Some points/issues to discuss about the desktop

[John]

Matt Zimmerman wrote:

>On Wed, Sep 01, 2004 at 09:47:41PM +0100, Colin Watson wrote:
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>>On Wed, Sep 01, 2004 at 09:37:48PM +0100, Mark Shuttleworth wrote:
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>>>In some future release, we should analyse the system and create a 
>>>default desktop that reflects what we think the system is capable of 
>>>(wifi, battery, sound etc).
>>>      
>>>
>>We nobbled a lot of d-i's handling of this kind of thing in the name of
>>having the same set of packages installed on every system. Perhaps that
>>or something like it could be resurrected; if people still don't like
>>varying the set of packages that are installed, d-i could leave notes
>>somewhere about what it found, and something later could parse them.
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>>
>
>I do still feel that we should have a consistent set of packages installed.
>If the user later inserts a WiFi card, they should get the applet (and thus
>they must already have it installed).
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This is essential.

One of the big selling points of the Mac is "It just works."

I walk past a wireless network. My powerbook attempts to join.

I took my 17" G4 into a camera shop, chose a digital camera, the 
salesman took some pics, we plugged it in an iphoto popped up.

Took on holiday, Sister's and Nevvies cameras, same deal.

Plug a new NIC into a RHL box, and Kudzu pops up when you boot and asks 
about it.
In contrast, changing a NIC in Woody is a major hassle.

If it doesn't "just work," what are you offering my parents?

I'll be mentioning my parents from time to time as examples of 
not-capable-prospective-new-users. They've heard how wonderful computers 
& the Internet are, but haven't actually tried for themselves except for 
playing the occasional game of patience on one of mine.

They're in their 80s. Target them and you have a market: anyone who 
thinks they want a computer, and who can barely plug stuff in.