Understanding Unix, was Re: [plug] Cron scheduling

[Christian]

John Summerfield wrote:

> > I think i see the problem here. You are making one huge assumption
> > that unix is intended for a "Complete Idiot" who sits down to use it.
> 
> However, i have used an assortment of computers over three decades. Most
> modern sstems are designed to be easy to use. There's a good reason for
> that; time learned using a computer is unproductive; unproductivity wastes
> employers' money.

I agree completely with Mike.  As for your comments...

Systems that continually crash or require massive reprogramming to do
things that aren't built into the system are also unproductive in many
situations and thus a waste of employers' money.  Unix solves both of
these problems.  Just like any powerful and/or specialised machine it
requires an investment of time and effort to learn.  You may see this as
a disadvantage, and in some ways it is, but I believe it's mostly a
reflection of the power of the system - the more powerful, flexible and
sophisticated a machine is the more time it takes to learn.  Employers
are usually willing to devote time/effort/money to training people to
use such machinery (or they hire people with the appropriate skills)
since the short-term investment is outweighed by the long-term gain.  In
situations where employers aren't willing to make this investment, maybe
Unix is not the correct "machine" for the job.

> I want to USE my computer. I don't want to spend half my time figuring HOW
> to use it, or why something didn't work, or to think it did when it
> didn't, and I don't want to be interrupted by other family members to help
> them use the computer.

Most properly set up Linux systems don't require very much time
investment to keep running well.  I virtually never have problems with
mine while I often have people coming to me about problems with their
Windows machines.

Regards,

Christian.

-- 
Sharing of software was not limited to our particular community; it is
as old as computers, just as sharing of recipes is as old as cooking.
                                                    - Richard Stallman