[ubuntu-za] Ubuntu - modems etc - was Modem works with Dapper but not with Edgy

[Bill Cairns]

On Mon, 2007-03-19 at 19:10 +0200, Dave Matthews wrote:
> 
> "Should I train somebody with basic linux/ubuntu desktop skills? Will 
> they get a job with those skills?"
> 

This is an interesting question. Personally I believe that general
computer skills are pretty transferable between platforms. So you should
train people to have computer literacy which you can do using Linux.
Specific skills in specific products may (obviously) require more
specific training.

But this is not the question that I was raising. I was talking about the
average home user who wants email, browsing capabilities, word processor
(perhaps spreadsheet) and the ability to manage digital photographs.
Maybe a few simple games. Linux - and Ubuntu specifically - is an ideal
platform for this sort of user: it can run on old machines, it requires
no software purchases.

But the trouble with Linux in this sort of "Mom and Pops" environment is
that there is very little support available to get the thing working.
Most computer savvy people have no difficulty getting a modem working on
XP, but would not have a clue how to do it on Ubuntu (although it is
actually much easier - if you know the ropes). 

The problem gets worse when the beast does not behave as it should - or
as we think it should - and even the user support community cannot help.
In the case of modems, most Ubuntu experts cannot help because they
don't use dial-up connections themselves and so do not even have the
facilities to help. But the people who most need the support are the
same people who have the old machines and only have dial-up
connectivity. The result, I am afraid, is that Windows becomes the
logical solution.

I think that there is an opportunity here.

Bill