[ubuntu-uk] Sad but true? From the Register

[Alan Pope]

2009/1/15 Liam Proven <lproven at gmail.com>:
> When I read the article, I wondered *why* she couldn't access the web
> site. Two possible reasons spring to mind:
>
> [1] She's using some kind of USB Internet connection that doesn't work
> [2] It's a completely Flash-driven site, when Ubuntu doesn't include

[3] She read the manual which said "insert the cd" first before
plugging in the router - not remotely uncommon.

If someone expects a piece of hardware to work using an install CD
from a manufacturer, who is to blame _really_? Dell for not educating
her? Ubuntu for not educating her? The manufacturer for not shipping
an autorunning Ubuntu-compatible CD? Or is it her own fault for not
contacting _someone_ for support, but plugging away at it? Who knows.

> Either way, this is a problem in Ubuntu, if the woman can't get a
> connection easily.
>

Debateable. It's a problem that manifests itself when a new user to
Ubuntu tries to get up and running, not sure if it's a problem with
Ubuntu itself per-se.

> Flash. This is a political decision - I've been debating it recently
> on Ubuntu-sounder, in fact. The sad reality is that because of the
> Ubuntu project's determination to ship only Free software, excluding
> drivers, when Ubuntu comes out of the box, it's crippled.

So is Windows. I installed Windows 7 the other day and do you know
what! There was:-

* No office software
* No pdf viewer
* No graphics editor

Etc.

> No Java is a
> minor problem, no RealPlayer or QuickTime or WindowsMedia is a bigger
> one, no MP3 support is a big issue, but no Flash is absolutely huge.

It's been explained to you why we don't ship flash on the sounder
list. I don't think we need to have that whole debate all over again.

> This is again a problem with Ubuntu, but it's a deliberately-chosen
> one, and I'm not sure if anything can be done about it.
>

Gnash, swfdec. Try them out.

Cheers,
Al.