MEPIS may be going Ubuntu

[Randy Gloden]

"you want it to be *more* usable for one class of uses that
require non-free software."

Mako, this *one* "class" don't even know the meaning of the word free/non-free.  They have never ever heard the phrases "Free as in Beer" or "Free as in Liberty."

I would understand your sentiment if you are only trying to win over Gentoo, Mandrake, or anyone else already steeped in the Linux way of doing things.  Mako, I didn't write the Debian Bible like you did, and I most definately do not have a fraction of your knowledge in things Linux, however, one thing I do know for a fact, is how many users outside the "Linux class" react to the  Linux experience and the "sermon" I give trying to explain how the steeper learning curve will be worth it.  I know these things because I *"am"* involved in trying to expand our community.

Maybe my approach is wrong.  If they don't instinctively dive in to the documentation, I should tell them to get their tails back over to XP, because, often that is where their heading anyway.  Don't you understand that many in the *largest *"class" of users don't even know what a Wiki is?  If I only passed out Ubuntu CDs to the Linux crowd, then this wouldn't be an issue.  Instead, I go to the potential users house, show them how to change their repositories, how to tweak this setting and that.  Then I look into their faces and see the helpless look that screams "Oh crap, things don't just work with this OS!"  Sure, give me any Windows savvy Nerd and he will eat up the challege.  Heck, give that guy Slackware and he will do fine, if that is the "class" you are trying to target.

And, more usuable for one class does not mean *less* usable for another necessarily.

I didn't intend to throw out any flamebait.  I was just expressing some frustration.  So if I'm in a "class" by myself, so be it.  Maybe a more productive angle would be to find out how to make these non-free (or non-legal) things free/legal. 


-------	Randy Gloden
	www.microbabble.com 



Benj. Mako Hill wrote:

><quote who="Randy Gloden" date="Sat, Feb 11, 2006 at 12:11:14AM -0600">
>  
>
>>However, when I hand out a Ubuntu CD for others to install on their
>>own, I will inevitablly hear back that much of the functionality
>>that they take for granted from their Redmondsoft installs is
>>missing.  They want to play DVDs, mp3, and expect to surf the net
>>and have most multimedia element function correctly.  (The Dells of
>>the world are shipping WinDVD/PowerDVD like mad) These people don't
>>want to hear a sermon on the higher principles associated with free
>>software.
>>    
>>
>
>Nobody is shipping sermons along with Ubuntu. Far from it. Ubuntu
>includes binary drivers on the install CDs and includes other non-free
>software in the repositories accessible with a simple adult choice to
>install from them.
>
>Many people want to know *why* Ubuntu doesn't ship certain pieces of
>software and the website and wiki reflect this and try to explain the
>philosophical and legal reasons behind the decision. People also want
>to know how to use these non-free tools and the wiki, forums, and such
>also explain how to do this.
>
>You call for some sort of compromises that make Ubuntu usable. In
>reality, you want it to be *more* usable for one class of uses that
>require non-free software. In fact, Ubuntu is built on a set of
>compromises that challenge the principles of many people involved in
>the project and that not everyone is comfortable with.
>
>  
>
>>Perhaps Mepis serves that niche, gathering from the strength of Ubuntu, 
>>yet braving the waters that pose to great a risk to this community.
>>    
>>
>
>That may be the case.
>
>It's perhaps worth noting that the only reason MEPIS can build on
>Ubuntu -- and make the project stronger in the process -- is because
>Ubuntu made the choice to create a completely free base that others
>could take, repurpose and rebuild with any extra permission. The same
>will not be true for anyone hoping to make a derivative of MEPIS.
>
>Regards,
>Mako
>
>
>  
>