Linux needs to be more (new) user friendly.
Posted 12-01-2008 at 02:06 PM by Another Unixnoob
After seeing the new GUI based Linux offerings, I was a bit skeptical. Having once tried Mandrake, I found Linux to be too different compared to Windows and the requirement for a lot of technical knowledge just to do simple tasks was too great.
Well, times have changed and the differences between Linux GUI's and Windows grows smaller. Now, it's quite easy to adjust to using something different but with enough similarities to make life easier.
What has not changed is the technical requirement.
To do something simple like installing drivers is not a double click or a right click>install on a .inf file. It often requires a lot of technical knowledge of Linux. Something that comes naturally to a long time Linux user is not so for a Windoze user trying to cross over.
My recent experience was with drivers for graphics. The company presented the package in a .run file and Linux would have nothing to do with it. I was told I had to give it permission to run by using a command line instruction. If it's an executable file, it should run. Why does Linux need to give it permission to do this? If it's necessary for security, allow it to run from a right click menu selection that automates the command line instruction.
The very technical level of the Linux OS puts new users off. Most windows users have been used to point and click and it either runs as an executable or it doesn't because it's a data file and a right click will give an alternative if it is possible for that file.
Command lines are great for doing non-standard stuff and pulling rabbits out of hats technically speaking, however, for the everyday task, it means a lot of memorising commands and high degree of knowledge of the OS instead of ease of use.
For a complete noob like myself, Linux is still way too technical to be user friendly. It really needs a dumbed down version for complete noobs to get the feel of before embarking on the teckie trek of the full blown versions. However, this version would still need to have full functionality to make it useful and worth trying out.
It's hard enough getting used to the file system of Linux and the way things are organised on the desktop and hard disk. Even something simple like trying to find a specific data file in Linux to a windows user is strange. We can do without all the technical know-how that's required to go with it just to make the OS functional to begin with.
Well, times have changed and the differences between Linux GUI's and Windows grows smaller. Now, it's quite easy to adjust to using something different but with enough similarities to make life easier.
What has not changed is the technical requirement.
To do something simple like installing drivers is not a double click or a right click>install on a .inf file. It often requires a lot of technical knowledge of Linux. Something that comes naturally to a long time Linux user is not so for a Windoze user trying to cross over.
My recent experience was with drivers for graphics. The company presented the package in a .run file and Linux would have nothing to do with it. I was told I had to give it permission to run by using a command line instruction. If it's an executable file, it should run. Why does Linux need to give it permission to do this? If it's necessary for security, allow it to run from a right click menu selection that automates the command line instruction.
The very technical level of the Linux OS puts new users off. Most windows users have been used to point and click and it either runs as an executable or it doesn't because it's a data file and a right click will give an alternative if it is possible for that file.
Command lines are great for doing non-standard stuff and pulling rabbits out of hats technically speaking, however, for the everyday task, it means a lot of memorising commands and high degree of knowledge of the OS instead of ease of use.
For a complete noob like myself, Linux is still way too technical to be user friendly. It really needs a dumbed down version for complete noobs to get the feel of before embarking on the teckie trek of the full blown versions. However, this version would still need to have full functionality to make it useful and worth trying out.
It's hard enough getting used to the file system of Linux and the way things are organised on the desktop and hard disk. Even something simple like trying to find a specific data file in Linux to a windows user is strange. We can do without all the technical know-how that's required to go with it just to make the OS functional to begin with.
Total Comments 5
Comments
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Sorry to read that you find Linux still too technical. I don't have the same experience. I am mostly using Ubuntu and like it far more than Windows. The funny thing is that I never had to use the command line to do something, everything was "point and click". I never had to install special drivers too.
However, I know that drivers are an issue still. Not because of Linux, but because the producers refuse to produce a Linux driver and so the community has to do a lot of work to make one. That it's a bit difficult to install such a driver is something I can live with.
About the file system: in my opinion the Linux file system is very understandable and flexible, but surely it's different from Windows. But I'm sure you didn't get it all when you first used Windows, so give it some time to get used to Linux. In a few weeks you will get used to it.Posted 12-01-2008 at 02:57 PM by jozik 
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'if there is a will there is a way'.if u never love2 linux,u cant live vt linux coz linux isnt windows or mac.linux is linux. I tried several linux flavours. now i use opensuse11.it works well vt me. "if u want2do everything vt a single click,pls change mouse settings2use single clicks instead of double clicks".in linux,ther R severl desktop envirnmnts that suits2us.
play vt linux.dont think abt rumours.
u'l find da world is better than u
thinkPosted 12-04-2008 at 03:13 AM by roshantux
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linux will always be linux is a famous sentence of linus torvalds.
Posted 12-04-2008 at 05:19 PM by hasanatizaz
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I thought, Ubuntu, Mepis, Mandriva, Mint, Progex, fit all those areas fine. Its not easy though, to teach an old dog new tricks. Being an old dog, I can say that.Quote:For a complete noob like myself, Linux is still way too technical to be user friendly. It really needs a dumbed down version for complete noobs to get the feel of before embarking on the teckie trek of the full blown versions. However, this version would still need to have full functionality to make it useful and worth trying out.
Posted 12-06-2008 at 07:00 PM by rokytnji
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... and big trucks have far too many wheels and gears - why aren't they more easy to drive, like cars.
... and Formula 1 cars will never get popular unless they make them so you can carry your shopping and put your dog in the back.
If you want windows - run windows ...Posted 04-23-2015 at 04:20 AM by descendant_command
