Why not? Sounds like a reasonable means of corralling tech-averse customers. Grandma isn't likely looking to install gcc, kernel source, and applicable libraries just so she can compile a kernel module for her non-mainstream device (whatever that may be).
Windows: download driver, click .exe, reboot (maybe), done. Different strokes for different folks, even though those comparison points are misleading and/or downright false.
"Grandma isn't likely looking to install gcc, kernel source, and applicable libraries just so she can compile a kernel module for her non-mainstream device (whatever that may be)."
Actually, Ubuntu is probably a GREAT choice for Grandma and Grandma-like users.
If all you want to do is browse the web, play Flash games, send & receive email, print, and maybe use an instant messenger, you can do all of that on Ubuntu without spending a dime (or breaking the law). It's more reliable and less prone to virus/trojan/whatever than MS Windows.
It's the gamer who insists on playing the very latest, or the guy with some niche market apps for which he only knows the MS compatible alternatives, who needs to be cautious of Linux.
Prices on netbooks have dropped low enough that the license to MS is a big part of the price. They are scared poopless of Ubuntu (or other user-friendly GNU/Linux alternatives) taking over the new low-price PC market, and rightly so. If Linux succeeds in the netbook market, it will get the recognition and user base it would need for compatibility to be a priority to game developers and those niche market apps, and MS will be up the proverbial creek.
Right now, as a matter of fact (plus I had iPodLinux running on my old 1st gen Nano for a while). Long-time SuSE and Red Hat/Fedora user (with a little Slackware thrown in for good measure), now walking hand-in-hand with Ubuntu (technically, Kubuntu, Ultimate Edition, and Linux Mint). I love Linux to death, but occasionally, you STILL run into "roll-your-own" situations. Much improved, yes, but still daunting for some (perhaps the majority). I'm sorry, what was your point?
I'm just trying to figure out what non-mainstream devices we are talking about here... and even if they don't work, they can always be returned for one that does.
Anything from an off-brand webcam to a nondescript bluetooth dongle, or simply anything that does not have a pre-built module or rpm or deb package.Remember when Flash (player) 10 wasn't available for Linux (for a good while after it was out on Windows)? Again, Joe/Sally isn't about to go through getting plugin wrappers to work just to watch videos on youtube. Also, how easy is it to setup global AD2P support in Linux (not just on a per-application basis like amarok, rhythmbox, etc)? Again, talking about grandma here.
Personally, I think it (Linux) is probably intuitive and user-friendly enough for what a large portion of the population does on a daily basis. However, given the sentiment I explained above and the fact that anything remotely techie appears to scare the crap out of some people, I can see how this approach could be effective in steering "non-enthusiasts" (for lack of a better term) away from Linux.
To reiterate: - I think that chart is beyond bogus - I prefer/use Linux - I think it's extremely usable for people of nearly any technical aptitude level (the same could not be said in the mid 90s) - Despite the previous statement, I believe that there are still a few small, remote instances/issues which would reinforce the stigma that some people have about non-Windows operating system - ??? - Profit!
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This is funny...
Wait... you mean this is SERIOUS?
Why not? Sounds like a reasonable means of corralling tech-averse customers. Grandma isn't likely looking to install gcc, kernel source, and applicable libraries just so she can compile a kernel module for her non-mainstream device (whatever that may be).
Windows: download driver, click .exe, reboot (maybe), done. Different strokes for different folks, even though those comparison points are misleading and/or downright false.
"Grandma isn't likely looking to install gcc, kernel source, and applicable libraries just so she can compile a kernel module for her non-mainstream device (whatever that may be)."
When was the last time you ran Linux?
Actually, Ubuntu is probably a GREAT choice for Grandma and Grandma-like users.
If all you want to do is browse the web, play Flash games, send & receive email, print, and maybe use an instant messenger, you can do all of that on Ubuntu without spending a dime (or breaking the law). It's more reliable and less prone to virus/trojan/whatever than MS Windows.
It's the gamer who insists on playing the very latest, or the guy with some niche market apps for which he only knows the MS compatible alternatives, who needs to be cautious of Linux.
Prices on netbooks have dropped low enough that the license to MS is a big part of the price. They are scared poopless of Ubuntu (or other user-friendly GNU/Linux alternatives) taking over the new low-price PC market, and rightly so. If Linux succeeds in the netbook market, it will get the recognition and user base it would need for compatibility to be a priority to game developers and those niche market apps, and MS will be up the proverbial creek.
@Andir3.0
Right now, as a matter of fact (plus I had iPodLinux running on my old 1st gen Nano for a while). Long-time SuSE and Red Hat/Fedora user (with a little Slackware thrown in for good measure), now walking hand-in-hand with Ubuntu (technically, Kubuntu, Ultimate Edition, and Linux Mint). I love Linux to death, but occasionally, you STILL run into "roll-your-own" situations. Much improved, yes, but still daunting for some (perhaps the majority). I'm sorry, what was your point?
I'm just trying to figure out what non-mainstream devices we are talking about here... and even if they don't work, they can always be returned for one that does.
Anything from an off-brand webcam to a nondescript bluetooth dongle, or simply anything that does not have a pre-built module or rpm or deb package.Remember when Flash (player) 10 wasn't available for Linux (for a good while after it was out on Windows)? Again, Joe/Sally isn't about to go through getting plugin wrappers to work just to watch videos on youtube. Also, how easy is it to setup global AD2P support in Linux (not just on a per-application basis like amarok, rhythmbox, etc)? Again, talking about grandma here.
Personally, I think it (Linux) is probably intuitive and user-friendly enough for what a large portion of the population does on a daily basis. However, given the sentiment I explained above and the fact that anything remotely techie appears to scare the crap out of some people, I can see how this approach could be effective in steering "non-enthusiasts" (for lack of a better term) away from Linux.
To reiterate:
- I think that chart is beyond bogus
- I prefer/use Linux
- I think it's extremely usable for people of nearly any technical aptitude level (the same could not be said in the mid 90s)
- Despite the previous statement, I believe that there are still a few small, remote instances/issues which would reinforce the stigma that some people have about non-Windows operating system
- ???
- Profit!