<html> <head> <style></style> </head> <body class='hmmessage'> Dear All <style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; }</style> It's been very interesting to read comments about my description of setting up Ubuntu for a non-techie Windows user. It's very hard to disagree with any of the points raised, both for and against. My overall view, reflected in the approach I took, is that the overwhelming majority of Linux users are attracted primarily by the practical benefits, The underlying philosophy of open source software is very important, but if the software wasn't any good we wouldn't use it. For the average Windows user there is no affinity with their software at any level. It's simply what is on their computer when they buy it. Once they become familiar with Windows it is simply the way computers work. When there is a major software problem that can only be resolved by reinstallation of the OS, they don't bin the whole computer and buy a Mac, they go out and, if necessary, buy another copy of Windows. This only serves to further enhance Microsoft's revenues and market dominance. The great strength of Linux over the Mac is that it provides a real alternative to Windows without the need to buy new hardware. This is an advantage that we should build upon. I fully accept the point that presenting Ubuntu as an "alternative" to Windows can be taken as presenting Windows as the benchmark, but I'm not so sure that's a bad thing, when we know it's a benchmark that Ubuntu can beat in so many areas. To "sell" Ubuntu on any kind of philosophical basis is a waste of time when addressing Windows users. Although I am a self-confessed geek, I really only came to Ubuntu after finally having enough of 5 minute boot-ups and regular system lockups with Windows. My embracing of the FLOSS concept followed later. We need to acknowledge that many users don't even recognise the distinction between a computer and the OS. They just want their computer to work reliably and securely, and do the things they want it to do. Ubuntu should do all it can to make the transition for Windows users as simple as possible. If that means having an optional UI that is very much like Windows, so be it. Once you've got Ubuntu onto the computer, the user will inevitably tinker around and discover the UI flexibility offered by Gnome, Xfce, KDE, etc. By then, of course, if Ubuntu is really as good as we believe it is, the user will be a convert anyway. Regards Nige </body> </html>