[ubuntu-uk] fit for the purpose

[alan c]

Robin Menneer wrote:
> On 21/06/07, alan c <aeclist at candt.waitrose.com> wrote:
>>
>> matthew at truthisfreedom.org.uk wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> > 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!
>>
>> That is great! Unfortunately most of the non technical people I know
>> would not even know what USB, or a modem was.
>>
>> I would also be interested to know more about the adsl usb modem you
>> mention. My understanding to date is that adsl with USB (rather than
>> ethernet) is likely to give problems, even with 7.04. To what extent
>> is this true now?
>>
>> (Presumably it is a non router - adsl usb modem only?)
>>
>> --
>> alan cocks
>> Kubuntu user#10391
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
>> https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
>>
> 
> I got Ubuntu loaded on my machine because I was led to believe that the
> updates that I gratefully receive are distributed  in order to keep my
> software healthy,   I have thought that Ubuntu is reliable, free and
> friendly - apparently not ?
>  I'm not interested in comparing with Windows because I'm using Ubuntu.  I
> don't need updates which are likely to make my life more difficult.
> Bewildered,  Robin

It is reliable, free and friendly and I have no hesitation in saying 
that. That is not saying that you will never need to use either some 
experience or a more knowledgeable helper.

There is a very wide range of support, local groups meetings and 
online, and companies offering paid for support.
My comments have not applied to these, they have applied to novice 
users, possibly elderly, who use windows, have friends with windows, 
but would have no friends except myself, using Ubuntu. I am only oine 
person locally... an dmy skill is limited anyway.
It does not stop me helping a neighbour to buy a new dell desktop 
yesterday online and installing Kubuntu dial boot, which is already 
arranged and appreciated.

Please do not be bewildered Robin.
I believe Normans original point included using applications which 
were not exactly mainstream. I tried Pan for example and preferred 
Thunderbird. My USB connected all in one printer only ever worked 
properly with Linux because the windows xp drivers often gave trouble.
hth
-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391