[ubuntu-uk] fit for the purpose

[Robin Menneer]

On 21/06/07, alan c <aeclist at candt.waitrose.com> wrote:
>
> 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
>
> --
> ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/


Thank you for the encouragement.  You're right, I'm elderly (and now
sllow-witted), rural dwelling and socially immobile and therefore isolated.
Most of the local LUG list is technically far above me but I live on in the
belief that a direct query to a Ubuntu list will bring forth a valid
solution.   Robin
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