[plug] LINUX IS ONLY FOR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS

[s.humble]

Rick wrote:

> LINUX IS ONLY FOR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS, AND PEOPLE OF THAT ILK.
>
> You have been warned. Please read on.
>
> Hi, this is not a gripe about Linux, I'm sure it's a very fine operating
> system. This is just my opinions, and experiences with the system.
>
> I'd installed the Linux system from the APC magazine's 'Linux pocket book'
> and the CD that came with it.
>

I thought the standard red hat book was far superior to the APC pocket guide
and a friends book
called linux for dummies was also better - they cost more though you get more.



>
> Having first read the RedHat documentation, as found on the CD and a manual
> on the S.u.S.E. system as found on the web.
>
> http://basiclinux.hypermart.net/suse/index.html
>
> I didn't have any real problems with partitioning the hard drive and
> getting the basic system up and running.
>
> One unusual problem is worth noting. On my computer, an Intel Pentium
> 75mhz, the bios settings were a little aggressive. That caused my system to
> lock up, while trying to install the Linux system. Thankfully, someone
> replied to a post and advised me where to look.
>
> Anyway, as noted, once I had the hardware problem solved, everything
> installed just fine.
>
> After a little fussing about, I managed to get things configured for the
> internet and got nescape up and running. I managed to send and receive
> mail, read the news groups and browse the web.
>
> Unfortunately, I never did work out how to get connected when not logged in
> as root. In fact, I never got the CD to play music in X, unless I was
> logged in as root.
>
> Then, I tried to install some of the software that comes with the APC's CD.
> Following the instructions in the manual, which were very sketchy, I tried
> to set up a thing called X-ISP. This, the book said, was an easier
> alternative for getting connected to the web.
>
> Well, it's not the truth. Getting X-ISP installed, is a major feat on it's
> own. First, they imagine that you have read all of the book, and can recall
> every detail. Or, they assume that you can find the finer details, without
> an index?
>
> Well, it was ok getting Xforms of the CD, decompressing it and getting it
> installed. Then it was time for X-ISP. That was a whole new story. I now
> had to use some antiquated programmers editor called VI. (not for 'very
> intelligent', I can assure you) This may well be the best programmers
> editor ever to grace the planet, but, it's not an easy thing to master, for
> someone who is used to more simple text editors. My favourite is a thing
> called 'SuperNote Tab Lite'
>

Yes i hate VI as well but i know how to use it if necessary ( i even got paid
to learn it once )
ide suggest using either joe or mcedit i think you should allready have them
on your system
another great program is mc ( midnight commander) it's instantly ussable and
you probaly
can save learning most of the bash commands if you use it is's like XTREE or
Norton commander
for unix systems.

>
> It was at this stage that I decided that I must be crazy. Why was I putting
> myself through all of this pain? What was I going to achieve with it? Was I
> going to be any better of? I mean, really better of? Do I really want to
> master VI?
>
> Perhaps there are a number of better editors available? I don't know. That
> was the one that APC chose to put with their distribution, so, I would
> assume it might be the easiest to use?
>

APC probably dont know as much about LINUX as they should but it's a start.

>
> Anyway, at this stage I decided that Linux was not for me. Not at this
> stage anyway. Who knows, perhaps it will be a little easier later?
>
>

Linux is very difficult to use if you dont have someoe to help you out if your
as beginner.
If i wast to learn it again or teach someone else i could have them up to my
level of
capability in a third of the time it took me to learn it.
Ide suggest buying the book "Linux unleashing the power of your PC" by stefan
strobel and volker elling
it was this book that impressed me the most out of the 4 linux general info
books i have had a chance to
read or examine.


> So, what is the moral of the story, according to Heinrich?
>
> If you understand networking, and/or Unix, then go for it, install Linux
> and enjoy. (??). If you can get really good support, then still think about
> it carefully. Otherwise, until life is made a little easier, stick with DOS
> or Windoze. Much more support, and far fewer headaches. After all, Windoze
> is made for the untrained.
>

Actually ive found that is simpley because you have used dos - windows for the
past 5 years
and actually read and learnt alot from other people as well.
I think for a beginner who as never
used a computer the investment in time probably is not significantly different
between
the various systems. The amout of time ive spent showing people how to use
windows
or dos (and applications programs ) over the years is in the hundreds -and
thousands
of hours, i have been providing  free support to my friends , colleagues and
others for microsoft
products without even being paid for my efforts except for thanks from these
people - well
microsoft should start to pay me for supporting their supposedy user friendly
products.
Cause over the last few years ive started to push linux instead.
Microsofts products (like most software in fact) are only easy to use after
people have been shown
how to use them. I can just as easily show people how to use linux and
GNU software when they ask me and suddenly it becomes user friendly as well.

>
> If you know someone who is unfamiliar with a Linux type system and is going
> to install Linux, try and talk them out of it. That way, they will still be
> interested enough to give it a try, when it's available for the masses. If
> ever that happens.

>
> LINUX IS ONLY FOR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS, AND PEOPLE OF THAT ILK.
>
> (Please read my post on how to purge Linux from your system.)
>
> Cheers
> Rick
>
> E=Mail    - rick at vianet.net.au
> Home Page - http://www.vianet.net.au/~rick/index.htm
> Packet    - VK6EP at VK6ANC.#PER.#WA.AUS.OC

I think if more people around you used linux you would have a pool of
support around you that would make it as easy to use as MS windows presently
is for you- hopefully as linux software continues to improve and more people
start to use it
that will happen i know when i joined the UCC and was able to bring in my
problems
with linux  they were usually solved as easily as knowing about some setup
file
or a command or program feature i was unaware of.
I hate to count the amount of time i have spent learnig about Windows 3.1 and
95, Linux and Dos
when if i had had someone to show me how to do what i wanted it would have
saved me so
much time and wasted effort.