[Sussex] web security glitch!!

[Steve Redshaw]

hi Steve, Geoff and Dominic (in particular),

Thanks for your replies, I do not feel that anyone is getting at me, I don't
mind displaying my present ignorance concerning Linux, in this instance it
seems to have created a very useful and interesting debate.

Thanks Dominic, Your article is illuminating, helpful and inspiring,
although it does rather confirm what I was beginning to discover, a lot of
Linux users know a lot about computers and like having control over their
OS.

As for me, I just want to use a computer as a useful tool for my business
and personal needs;- but before you show me the door (or maybe the Windows),
I am genuinely interested in the 'Linux' ideals and its stand against
commercial restrictions and yes, I am prepared to put in the time to learn
to use Linux (if it is not presented in a way that is too consistently over
my head or takes inordinate amounts of time and/or concentration, I do have
business tasks which I have to complete on a computer as well as exploring
new territory). There is a level of frustration and non-understanding that
will send the intrepid Linux explorer scuttling back the other way, this is
partly dependent on that person's perseverance of course, but also partly on
how information is presented, how easy it is to access and how skills are
taught to 'newbies'.

So yes, I confess, I would rather prefer an OS with a familiar feel, which
does basically the same things the OS and its software I am familiar with
does, the OS I find useful and necessary for so many tasks. It is
interesting learning about aspects of computer control that MS took from
elsewhere (Windows for example?) and I take the point about commercial
organisations being able to put professional support and help behind their
software and hardware, as well as publicity (propaganda) which sheds a
positive light on itself only!

My next questions then are these; Is the Linux community able to embrace the
average 'non-geek' computer user? Does it have the patience to teach me
about the benefits of Linux and encourage others like me to use it? Does it
want to do this anyway? Am I just a leech after a cheap computer system?
What can I contribute to Linux and its development?

Does Linux need me?

Steve Redshaw

2008/7/9 Steve Dobson <steve.dobson at syscall.org.uk>:

> Hi Steve
>
> On Wed, 2008-07-09 at 16:49 +0100, Steve Redshaw wrote:
> > It is fascinating being part of the SLUG discussions (just to remind
> > folk that I am a very green Linux user, trying to wrench myself away
> > from Windows) and I am slowly learning more, but there are constantly
> > obstacles which I find frustrating and off-putting, mostly in the form
> > of Linux jargon and assumed knowledge of computer technology.
>
> But that should be try of any new endeavour, surely.  :-)
>
> > The advantage of Windows, as mentioned in another recent posting, is
> > its adaptability to many different computers and hardware attachments,
> > you just install it and it works with just about everything.
>
> Does it?  There is a not so small army of Windows IT experts slaving
> away behind the scenes to try and cover every eventuality.  I've heard
> and seen reports of things working under Linux that did not just plug
> and play under Windows.
>
> > I am not trying to demean Linux, but in my limited experience, it is a
> > lot harder creating a computer system with Linux than it is with
> > Windows.
>
> As I understand Windows not at all I find the reverse true.  It is one
> of my personal bugbears that people claim something is hard just because
> they do not understand how approach the task.
>
> Sorry if you feel I'm getting at you Steve, but you see and hear so much
> stuff about Windows being easy and Linux being hard that I feel that I
> have to comment.  The only person who's opinion I would rate on the
> relative difficultly between Linux and Windows is someone how as spent
> equal time on both.  So that rules my opinion out on the subject.
> >
> > An example of something I don't understand at all!!
>
> Well I see Geoff's already explained all that so I don't need to.
>
> Steve
>
> --
> Steve Dobson
>
> * PerlGeek is really a space alien
> * Knghtktty believes PerlGeek
>
>
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