[CoLoCo] A Serious Issue Not Taken Seriously.

[Jim Hutchinson]

There are two issues here.

On Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 10:38 AM, Michael TheZorch Haney <thezorch at gmail.com
> wrote:

> Ok, I'm hoping that all of you are smarter than the people in the Ubuntu
> Forums and some mailing lists I'm on because when I explain this problem
> to them they just don't get it.
>
> There is a problem with Ubuntu 8.04 that is locking users into a screen
> resolution of 640x480 because the install scripts are unable to identify
> what kind of monitor they are using, so the install falls back on a
> default setting.


First, there were changes to the xserver and how it's used (or not) in 8.04.
I didn't read up on them so I don't really know what changed or how much. I
only recall reading there was move toward something else. You may have
noticed that the xorg.conf file seems much simpler now than in the past. I
don't know the degree to which this is a problem. I've never had issues in
the past and none now either. However, some people have always had
resoultion issues (search any forum) and it's always been a sticking point
so I don't think things are getting worse and I think the goal is to make
them better. It may be a bumpy road, though.


>
> This is why I've been trying to get people to understand how such a
> small, simple problem is growing into a rather serious issue.  They're
> sticking their heads in the sand pretending its not there or that its
> not a serious problem.  The fact is, when I try to explain how serious
> this is and that this is costing Ubuntu new users they blow me off.
>
> The developers who maintain Ubuntu need to know that this is very
> serious and that they need to address this.  Just putting a drop down
> box or something in the Screen Resolution app for choosing your monitor
> type would be a good start.  Why is this a concept that's so hard to
> understand?
>
> I need your thoughts on this because it boggles my mind that nobody is
> able to really comprehend the gravity of this situation.


This is a common complaint/issue and I've heard it a lot. Basically, the
argument goes like this: in order for Ubuntu to take over the world, it
needs to be user friendly. Since most users use windows it has to be more
like windows so it's easy for them to adopt. Unfortunatley, there are (at
least) two problems with this line of thinking (and I'm not saying that this
is your argument, just the standard one). First, it assumes that the goal of
Ubuntu is to take over the world. While many users would love to see Ubuntu
or Linux in general supplant windows, most would just be happy to have it be
recognized as an option and to have businesses consider it whether they
develop software or use computers. Linus has said taking over is not a goal
but will be an unintended consequence. The second problem is the assumption
that because windows is the defacto standard that Ubuntu has to be windows
like. But windows is crap and if Ubuntu ever tries to mimic it it too will
become crap. Linux is different and it's that difference that makes it
strong.

Now, I fully realize that most people making this claim are not asking for
Ubuntu to mimic windows but for it to mimic the ease of use of windows so
that the computer morons of the world can use it. However, if you think
about it, Ubuntu is already easier than windows. It's easier to install and
easier to do anything with for a variety of reasons (it's complete with OO.o
and other apps, it doens't need AV software, it will configure most hardware
without additional drivers, etc). It's only harder when the hardware won't
cooperate and that isn't an Ubuntu problem, that is a vendor problem.

Consumers who have problems running Ubuntu need to complain to the computer
manufacturers. They need to declline their windows EULA and fight for a
refund forcing vendors to offer Ubuntu or Linux as an option which will
force them to use Linux friendly hardware or force their vendors to develop
Linux drivers (or open them). That is the response I would give to people
saying they can't use Ubuntu. They are barking up the wrong tree.

My $0.02 (which may be worth even less as I'm just computer moron with Linux
friendly hardware (which I bought intentionally)).

-- 
Jim (Ubuntu geek extraordinaire)
----
Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
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