[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

there is a nice article with a family flavour about ease of use at
http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/88684/

-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391