Re: Win32 port

[Cory Watson <gphat cafes net>]

At 09:18 AM 6/7/00 +0200, you wrote:
>Most computer users just need an appliance that does the one or two things
>they need without a lot of fuss. Linux can easily do that while hiding the
>complexities. There is no need to come up with a special distro that
>reduces the power of the system. It's just a matter of configuring the end
>user's environment.

No need?  Linux isn't going to make it onto the desktop without something 
like this (unless someone manages to create some all-knowing graphical 
config tool or installer), and you can quote me on that.  People don't need 
Linux.  They need Windows for the exact reasons you stated (one or two 
thing without ... fuss).  If you provide them with a nice, minimal Linux 
install that is very tailored to running X right off the bat (maybe gdm or 
something), and the proper GNOME config, you could provide them with an 
'appliance' as you call it.  It would certainly be just as capable as any 
Linux box, you'd just have to install the other things you needed (which 
could be provided, read as 'developer install')

>If the end user likes to tinker, then the last thing you want to do is give
>them a crippled system. Give them all the parts and let them use what they
>like and ignore the rest. Sooner or later they will grow into the system,
>but not if it's missing so much that there is no room to grow.

But why give the user a bag of tools when they only need a 
screwdriver?  Sure, some of them will happily make use of the extra things 
provided, but for others they will only collect dust, or even worse, cause 
a problem.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not fussing about this, I love my Linux box the way 
it is.  But I know that we won't take over the world (we don't have to I 
guess, but then theres no motivation) unless we start getting people who 
don't give a rats ass about gtk+ or GNOME, they just want a nice 
desktop.  I'd simply love for people to have a _choice_ without having to 
have this big linux distro... why install redhat just for a desktop, why 
not just install the desktop?

You don't like it?  That's fine, I don't mind;)  I think it's a good idea, 
to each his own;)