A distribution occupies a very specific niche in the free software ecosystem. Among other things, we need to accept some responsibility for ALL the software defects (”bugs”) that users actually experience across the entire stack. Most users don’t install their apps from upstream source tarballs, they install them from the packages provided by their distribution. [...]
I was delighted to see Thawte’s elegant handling of the recent OpenSSL random number generator flaw in Debian, Ubuntu and other Debian derivatives. They offered a free replacement for anyone who was affected. Years ago, when Thawte was setup, we put a lot of effort into doing things in a way which made sense for [...]
Vincenzo Ciaglia from Linux-Magazine Italia sent me a few questions related to the release of 8.04 LTS. Since he was going to translate the conversation into Italian this week, he was happy for me to blog the English version here.
1) Hi Mark, thank you for your availability. Some simple questions to introduce you to our [...]
Has Ubuntu Made it? Is it ready for the Massas? - A Test Series
Written by Administrator
Saturday, 03 May 2008
My questions arise after reading both a Digg post & eventually a linked post on Linux today with a test one done on Content Consumer. It was a well thought out document on how his girlfriend did using Ubuntu, & how being out of her comfort zone and into something new would work out.
Now I took a different approach, than content consumer. I took a happy Windows power-user friend of mine named Johnny. He is just happy how things are going, but nice enough (and patient enough) to do these videos for me!
Video 1: Installing....
Johnny did a couple things I didn't think about since I've gone a custom to the GUI of Ubuntu. Notice how his eyes draw to the bottom left of the screen, as if expecting to see a menu there. This makes him over look a few of the multitude of status messages that appeared top right after logging in.
As any Windows Power user, in order to fix a video problem, you just update the drivers right? Well that's what Johnny did. He naturally visited Nvidia's website assuming "Hey I install this, should be OK. Well he figured how to start the installer, but got a message "X is currently running, close out of X before installing."
For someone used to knowing what the x-window system is, you would know off the bat what that was. but remember, this is a Windows user who has used Linux in the past. The community terminology didn't make any scene to him. "What was X? - shrug" I suggest he update his system.. "try those icons there." I was squirming the hole time just knowing how to fix it, but I had to hold back and not say a word.
Thankfully Johnny has troubleshooting skills, something grandma would not have, & likely just turn it off. Better yet, not likely have 2 monitors. Time taken to get over this - 45 minutes.
Finding his shared network drives & watching videos...
Johnny spent some time still understanding the layout. Eventually, he found in the places menu a network browser, which at the time already discovered his shares. He launched an old family home video taken & was prompted to download codec's to install. Johnny mentioned he didn't like how it prompted for his password anytime he installed a program. At this time, he was a wee miffed. The feel of how it was all laid out was still alien to him. He mentions some things here about the screens menu which he found was not a usable option, as it was hidden icon which he discovered by browsing the editable menus. I didn't know either, as it was there in version 7.10 under administration. Time taken 20 minutes.
Installing Wine
Johnny hadn't noticed the add/remove programs yet, & since he had some success on Google finding what he needed to get his monitors working, heck why not! He tried the help section earlier and type in "dual monitors", but didn't find anything about "how to use dual monitors.." something in that nature in the documentation. Johnny found however the directions from winehq.org how to install it.Eventually problems with Civilization 2 release he had, which prompted for direct x drivers, he found being in a stump. though there is a work around for that too, I didn't want to help Johnny on this. He eventually gave up on it for now, but made a good point. If a new user goes to the store, buys a PC software. If they put it in their system, an option, just like the codec's appear prompting the user to install wine, but of course warn the user, there is no guarantee it will work. But I quoted Mark here in the vid. He isn't trying to compete with Windows, & he's doesn't want people think it's cheap windows either. The flexibility is there for someone to install it, if they wish. However I understand Johnny's point of view too. "it's my computer, I want to do, what I like to do." Make that one less hurtle, & it might make it easier. Time taken - 20-25 minutes.
Step 4: using Pidgin & Trying FreeCiv
Johnny started trying some of the pre-installed applications. First with going launching Pidgin, which he found wasn't too bad. I was noticing he hadn't dinked with Add/Remove Program yet. So as best as i could, without giving too much away, I mentioned it here. Johnny tried Freeciv, wasn't too happy he could play his favorite. My hopes was that maybe alternatives would make him explore more.
