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On Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:53:27 +0000 Rhia Knowles <rhiadratech@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Yeah mint is the one I will be showing newbies. Since it installs all > the codecs as standard, can run most wifi dongles automatically, and > is set up exactly like windows with only one panel and a menu button > where a windows user expects it, its about the easiest going. > > Just explain about synaptic being a database of programs that are > guaranteed to work, and that it installs em automatically, and its a > go. > > Why complicate matters more then necessary? ... which leads to the plethora of distributions because each user needs something slightly different. One size most definitely does not fit all. > > Linux is great. I'll convert anyone convertible to it. But as for > > spreading the gospel (a nasty metaphor for those as atheistic as > > myself), well you should probably use holy books the convertee can > > read without spending years in a seminary. > > > Yeah im with you on the Gospel thing. Why make it a religion rather > then a choice? Precisely. Choice requires options, alternatives - if that leads to confusion then that, unfortunately, is the result of the freedom to choose. Offering a "choice" that fails to meet the needs of those making the decision is stupid, even insulting. If we insist on every possible CPU only ever running a Linux kernel, we're insane. (For one thing, Hurd is useful for some situations and BSD for others.) If we insist that everyone should use free software and that proprietary crud like Windows is "disallowed", we're insane. Those who choose can make their choice. Those who don't know that a choice exists can be educated and then either advised on a suitable first-stop or left to make their own choice. Those who choose proprietary (or decide to make no choice at all) can be left to sink or swim. There is no Linux gospel. There is choice and a direct and inevitable result of choice is that some of those who have the choice will be confused about the choices available. Tough. That's life. Who on this list understands all possible options for a mortgage or a pension? What about second-guessing your doctor or vet? No one person can know everything; what we don't know can result in confusion - so be it. If someone complains about their chosen selection (including the abdication of choice by ignorance) but then refuses to invest the time in exploring alternatives and which could better suit their needs, then that is their choice - they've chosen apathy. Leave them to it - until they come asking questions. All we can do is put the information out there to help those willing to take the time to make their own decision. If they choose proprietary, leave them to it. -- Neil Williams ============= http://www.data-freedom.org/ http://www.linux.codehelp.co.uk/ http://e-mail.is-not-s.ms/
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