lordkenmore
Well-known member
<span>"Linux is fine for people who have the technical ability to use it. But sad to say most people who use a PC don't have the technical ability or the patience!" </span>
<span>Linux is not necessarily any harder to use than Windows. At least, assuming a reasonably user friendly Linux distro AND a willingness for the user to learn to do things in a new way. The user's willingness to learn is critical. Ironically, people who have NO computer experience may actually have an easier time of it. While they have a sharp learning curve, they at least have no preconceived notions that "it MUST be done this way because that's the way it's done in Windows!" </span>
<span>Installation can still be a problem, although a lot depends on the hardware. I've run Linux on 2 different systems--both low end computers designed for Windows. Both had challenging moments. Other systems, however, will happily take pretty much any Linux distro thrown at it with no complaints. It's worth noting that even Windows installations can be a nightmare. There may be many drivers that are not included on the Windows install disk. And I have seen stuff that worked under one version of Windows break under a new one. One machine, for example, lost the ability to power itself off going from Windows 98 to XP. </span>
<span>Another problem: support for certain multi-media formats is often crippled. This is not a fault of Linux as it is patent laws--a lot of Linux distros are designed to be fully and freely distributable throughout the world. So they purposely avoid including support for DVD movie playback, MP3, etc. This stuff is easy to add--a fast Google search will give instructions. I believe Ubuntu now makes it very easy to add restricted media support. Or one can select a distro that is not shipped stripped down (Linux Mint for example.)</span>
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<span>Linux is not necessarily any harder to use than Windows. At least, assuming a reasonably user friendly Linux distro AND a willingness for the user to learn to do things in a new way. The user's willingness to learn is critical. Ironically, people who have NO computer experience may actually have an easier time of it. While they have a sharp learning curve, they at least have no preconceived notions that "it MUST be done this way because that's the way it's done in Windows!" </span>
<span>Installation can still be a problem, although a lot depends on the hardware. I've run Linux on 2 different systems--both low end computers designed for Windows. Both had challenging moments. Other systems, however, will happily take pretty much any Linux distro thrown at it with no complaints. It's worth noting that even Windows installations can be a nightmare. There may be many drivers that are not included on the Windows install disk. And I have seen stuff that worked under one version of Windows break under a new one. One machine, for example, lost the ability to power itself off going from Windows 98 to XP. </span>
<span>Another problem: support for certain multi-media formats is often crippled. This is not a fault of Linux as it is patent laws--a lot of Linux distros are designed to be fully and freely distributable throughout the world. So they purposely avoid including support for DVD movie playback, MP3, etc. This stuff is easy to add--a fast Google search will give instructions. I believe Ubuntu now makes it very easy to add restricted media support. Or one can select a distro that is not shipped stripped down (Linux Mint for example.)</span>
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