Ubuntu users in Ontario, Canada?

[geo]

Hi

I finally found something on how to install Joomla. But it only confirms my problem.

I do have PHP5 and MySql installed (by the Synaptic.....by golly there's too much to choose from, this list should be pared down for us non-Linux folk! It's WAY too much useless information to pick and guess through).

I've restarted the computer to make sure whatever got installed would be "done" - typical Windows thing but what else can you do!

I still cannot install Joomla, I still get the same repetition of what to do with PHP files, open with Firefox or Save to disk. I click Open and it just repeats.

How come these things aren't geared for ex-Windows users? Don't the people at Ubuntu realize that by putting Ubuntu on Dell computers, this invites a whole community of non-Linux people to the software which is so stupefyingly complex to comprehend.

I'm not an uneducated person - I have a degree in electronics engineering - but my knowledge is in electronics hardware - not in software at all. I never touch software in my work an an engineer, but I'm a hardware specialist, particularly in Analog electronics design, but not simulated Analog circuits in software - the old fashioned way, even in my head is the best way. I have my own home lab too.

So you can imagine how frustrating this makes me feel. And insulted. Imagine an average high-school educated person trying all of this out, what their experience would be like! They would never touch Linux again.

But sadly nobody listens, even on the Ubuntu forum answers.launchpad.net, it seems to be geared towards a computer-programmer culture which is a HUGE drawback and will definitely prevent the successful spread of Linux.

This kind of stuff has to be ported successfully - away from the influence of Linux  culture and enthusiasts - so professionals and regular folk who aren't programmers, and who simply don't have the knowledge or time to spend on learning this stuff can still make good use of it at home or at work. The computer is supposed to do the work after all but some of this software makes you wonder what you bought a microprocessor for.

I've been using Ubuntu for over a year now. But there are times when I get so frustrated and tired of this programming lingo that I just want to give it up and go back to Windows (or preferably Mac).

Enough said on that....

I still can't make any use at all of this Joomla stuff and certainly from my experience on the launchpad forum, any attempt to even understand what "htacess" is all about, well that's just for people who live and breathe computers - I'm just trying to use mine and simply don't have the time to turn it into an on-going lab experiment. The kids use it, my wife uses it - it can't be turned into an on-going experiment.

What am I supposed to do? Please advise? I still need a usable solution but something that is aimed at "more stupid" people who come from a Windows or Mac environment, something that will let me get the job done - configure the computer properly without guesswork, and not waste my time on stuff that should already have been done by the software.

Thanks,
geo



      
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