[Tfug] Waste-Not Warehouse - was(Computer Recycling)

[Tyler]

The point that always gets missed in these arguments is the audience.

In this case, by "audience," I mean the intended recipient of the machine.  In
this case, we are discussing someone that would receive a computer from
a charity organization.  This person isn't going to have an opinion on the
"evil" Microsoft corporation.  He or she may have little or no computer 
experience.
He or she may have been turned down for a job or promotion based on the lack
of those skills.  He or she needs those skills to enter/re-enter the work 
force.

Let's face it, even a modern X-based GUI is cumbersome for most neophytes.
Then there is the issue of software.  Being able to use Star Office and X 
doesn't
translate well to the poor person receiving the machine who will need to 
develop
skills in Microsoft Word under Windows to find that job or get promoted.

I think all us UNIX and UNIX-Like OS fans need to be realistic about
the level of technical ability in the population as well as the level of
sophistication required in an OS to support that population.


I proselytize UNIX over Windows on most days in the world of servers, so
what I say is born of customer-related technology experience and not
some sort of pro-Microsoft propaganda.  I think there's definitely a reason 
that Red Hat is going commercial, and it's not all greed.

The home UNIX product line is, quite simply, not ready for the masses.







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# Tyler Kilian, CCNP, SCSA
# Technology Director, Dakota Communications
# TKilian at DakotaCom.NET | 520.745.3900 x 100