[CLUE-Tech] Re:why on earth should linux attempt to become user friendly?

[Cyberclops]

It's interesting that CLI Geeks often seem to equate user friendliness
with a lack of power or missing features.  User friendliness does not
mean less features or or less power.  In fact one of my gripes with
Linux is that it is hard to use in GUI mode because the GUIs (as far as
I know) don't take into consideration that I would like to have the
power to configure my own desktop without having to log into root.  In
SuSE 7.1 as a user, I tried to open up the "user manager" which is in
fact placed on my user menu by SuSE, and I go a message that only root
can use it.  If that's the case, why is it even cluttering and already
confusing menu?  How can I temporarily  switch my user log in to a root
mode with out having to stop my work, log out, log in to root, log out
as root, log back in as user, and recommence me work.  That's not a user
friendly sequence.  What should happen is that when I try to launch the
program as a user, it should ask for the root password, and if I know
it, I should be able to use the program.  Any ideas other than using the
CLI?  While I agree that the CLI is versatile, and powerful, I would
rather relate to my computer with a smooth operating GUI.  Linux comes
up short in this area.  It's my belief that most users would prefer an
easy to use computer that doesn't require the memorization of long
cryptic command sequences.

Kevin Cullis wrote:
> 
> Cyberclops wrote:
> >
> > You don't have to look far to find versions of Linux which aren't user
> > friendly.  I would like it user friendly because I don't want to have
> > anything to do with M$ or Apple.
> >
> > Open source shouldn't be synonymous with difficult to use.
> >
> > Nicholas Perez wrote:
> > >
> > > RANT_MODE=1;
> > > Maybe it is just me, but why on earth should linux attempt to become user
> > > friendly? Why should Linux become a Redmond-esque clone, trying to immitate
> > > the ui? Personally, I like Linux at the level it is at.
> 
> Being user friendly has a number of connotations.  Personally, I'd like
> to see an Apple GUI on top of Linux because of the consistency and
> simplicity of the UI, but I'm liking the power of the CLI.  Think of it
> this way: having a Apple-like GUI gives someone a change to start using
> a computer who may be just starting out (and with all of the
> reliability, etc.). But if you had the power of Linux underneath, that
> person would be able to grow with the system and not be hampered by the
> old Mac OS (8 or 9).  Also, a system administrator would love to be able
> to administer a Linux OS with a simple GUI for average users, wouldn't
> they?
> 
> Within two years I would predict that the GUI's for Linux will be at the
> level of better ease of use and will be ready for the average user.
> 
> The key issue is the potential of migration of users to Linux.  80% of
> the computer users DON'T care to know more about the power of Linux
> because it does what they need. However, don't limit their potential
> experience by NOT making that power available.
> 
> Kevin
> 
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