[Sussex] web security glitch!!

[Dominic Humphries]

Steve Redshaw wrote:
> So yes, I confess, I would rather prefer an OS with a familiar feel, 

It's still a few years away yet, but ReactOS is a fairly promising 
attempt to create an open-source implementation of a Windows-compatible 
OS. One to keep an eye on, perhaps..

> My next questions then are these; 

Ah, the tricky bit :o)

> Is the Linux community able to embrace the average 'non-geek' computer user?

Usually, yes. Particularly these days, with distros like Ubuntu having 
this exact aim. Possibly the most important thing is to make sure you 
make it clear that you aren't an experienced, in-depth Linux user. Some 
of us will go right ahead and assume every Linux user knows and likes 
the command-line and is fully aware of what 'cron' is ;o)

> Does it have the patience to teach me about the benefits of Linux and encourage others like me to use it?

Usually, although there are attitude problems on both sides. (I remember 
some of the responses I got to problems I had from Slackware 'gurus' a 
few years ago.. anyone who thinks that places like the Ubuntu forums 
aren't welcoming enough of new users should take a look at some archives 
from Slackware's past :o)

> Does it want to do this anyway?

Yes, but it IS important to remember that the people writing free 
software are (generally) not interested in selling it to you.

> Am I just a leech after a cheap computer system? What can I contribute to Linux and its development?

Absolutely not!

The mere fact that you participate in discussions about Linux moves you 
firmly out of the "leech" camp. You don't have to contribute code to 
make a contribution to Linux. You don't even have to write articles or 
"howto" guides. Just coming online and saying "I can't work out how to 
do this" is a useful contribution: If you have that problem, the chances 
are that other people will have it, too. So the software maintainers can 
take that feedback and work out how to improve usability, or the 
community can write a new and/or improved "How to use this software" 
guide, or people can just google the problem and find the answers that 
you were given when you had the problem.

Being an active Linux user is all that it takes to be a contributor. 
Asking questions is a form of constructive critiscism. Getting the 
answers and learning how Linux works makes you a useful, knowledgeable 
user who can help other people with THEIR problems. "What goes around, 
comes around" and all that.

On the whole subject of "Which is the easier OS to use?", here's one 
thing I can gaurantee: If you stick with Linux for a year or two, you 
WILL reach a point where you come back to Windows and try to accomplish 
something, only to fail and ask in frustration "Why can't this be as 
easy as it is in Linux??" - it might be hard to believe right now, but 
that day will come.

Happened to me. Still happens all the time. My laptop runs Vista as well 
as Linux, and the only thing that makes it usable for me is the vast 
amount of multi-platform software and, in the more extreme cases, 
Cygwin's "emulation" of Linux. And I've used every version of Windows 
since the 3.1 days.

Hope at least some of this helps!

Dominic