[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Is Linux Really Harder to Use? here

[JosephBates]

meh. i tried using ubuntu with open office once and i hated it. however, i guess I should try running it my regular computer and not from a flash drive before i finalize my opinion. Nevertheless, I am happy with my Macbook Pro and can't see using anything else other then Mac OS X and Windows 7. And OpenOffice Come nowhere near the newest release of Office

[bbvammy]

Katherine Noyes
>>In short, Linux is free, flexible, and powerful, but it definitely isn't hard.<<

BINGO!!

[bbvammy]

@JosephBates
>>meh. i tried using ubuntu with open office once and i hated it.<<

You should stick with your MacBook.

[Ramus]

Anything is harder to learn......AT FIRST. I had trouble learning Linux (and still don't know much - but at least I'm comfortable with it now). Same thing is true when Vista came out. I felt that Vista was harder to use than XP...but I played around with it and all is well.
Had a buddy who was given a PC but didn't have an OS on it. He didn't know what to do so I installed the latest version of Ubuntu for him. The first couple weeks I asked him how he liked it and his comments were always, "so-so". More time passed and now he loves it and is impressed as to what it can do. And he's not a computer type of guy.
Linux is not bad. Just need to get used to it.

[AttahSayed]

From the user point of view, usabilty is still shite in Linux maan...Moreover Win7 just raised the bar more !!!

[ReyAngeles]

Really? that is what I've been trying to tell people now for the last 3 years and for some reason is like talking to a bunch of brick walls.

I just think people in general like to pay for things and they figure if it is free then is not good enough or not good at all before even giving the product a chance. They also think that everything has to behave like Windows or else is not good.

But that just tells me that the majority of people specially here in the USA have zero clue as to what goes on outside of their little box and that is truly a total shame.

Ubuntu/Linux is good for consumers and is good for all people period as it gives them the power to be more productive and creative.

I'm glad that this article is actually putting a spotlight on Linux but to be honest people will never change and they will never listen; specially when someone is offering good advice. But to the author of the article keep fighting the good fight and promote Linux hopefully someday people will start to actually listen.

[cjfiv]

I want to use Linux, I really do and have experimented with multiple distributions over the years. I bought a Dell Mini 9 with Ubuntu on it. I like the interface, it has some great tools, and terrific games. But I believe that Linux will never catch on with Windows users until the process of installing new software is made more similar.

Windows users can download an executable file, double click it and go. Present them with the option of downloading a 'tarball' or binary files, and they are immediately lost. And people who have never been exposed to the world of package managers are in the same boat.

On the Mini 9, the package manager worked at first, then there was never anything new. After some research, I found a post that pointed me to an updated site. It downloaded a bunch of updates, but also broke some basic functionality in the process (and yes, I know that Windows updates have a bad reputation of doing the same thing - I'm not defending them).

I'm not bashing, like I said, I like Linux. I'm just offering a perspective on the main thing that I believe will continue to keep it from becoming more mainstream.

[artzy65]

Last time I looked, trying to run QuarkXPress on Linux was far too technical to be of any practical use... Quark runs perfectly fine on Mac without dicking around. Linux is really for super-techies and hobbyists I think.

[linuxiac]

I have Pre-K through 12th grade students all running Linux Mint without any problems, and their "Tech Support" is classmates.

Anything you can do on Microsoft Windows, they accomplish on Linux, since at least 2005, when the school switched to a genuine compliant OS that meets Federal CIPA.

Linux is immune to the million Microsoft virus/malware/exploits.

The 31,000 "FREE" GNU software applications are "FREE" to you, because taxpayers, students, and consumers, in 124 nations, already paid for development.

The Fortune 500, hundreds of colleges and universities, thousands of government contractors to the military, and NASA space programs, have developed everything from the "INTERNET" to the Mars Rovers, to the NSA SELinux firewalls!

To grab any of the 31,000 "FREE" programs, in Linux Mint, click Menu>Package Manager and choose, click to install.

Easier than anything ever done before!!! Full upgrades are in the shield in the tool panel. When Linux updates, every program, game, and installed application is also checked and updated to the latest version!

IF there is a script for fine tuning of some user options, you are asked if you want that overwritten! Y/n means that the default choice is YES! Click the enter key, and it is done!

Then, there is the INSTANT help, in the X-Chat window, plus, forums on the browsers!

Linux Mint gives full, unlimited, FREE support to ALL users!

If you have a question or problem, simply go to linuxmint.com.
If you desire to have hand holding about Linux, pick a local LUG meeting to attend.

Florida has 11 of them. My favorite is leap-cf.org

Running one of the 452 GNU/Linux or 36 BSD OSes? Welcome to the 21st Century!

Concurrent, multi-tasking, multi-processing parallel systems are up to 200 times faster in the processes, than Microsoft consecutive processing, single user, single tasking OSes.

There is NO FREE LUNCH! But, sometimes, lunch is provided by your parents, friends, and the great civilization that created the prosperity you enjoy!

[GetReal]

Getting old sucks! I have been using MS operating systems since DOS 1.0 up to Windows-7, Not really liking any version except W2K and Xp but looking for change & reduced cost. Along the way have tried Linux probably 5 to 8 times, the most recent being Ubuntu. Each attempt with Linux lasted about a week until deleted, as I could never determine how to install new software correctly. Ubuntu comes with lots of extra software on the CD that is optional to use and out of about 8 programs I selected, the install process seemed to complete Ok but I could never find the resultant program in any folder or menu.
Probably just my limited ability but still, this could be much better!

[Ramus]

linuxiac, on 02 August 2010 - 04:23 PM, said:

Linux is immune to the million Microsoft virus/malware/exploits.

There are viruses out there for Linux, too, albeit not as many as Windows. I feel that if Linux was the monopoly operating system and roles were reversed with Windows then Linux would require all the antivirus, malware and spyware programs too. Linux is only "virus free" because it's not worth any programmers' time trying to open vulnerabilities for a system that is not used as widely as Windows.
Linux offers programs that are similar if not identical to highly expensive programs that the average PC user would purchase for a Windows based unit.
Want Photoshop ($800.00+) but don't have it? Download Gimp from the package manager (it's FREE! and has 80% of the features and capabilities as Photoshop) - OR - if you have Photoshop you can install it onto Linux through Wine!
I agree that many people toss Linux to the side because it's not as "user friendly" as Windows or they think it's too "technical" (which it is in a way). But then again, they are the ones who buy any PC at the local Best Buy already built with the latest Windows OS, not realizing that they actually have choices.
The same is true with Mac and their OS updates.
And even though we are all free to choose, when it all boils down to the real "issue" - it all crashes down to laziness. Convenience and ease of use supersedes the will to learn something new.

This post has been edited by Ramus: 02 August 2010 - 04:55 PM

[CalumBenson]

Sorry, but as a regular user of Solaris, Linux, WIndows and OS X, Linux still gives me the most problems on a regular basis.

[waldojim]

artzy65, on 02 August 2010 - 03:11 PM, said:

Last time I looked, trying to run QuarkXPress on Linux was far too technical to be of any practical use... Quark runs perfectly fine on Mac without dicking around. Linux is really for super-techies and hobbyists I think.

was that 95 or 97 you last checked? lol

[waldojim]

Ramus, on 02 August 2010 - 04:51 PM, said:

linuxiac, on 02 August 2010 - 04:23 PM, said:

Linux is immune to the million Microsoft virus/malware/exploits.

There are viruses out there for Linux, too, albeit not as many as Windows. I feel that if Linux was the monopoly operating system and roles were reversed with Windows then Linux would require all the antivirus, malware and spyware programs too. Linux is only "virus free" because it's not worth any programmers' time trying to open vulnerabilities for a system that is not used as widely as Windows.

Not to the same extreme because of how quickly things get updated, and how Linux maintains system wide security. A Virus cannot easily entrench itself into a Linux system as it can Windows. Don't get me wrong, it is possible to gain root access, but it is MUCH harder, and Linux is much quicker to patch those holes.

Quote

Linux offers programs that are similar if not identical to highly expensive programs that the average PC user would purchase for a Windows based unit.
Want Photoshop ($800.00+) but don't have it? Download Gimp from the package manager (it's FREE! and has 80% of the features and capabilities as Photoshop) - OR - if you have Photoshop you can install it onto Linux through Wine!
I agree that many people toss Linux to the side because it's not as "user friendly" as Windows or they think it's too "technical" (which it is in a way). But then again, they are the ones who buy any PC at the local Best Buy already built with the latest Windows OS, not realizing that they actually have choices.
The same is true with Mac and their OS updates.
And even though we are all free to choose, when it all boils down to the real "issue" - it all crashes down to laziness. Convenience and ease of use supersedes the will to learn something new.

all too true. people are lazy these days.

[Tedster]

Tried installing ubuntu on 2 different systems. One wouldn't install on my laptop (kept hanging on installation) and the other required me to erase completely all my data from my xp installation (also a no go). I've tried it at work and never liked it as it was too complicated, but I thought what the heck, maybe if I have it at home I can get used to it. Well I guess I'll never know. too bad.

[ReyAngeles]

For all you that are complaining about not being able to install software as easy as it is on Windows. You guys are the reasons why that OS is totally damaged and virus infested. OOOh look at this cool software, oh there is that .exe/.msi file which no one has verified to make sure is clean of viruses and BAM your PC is infected. The reason why Linux is safer is because of the simple fact that the Software lives in a repository which the distributions like Ubuntu and LinuxMint verify to make sure that they are safe to install. But there is also a way to install software outside of the package manager. For example if you use Ubuntu anything that has a .deb or .DEB extension will install just like an .exe or .msi file in windows.

But there is also another way to do it which is to add the software repositories from any vendor that supplies one which will automatically update the software. So to say that you don't like something because you don't know how to do it is pretty lame folks.

The issue here like I had mentioned before and yet people post things prior to reading is that You all think that Linux should behave and act like Windows when it is not. And it seems you guys forgot to read the actual article too. LOL...hilarious.

Installing software in Ubuntu is as simple as going to Applications> Ubuntu Software Center, do a search and click install.

If you got a .DEB file right-click on it and choose "Open With GDebi Package Installer" it can't get any simpler than that.

For the GUY with the QuarkXPres issue, Use Scribus which is like Pagemaker and QuarkXPres again maybe not as comparable feature by feature but it will get the Job done.

The Guy with the Dell Mini9 issue, if you broke your system you probably did something you were not suppose to just like you probably would have in Windows. Updates do not break the system unless you messed with a configuration file or something. Try messing with the Windows registry and then do a windows update and see what happens.

If you live in Florida and need tech support you can get it through IRC chat by choosing the Ubuntu Servers and then going to the #ubuntu-us-fl channel. Usually every state has one, if not go into the main channel #ubuntu.

[ReyAngeles]

Yeap, you guys can keep windows. See this is exactly why http://content.usato...-windows-flaw/1

[ReyAngeles]

For all you that would like to use GIMP but have trouble figuring things out take a look at this site.

http://www.ghuj.com/

[HaraldEngels24yu]

I consider myself as very proficient with Windows since version 2.0. Many times curiosity made me trying Linux but I always had given up quickly because it felt so unfamiliar and all my Windows details knowledge was useless there. One year ago I tried it again and promised myself not to give up so quickly how I did before. Although I have still some PCs running Windows (mainly Windows 7 and XP) and an Apple notebook most of the PCs in my environment (at home and work) are now running Ubuntu. I can't image to return to Windows for my daily work. Ubuntu combines the low level of maintenance of my Apple iBook with the flexibility of Windows. There was no Windows application which could not be replaced with a free Linux alternative. No longer hassle with malicious software, serial numbers and a system which is increasingly slowing down month by month. Today I am finding Ubuntu much more logical and easier to use than Windows. So I am quite happy that I finally made the switch and I am enjoying now the fact to work now "with my computer" and not always hours "on my computer" what was the standard to keep Windows going well. Therefore I can only encourage even die hard Windows users to give Ubuntu a serious look and a fair chance to convince you that there is an amazing computing world beyond Windows.