[ubuntu-uk] fit for the purpose

[matthew at truthisfreedom.org.uk]

On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:41:53 +0100, alan c <aeclist at candt.waitrose.com> wrote:
> Tony Travis wrote:
>> alan c wrote:
>>> norman wrote:
>>>> I believe that the very laudable efforts in promoting the use of
> Ubuntu
>>>> need to be tempered with an element of caution. As far as I can tell,
>>>> the server application is well covered and taken care of and my
> concern
>>>> is with the desktop user, of which I am one.
>>>>[...]
>>>>
>>>> Norman
>>>
>>> I concur with your view, and sympathise, counting myself fortunate
>>> that so far - as far as I know, I have not had similar problems,
>>> though I do have an important machine with a scanner - via usb -
>>> rarely used, I will need to check it. When I have time.
>>> [...]
>>
>> Hello, Norman and Alan.
>>
>> Have you ever upgraded Windows?
>>
>> Or MacOS?
>>
>> Believe me, Debian/Ubuntu is much, much easier to upgrade!
>>
>> However, I use 6.06.1 LTS for all the reasons you mention :-)
> 
> Personally I can handle it, and I agree absolutely about windows (not
> used Mac)  - for me windows was something I could never trust and
> caused a lot of worry. That why I use Linux. Linux added 10 years to
> my life!
> 
> However my point was that since I am in the voluntary 'business' of
> active advocacy, I am aware that if novices install (Ubuntu) and then
> need support, they will not get it yet from a Friend or Family Member
> (FOFM) as they currently do using windows - except me! and my skill is
> spread pretty thin.
> 
> So I can see myself possibly holding back and not encouraging some of
> my contacts into Ubuntu, because from what I know (about them) they
> will have no support. (FOFM).
> 
> My expectation is that this will change with time, soon I hope.

I currently work on a windows-based helpdesk.  I gave a copy of Ubuntu to one of our users who is renowned (and happy to admit) that they are not technically minded or hugely skilled at using computers - they know enough to do their job but that's it.

This user was able to install Ubuntu, configure it correctly to use a USB ADSL modem for internet access, configure the mail client and install flash etc. following the "instructions" in Firefox.

I'm happy to give Ubuntu to anyone I know - I know that I'm going to have less hassles than I get with the windows boxes I've installed!

Cheers,

M.