Computers don't *have* to be difficult to use, and anyway you shouldn't have to learn how to use the computer or the OS at all! You might have to learn the application, but there should be a minimal buffer between you (the user) and what you actually want to do (use an application to do something useful). Most geeks forget that most users are not interested in configuring the OS, or understanding the internals. It's not interesting to them and it's not going to help them in their job or at home. It's just friction.
Whenever some Linux zealot talks about how Ubuntu is easy to use, or one of the other Linux distros, it just makes me sigh. "RTFM! RTFM!", they cry, as if people *want* to read a huge freakin manual before they can actually do something.
I'm a software guy by trade. I've used Linux since 1994 or so, and developed embedded and server products on Linux. I'm highly familiar with it and know how to use it and develop on it. For most people, though, it's way too much. Too complicated, too much choice for things most people consider to be pointless choices, and it kinda looks crappy and disjointed.
In an educational establishment, students should be using tools and systems that they're likely to encounter in "real life". If you get into the work-force these days and can't use Windows (or Mac stuff, depending on industry), or MS Office, you're at a big disadvantage.
The Chromebooks are here, starting with Samsung's Series 5, a cute little number that promises instant-on access, 3G connectivity, and long enough battery life to web surf with the best of 'em.
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Linux on the desktop - it's coming soon!!!! LOL!
Computers don't *have* to be difficult to use, and anyway you shouldn't have to learn how to use the computer or the OS at all! You might have to learn the application, but there should be a minimal buffer between you (the user) and what you actually want to do (use an application to do something useful). Most geeks forget that most users are not interested in configuring the OS, or understanding the internals. It's not interesting to them and it's not going to help them in their job or at home. It's just friction.
Whenever some Linux zealot talks about how Ubuntu is easy to use, or one of the other Linux distros, it just makes me sigh. "RTFM! RTFM!", they cry, as if people *want* to read a huge freakin manual before they can actually do something.
I'm a software guy by trade. I've used Linux since 1994 or so, and developed embedded and server products on Linux. I'm highly familiar with it and know how to use it and develop on it. For most people, though, it's way too much. Too complicated, too much choice for things most people consider to be pointless choices, and it kinda looks crappy and disjointed.
In an educational establishment, students should be using tools and systems that they're likely to encounter in "real life". If you get into the work-force these days and can't use Windows (or Mac stuff, depending on industry), or MS Office, you're at a big disadvantage.