Re: [edlug] Stallman's talk

[Philipp Wesche <phi1ipp@xxx.xxx.xxx>]

--- James Eaton-Lee <james@xxx.xxx.xxx> wrote:
> 
> Windows, however, does *not* work like this. It's
> very easy - on the
> surface - to use. You stick the disk in, you click
> the buttons, and you
> have an operating system.

Thanks for making that point, which has been itching
for a long time. The Linux desktops are fine now,
especially imho GNOME with its now-excellent file
selector dialogue. What we need is an installer that
_just installs_. Windows asks very few questions
before you start working with it. This is exactly what
non-technical users need. They don't want to have to
know what a partition is. I know what 50% of you will
now say ("more power to them if they do" or worse,
"but they should, otherwise they'll still be
helpless") but I believe this is fundamentally true.
When I show people Knoppix, they want to try Linux.
But when I say, "we need to partition your disk", I
get frightened looks.

--- James Eaton-Lee <james@xxx.xxx.xxx> wrote:
> 
> handle all of their needs: the average small to
> medium charity office
> requires:
> 
> i) E-mail
> ii) Webhosting (locally or remotely)
> iii) Database (access or mssql)
> iv) Office packages
> v) filesharing amongst the office machines
> vi) authentication and logon services
> vii) internet connection sharing (dhcp/router)

Well, this is a good start. We've identified what they
need. Maybe a more comprehensive survey would be
useful, but from the responses to James' email, it
seems that GNU/Linux (*sigh*) can offer these things.
All it needs is a few people with enough technical
expertise getting together to pursue this charitable
cause - to provide a competitive free software
solution for your average charity.

Now I know it is entirely inappropriate for me to
suggest this, as I lack any of the requisite technical
expertise, but if the idea is never aired, we won't
get anywhere either, right?

Just my 2 cents,

Philipp


	
		
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