoft’s founders pass beyond the veil.

Which raises an intriguing question. This call for defending Tux’s pedigree, could it be that you have become resistant to his evolution? Have you become covetous of the Linux status quo? Perhaps you should try, say, a therapeutic download, compile and install of Cinelerra. In difficult cases try mulled wine and selected readings from the man pages.

Very good read. Although I am nolonger a windows user (2 years Linux), I believe the user interface is
what former window users are most likely talking about. For a smooth transition and somewhat more advanced
than windows,new users should try Ubuntu 8.10,Open Solaris or Fedora 10 with KDE 4.1 session interface with
Appearence settings,Oxygen icon Theme & Plastik Window Theme setting.

KDE 4.1 interface is for a advanced Desktop user who wants to click and go.

Other interfaces such as Gnome are Advanced but in my opinion is advanced for persons who develop linux applications,write software or use thier linux desktop as a multimedia studio.

You can use both at your convenience buy installing them from synaptic or apt. When installed
logout than switch to whatever sessions you want KDE,Gnome or other.

Have Fun

Scincerly,

HappyLinux User

Absolutely true, that people who starts linux try to compare with their previous more user friendly windows experience, It s just like when you start learning foreign languages people tend to give very soon.

Excellent Post, I agree with your comments on the FORUMS ETC, rtfm is a common one to be thrown at an unsuspecting newbie. Linux is great because the open source community provides as much if not more than the proprietry gang. You dont have to dodge the malware, spyware and root kits if you want an application to fulfil a job. Distro’s like opensuse have got it right with the help of the packman repositories even a newb can install an application using one click installers without the need to work out what Kernel Sources and GCC compilers are. I think the Linux Community should help out a little more on the forums and make it easier for newbies to switch to linux.

Many private computers in the U.S. are now used for gaming only, not serious computing. Microsoft, by patenting living languages throttled interest in programming in the American youth, and fed them pre-packaged pablum in the form of Windows, cheap games and the likes! Will rampant and uncontrolled capitalism and greed shape the uses of these super computers of the next generation of chips as well? Are there ways to prevent a repeat of this sorrowful situation? I use and personally promote Ubuntu because it is open source. Europeans as well as Americans are seeing the light, and converting to open source. Such wonderful resources as computer languages must not be controlled or taxed by a single monopolistic corporation like Microsoft, they belong to all the people, to develop, enhance, work with and exploit for the benefit of all mankind, taxed for use by no corporation, government, political regime or other form of coercion. God help us to keep it clean and unfettered this time! If we do not, the intelligentsia of China, now rising to the forefront in the world, and unfettered by sick capitalism will, Happy Computing! It belongs to everyone who can think! Welcome to the 21st Century – a new world dawning!

Linux is not better than Windows and Windows is not better than Linux. They are different.

Personally I moved to Linux because I got tired of using both Windows and Linux.

Mastering Windows is not worth much when looking for a job. Mastering Linux (at least in the telecom market) is worth a lot.

Now it would really be perfect if I really never had to use Windows in a vmware window for some applications that just don’t work in Linux

You’re talking like a conspiracy theorist. Calm down. There are no hidden agendas, no conspiracies, and no evil intentions from the devil…sorry…I mean Microsoft.

All arguments made against Linux are legitimate. I am one of those who you would call a Linux newbie. I turned to Linux because I can’t afford buying Windows anymore. It wasn’t an easy transition, but I was expecting what I will get using Linux. Linux is no better than Windows, it is just different.

Not all users have the luxury of time to edit configurations, or spending to much time in 1 installation. They want better compatibility with hardware, they want to use well known software, and yes, they want something mainstream. For those people, Windows is much better OS and it’s perfectly normal for them to expect (or at least wish for) something similar in windows.

But don’t worry. It won’t happen.

As a person in the progress of changing over to Linux as my primary OS instead of secondary, It still has a few problems.
# 1 native driver support
# 2 Knowing that installing a program outside of the repository will work without multiple hours of effort.
# 3 Being able to buy Photoshop or WOW for Linux at your local store.
( Please no “Wine”ers )

I suggest Linux is more secured then windows as far i concern, I had been working in linux servers since few Months.It is totally 100% secured, reliable and stable. I suggest to maintain Linux Servers only instead of running on Windows Servers

I changed to LINUX several years ago when I was charged with the responsibility of supporting our school’s LINUX and UNIX courses. I came to it begrudgingly and initially experienced much pain and exasperation. After many months I found myself becoming increasingly uncomfortable when I had to operate in a windows environment. I do find myself needing to use windows on occasion now, but it is with great reluctance and a pronounced sense of disquiet.
I love LINUX, but it is difficult for me to give an intellectual explanation to a non-LINUX user exactly why I love LINUX. “It’s about freedom . . . !” or “It’s just not windows . . .” don’t work for me as arguments, although it is certainly somewhat about both. “It’s about community . . .” is closer to the fact, but still doesn’t really capture the gut reaction I have to both LINUX and windows.
I have used a number of distributions, including UBUNTU, but I keep coming back to Fedora. I do like the Fedora community’s philosophical approach to their distro, but that again does not capture why I prefer it to UBUNTU and all others. I prefer it because . . . I just prefer it, I guess.
I’ll bet that most of you prefer your choice distribution for exactly the same reason . . . because you prefer it.
So I agree with the article, LINUX is about the freedom to like what you like and to use what you like to the exclusion of what you don’t like and to take comfort in the secure knowledge that there is not likely to become “a LINUX” to the exclusion of “LINUX.”
I do believe that most windows users need to go through an experience similar to mine, where they are more or less forced to use LINUX, despite their reservations and lack of comfort, before they can truly fall in love with LINUX and turn away from windows. No “windowization” of UBUNTU or any other distribution will justify leaving Microsoft for LINUX. Only a psychological mindset that is comfortable with uncertainty, excited about change, and proud to contribute to a community of like-minded individuals can ever make one a true LINUX convert.

I will agree that there are different philosophies that define Windows and Linux. I am not so certain that users migrating to Linux is trying to change the much touted “freedom of choice” that Linux veterans espouse.

The reasoning is circular in a way. Once migrated, these former Windows users become Linux users (new that they may be) and since Linux is, by design, driven by the Linux community (IE: users) then their input is one part of the evolution you described and revolution is not really possible.

The uptake in migration, to me, seems to be “encouraged” by Windows users that are dissatisfied with Vista for a number of good reasons. What they know about Linux amounts to this. Linux is a modern operating system capable of doing anything on a computer and the preferred hangout for computer geniuses (as portrayed in media), and will work on anything it is mounted on to. Their concept is that in our super modern technology, installing hardware and new software should be a snap, like some universal translator from Star Trek. They can’t conceive the idea that the “geek’s” operating system is nothing like that (and none are). They cant understand why all these computer experts (as they see them) would not have created all the conveniences of Windows and more. It is not that they want fewer choices, they just don’t understand your choices.

I know nothing about Linux, but I can recognise a lucid and well considered argument when I read one. I’m considering the Windows Linux leap, and am rather glad I read this first.

Damn Good Article!
You hit it right on the nail.

great article, great comments! well said!

Hear hear! I have tinkered since the commodore 64 days. To IBM ‘compatible’ and MSDOS vs DRDOS. Or so I thought. Suddenly an OS that doesn’t say no! To me, that is Linux and I love that! I can totally stuff up my system, or learn to configure a wonderful symphony. Up to me really. Windows has become ’straight-jacket’ software to me, in comparison to Linux in all its variety! Viva la differance!

I have just gone from Windows to Linux and back again. I will await the oct release of Ubuntu. That may help, at least Wine will be stable at a level that can play the Spore game.

I lost 5 gigs of my 80 gig hard drive due to double install. I am still trying to get that back.
I lost one or more flash drives. These in a windows envonment are plug and play, hot swappable. Not reliably so in Linux.
I lost a game setup and Linux instal by powering down manually. I guess Linux is just ‘big box’ – if you do not have a UPS consider not installing it.
I lost a Linux install by hitting the clean up feature in Ubuntu.

My expectations were not met.

But I found that Linux is best for backing up Windows OS files, and good for moving things around. The disk based OS has been wonderful for small things.

Sean

I understand where you are comin from. I was turned onto Linux by force. (BF decided Vista Sucked) Erased ALL my sims data and went to Ubuntu. I can’t count how many distros we’ve been through looking for one hard enough to satisfy his nerdy needs. But my favorite to date is Arch. He installed it We had it for a while. then he changed it. I’ve found alot of the Distros are easy to use and most were user friendly. It’s just a little different wath each one. And if you do have a problem, there are other people out there who have gone through the same thing. Yeah sometimes the Unix guru does show up, but most of them do have an understanding of how it felt to be a n00b at one point. I’d rather have a guru tell me what to do to fix a problem anyway. The point is I’d never go back to windows if you paid me. If you don’t like how the distro works for you change it. Make it your own. However we havn’t been back to Ubutu after Jaunty. I didn’t like it & I suspect he didn’t either.