avidan2006 wrote:I was floored when I installed my Windows 10 OS only to discover it was packed with logging features that broadcast my private information to Microsoft's "Trusted Partners". The privacy issues, combined with Microsoft's stance that they would decide when I would and would not update my system, made me realize that the Windows I knew was no longer going to be the same. It had become a desktop version of a mobile device. I already have a cell phone, I don't need a giant one on my desk, I need a desktop operating system.
I dunno - I don't read these forums too heavily, so I can't say if that's true. But I find it probable enough. Assume it is.Ceilidh2 wrote:You've come to the wrong place to find people who are hugely sympathetic towards those who are hung up on Window$. There tends to be something of a siege mentality amongst the refugees here.
I find this disdain towards Windows users very unfair.
First of all, not everyone has to be a "power user". To everyone who thinks that a person who very much values the simplicity of use is "unworthy" to use a computer at all: What kind of a washing machine do you use? Do you use a washing machine that allows you to set everything by hand - the number and speed and interval of drum turnovers? The temperature? How many times and when the rinsing will happen? Etc? Do you exactly set all of this by hand, or do you set up a program for "cotton colors" and allow everything to be set by it?
Kindly understand that for many people the computer is the tool, not the goal. And I see nothing wrong with this approach. For these people, the computer just has to do it's job well, without making them study it, understand it or fight it. Just like the refrigerator. Or a washing machine. Not everyone has to be a hobbyist.
Also note the car example. Many people are hobbyists or have a professional interest in cars. These people know very much about cars and are "car power-users". But many people have other interests. They know about their cars as little as necessary to actually successfully drive from home to work, even if they do not do this with full efficiency. How much do you know about your car?
You just can't be an expert in everything. Why force people to be experts in computing or disdain those who aren't?
To everyone who thinks that if someone doesn't have strong interests in computing Linux just isn't for him.
The reasons enumerated by Avidan state otherwise. There is a large problem of the violation of users' privacy by software manufacturers. Sadly Microsoft seems to have joined that dangerous trend. I believe every person desires to use his computer like any other tool - so that they can be sure their tool doesn't spy on them and that they - not the company - have full control over their tool. So that they can be sure they can install whatever they want and don't have to stomach an uninstallable facebook app (the case of my cellphone). So that they can be sure the company doesn't put preinstalled remote control tools with rights even exceeding the users'. These are normal expectations while using a drill. Or a car, but sadly, cars are becoming another example of tools that have no respect for this right. Or a computer, for that matter. Or a cell phone.
Linux seems to provide at least some hope that it will be fair towards it's users. And that's exactly why Linux must be competitive on the market for normal people.
And don't worry, elitists. You may gleefully dwell in your niche. But only until it happens that whoever doesn't use the software developed by corporations will be excluded. If Linux shuts itself in it's niche, sooner or later it will be marginalised. And that's because of the compatibility issues.
They are a significant problem here. Of course Linux developers are not responsible for all of them, this is also the responsibility of a multitude of other people, some of them having interests in these issues taking place. The biggest problem here is that these problems might lead to Linux failing in it's greatest strength: the ability to actually get things done, whether or not in an user-friendly way. Suddenly we might see the alternative: either we use Linux, or we get things done.
And I'm not a devout Stallman worshipper nor a hater of capitalism. If the software is fair for me, I don't care if it is Free and Open Source or not or if it was developed by a business company or not. Wolfram Mathematica is not FOSS and it is developed by Wolfram Research, Inc. And while I didn't study it, so I can't say for sure, but I find it not very probable that Mathematica is guilty of the crimes I'm ranting against.
Again, I can't judge if this statement is true. Especially since there was some controversy about it in the thread I'm referring to. But if it's true:Ceilidh2 wrote: Also, for the most part, the programs available to this tiny slice of the non-market were and are developed by amateurs and enthusiasts who really don't give a damn what you want. Why should they? They are just doing it for fun.
Well, if the developers themselves show the finger to the users of their software... Goodbye democratic freedoms, welcome tyranny of the distributors!
Seriously though. I suppose many will disagree with this statement. But if someone wants to do something for himself and just for himself, he simply should not release the results of his work. But as soon as this is done and people start using and needing this piece of work... well, at this point it ceases to be just the author's playground. The author suddenly starts having responsibilities to his users, whether he disclaims it or not. I think in some cases availability trumps property. Note that I don't mean FOSS here - I think the term "property" may also mean the attitude that the author's project is the author's project and therefore he will contribute to it only according to his wishes, and may cease developing it without passing it to somebody else. And, as stated above, there is the need of a user-friedly, useful and fair OS to be available.
Finally, a set of disclaimers. I do not consider Avidan an idiot. I know that Linux Mint values the simplicity of use quite a lot by Linux standards. And I know not every Linux user has the mentality I was criticising. I was addressing only those who do.
P.S. As you can most probably see, I'm not native to English. Very sorry for any problems that arise because of this.
