Re: [TCLUG:8945] Installfest was great

[Amy Tebbe <atebbe@real-time.com>]

On Tue, Oct 05, 1999 at 11:33:28AM -0400, Joel A. Koepp (jkoepp@atlas.socsci.umn.edu) wrote:


<snip>
> This is going to be a tricky subject to deal with for the community. Do
> we:
> 
> A) Encourage anyone and everyone to install Linux, but not warn them of
> the time and effort required to become truly competent with it? 
> 
> B) Warn people of these things and only suggest Linux to those that would
> demonstrably benefit from running it?  (perhaps at the risk of seeming
> haughty and elitist?)
> 
> C) Some other option I haven't thought of but which no doubt exists.

Joel -

I think you bring up some very important points.  Encouraging people
to install/run linux without the prequisite computer knowledge
and understanding could hurt the Linux movement.  It's likely that
such users could become so frustrated that they may blame Linux
and label it as difficult to learn and use.  The press gets their
hands on that, puts their spin on it, and pretty soon everyone
is bowing to Microsoft again.

Personally, I do not recommend Linux for everyone or in every situation.
I think it's better for Linux in the long run to recommend it
for problems it solves best.  If someone is looking for just another
operating system or GUI to try, Linux is not the best choice.

Check out the Linux Advocacy-HOWTO:

http://heaven.hamline.edu/LDP/HOWTO/mini/Advocacy.html

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