Messages in this thread | | | From | ketil@ii ... | Subject | Re: Boot Logo Questions.... | Date | 14 May 1998 10:14:42 +0200 |
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Gavin David McNair <gavinm@jumper.mcc.ac.uk> writes:
> in a world whre 99% of users use windows and have never heard of unix > it is intimidating......
> these users should be given a way of having a plain simple Linux OS rather > than the sensible powerfull linux were used to.
I didn't think I would follow up more on this thread.
One of the reasons I like Linux so much better than Win* and most other operating systems, is the fact that it doesn't try desperately to hide and/or abbreviate error messages all the time. It was written by and for the technically inclined, people who aren't scared of knowing what IRQ their network card is using.
This is why Linux was built, this is why so many extremely technically competent people are using it extensively.
Perhaps this *is* harmful for the acceptance of Linux among the unwashed masses, perhaps Linux should adopt Win* habit of reporting error messages like "Your network doesn't work" or, for that matter, "Unknown error". I don't think so. I think exposure to the technical verbosity of Linux makes it - not simple, but at least straightforward - for users to increase their knowledge and technical understanding.
I've seen this happen - people who got tired of certain other OSes faults, installed Linux, and revelled in learning the ins and outs of the system. People without a deep technical background.
I think that the more you try to hide complexity, the less people will try to understand that complexity, and of course, the more tempting it will be to sacrifice order, structure and cleanliness in design, in order to make things even neater and prettier on the surface.
I think the "world domination - fast" slogan is misplaced, or at least misinterpreted (implying universal and exclusive usage). The user community with strong technical skills is in my opinion one of the major strengths of Linux. It would be okay if Linux was adopted by the millions who use other OSes on their desktops, but I doubt it would make a great contribution to the OS quality or functionality.
~kzm -- If I haven't seen further, it is by standing in the footprints of giants
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