🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <40tepi$kpf@columbia.acc.brad.ac.uk>, D.A.Reader@bradford.ac.uk
(aP) wrote:

> These words of wisdom came from Robert Cassidy (rmcassid@uci.edu):

Wise? Wise at 26 - p'shaw, it simply can't be so... :-)

> <snip>
> 
> : Remember, most computer users are in no way capable of supporting a UNIX
> : box and would probably as a result find that the UNIX box produces far
> : more problems than the unstable Mac or PC (that's why you see so many of
> : 'em)
> 
> If you took 2 people who had both never been anywhere near a computer in
> their lives, and had no prior knowledge, you could teach one to use
> Micro$loth and the other to use UNIX. Assuming you start with 2 reasonably
> interested and intelligent people they will both be capable of running
> their system.
> 
> UNIX is only more difficult than Micro$loth if you know loads about M$ and
> nothing about UNIX.
> 
> think about this.. which is easiest to explain to someone..?
> 
> 1. DOS - at the prompt type 'dir'
> 2. UNIX - at thew prompt, type 'ls'
> 3. MSWin - find a window with 'Program Manager' on your screen - it may in
> fact be just a little picture.. if it is then click on it to make it a
> full size window, then, find a window which has something called 'File
> Manager' in it - again, this may already be there as a window or may be a
> little picture again. What it is called will depend on how your system
> was set up - in fact, it may not even be there... anyway, you need to
> click on that twice... then, move to the top left hand corner and find a
> picture of a disc drive... then click on that.. then you should have a
> window which shows you what is on your disc...

It's not a matter of learning - it's a matter of maintaining and using.

You're example above is a little narrow in focus.

The biggest problem with UNIX from the standpoint of a typical user is the
routine lack of feedback. The very feature that draws many people to UNIX
(Of course I want to delete/replace/remove/move/whatever that thing. I
told you, why are you asking me if it's OK?!) is the very feature that
makes UNIX a bad choice for most. Since UNIX doesn't give a damn if you
delete half of your hard drive without warning you, or care if anybody on
the planet can get root access to your system - that makes it dangerous
for novices. UNIX assumes you know what you are doing, the Mac and Win
assume that you do not - which sounds safer to you? Do you prefer exposed
wires in your home (you should know not to touch them) or do you keep them
under layers of protection (just in case you accidentally touch them)? 

Anybody can learn UNIX, but not everybody should be expected to have the
diligence and attentiveness that UNIX requires. Go turn root access over
to everyone in your office for an example - or are you suggesting that
with every system purchased a network administrator should be hired?

-- 
Bob Cassidy
UC Irvine