[nzlug] favourite distro

[Dirk Pilat]

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:32:15 +1300, Simon Bridge <simonbridge at ihug.co.nz>  
wrote:


> A pragmatic user still needs to understand the costs being payed as a
> result of their choice. If the user is non or ill informed about those
> choices they cannot make an intelligent decision - even if I happen to
> agree with it.


While prudent, this argumentation keeps Linux on the Desktop from  
spreading. Like it or not, we are in a consumer driven society. What does  
a non-geek that might be even interested in a non MS option want from its  
computer:

It should play movies out of the box, preferably his DVD collection.
It should play mp3s and AAC, synch with his ipod and digitalise his CD  
collection in a format understood by his ipod.
It should read pdfs and play him youtube vdeos (and if it's the average  
male consumer, play all porn formats out there).

So he takes the Ubuntu CD from his mate home, but none of the above work.  
So he looks in google, finds automatix and 'hey presto', everything works.


If we want Linux on the Desktop to become the popular option, there is no  
way other than supplying the end user with the codecs that his environment  
demands.

Educating him about free and open options should be the next step.

Dirk