multimedia software

On Mon, 2005-11-21 at 07:39 +0800, John wrote:
> Matthew East wrote:
> > On Sun, 2005-11-20 at 17:20 +0800, John wrote:
> > 
> >>Marius Bock wrote:

> > Is this a big issue? I am pretty sure installing java is relatively easy
> > for anyone able to follow instructions
> > (http://help.ubuntu.com/starterguide/C/faqguide-all.html#sect-java )
> 
> 
> It's a huge issue. Start with the perfectly-reasonable assumption that 
> your user doesn't know about gnome-terminal, konsole or bash prompts.
> 
> Most computer users I know are like this. OTOH they could probably find 
> "install java" on a menu and click it. Yhey might be able to choose 
> correctly between "install just for me" and "install for everyone."

As I said, I'm not expert, but I still disagree with you. It isn't such
a huge issue, in my view, because:

* It's not free. 
* People who want non-free software usually have a good reason (e.g. no
free alternative etc).
* It's reasonable to expect users who want non-free software and have a
good reason to have to go through some (simple) steps to install it.
* The Starter Guide has a step by step guide to installation which even
the most vaguely motivated user can follow (yes, it uses the terminal,
but it has an explanation of that too).

Perhaps the Ubuntu solution could be made better, yes. However a couple
of alternative routes I would also suggest: 1. go to Sun and whinge,
rather than Ubuntu, 2. go to Mozilla and whinge if firefox can't install
the relevant plugin automatically (which I rather think it can).

Matt
-- 
mdke at ubuntu.com
gnupg pub 1024D/0E6B06FF
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: This is a digitally signed message part
Url : http://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/sounder/attachments/20051121/3f186e99/attachment-0001.pgp