Re: [orca-list] Is Linux suitable for non-programmer/computer scientists?

[Thomas Ward <thomasward1978 gmail com>]

Hi James,

If you want a graphical environment such as Gnome or Unity, which is
similar to the Microsoft Windows  user interface, Ubuntu 12.04 is one
place to start, but is by no means the only option. There are some
customized distributions such as Sonar Linux that has updated versions
of Orca etc all ready to go. Just install Sonar and you have a fully
accessible fully up to date graphical user environment.

As far as the command line environment itself goes it all depends on
who you ask and what their own personal opinion on the subject is. I
think that a blind user can easily use Linux using a graphical
environment such as Gnome with little to no knowledge of the command
line. However, as with all things the more you know about using the
command line it will give you some more advanced skills to reconfigure
your system, some advanced skills for trouble shooting problems if and
when they arise, and of course some command line apps are just flat
out more accessible in some cases than their graphical counterparts.
So while knowledge of the command line isn't strictly necessary it
would still be a big help to know in case you need it.

As to your question about programming etc you don't have to be a
programmer or computer scientist to run and use Linux. While
programmers such as myself are drawn to Linux because of the
availability of the source code, free programming tools, whatever that
doesn't exclude the average Joe and Jane using it as well. Ubuntu
12.04, which I happen to be running, is very easy to install and most
of the common applications like Firefox, LibreOffice, Totem Movie
Player, etc are accessible and work out of the box. It doesn't matter
one way or another if I know how to program or not because using
Firefox for browsing the web or writing a report in LibreOffice Writer
would be the same for me as you.

Cheers!


On 3/17/13, James AUSTIN <james londonsw15 gmail com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I don't post too often but read this list with great interest.
>
> I'm not going to go into my reasons here, but I am beginning to think that
> my current  access solution could be in the process of stagnating.
>
> I would be very sad to say goodbye to it, but the time might come when such
> a course is necessary.
>
> Reading the list suggests that a great deal of command line knowledge and
> complicated bits and piece are involved in Linux, even after all of this
> time.  I'm not exactly a command line newbie, but many of you are far more
> conversant than I am.
>
> Do any of you have  any suggestions where I might start if I did decide to
> jump on the Linux band wagon please? I have been reading a lot about Ubuntu
> and it seems to be the favourite among many.
>
> Thank you and please feel free to write to me off-list if you prefer.
>
> Take care
> James
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