more Linux on the Desktop

OT: Linux on the Desktop
Authored by: ujay on Monday, May 17 2004 @ 01:39 PM EDT
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20040517002423242#comments

   [ QUOTED BY PERMISSION OF AUTHOR ]
For the last 3 years I have been using Linux and installing Linux
servers at small business sites. I have been asked on many occasions
about Linux on the desktop, and my usual response was that I did not
think Linux was easy enough for the average user to use on a desktop.

Just a few days ago I was presented with an opportunity. A gentleman
asked me to assist him in getting a computer. This person has no prior
computer experience whatsover. I knew this man would get a broadband
internet connection, and if I installed a Windows based OS, there were
just too many avenues for disaster, so I gave the idea of supplying him
with a Linux desktop serious consideration.

As the man in question had no prior computer experience, whatever system
was supplied to him would be a learning curve, so any consideration of a
prior Windows user being too Pavlovized to adjust to a Linux environment
was a dog that would not bite.

Of course, before actually doing this, I had to evaluate if the Linux
distribution I was going to give him would actually be easy enough for
him to use.

On my home workstation, I use Mandrake with the Blackbox window manager.
I like Blackbox due to it's minimalist approach, and I tend to work in
terminal (rxvt) quite a lot. It helps maintain the illusion of myself as
a master adept of the black arts, and people tend to exhibit the correct
deference when entering my inner sanctorum.

To create a proof of concept test (Is Linux easy enough for a user) I
switched the Desktop to KDE. I have not used KDE in years, and the KDE 3
Desktop really surprised me.

Creating Icons on the Desktop was a snap, I could even drag and drop
from the Application List ( ie system menu). Manipulating the task and
lower application 'quick launch' bar was also quite simple. The included
Control Center allowed for complete individualization of the desktop
with an ease that was really surprising.

Installation of software is also a snap. Supplied software can be
installed from the Mandrake Control Center quite easily, and third party
RPM's are also automatically linked to the RPM manager for instant
install. It even asks for root password. Compressed files ( .gz etc...)
can be viewed and extracted from within the directory viewer.

Audio/video files launch properly, and a selection of viewers/players
are available on the alternate menu. Setting a particlar viewer/player
as the primary application on double click is a snap, simply reorder the
list, or add the freshly installed application.

Creating an association to a file type (in the test case, bittorent
files) was even easier and faster than any similar activity I've had to
do in a Windows environment. On the actual test, I had no graphical
bittorent application to use for the test, as I use the terminal based
ctorrent application. By creating a couple of simple scripts, I could
right click on a .torrent file, and either view it, or download the file
listed.

I am quite impressed with the current state of KDE and have now changed
my mind. Linux is ready for the home user desktop, and that is what I
will be supplying this individual.

PJ, I will keep a log of his experience for the GrokDoc project.

--
Programmer: A biological system designed to convert coffee and cheesies
into code
=======================================================================
see also: http://www.linwareconsulting.com/
This is why I specialize in Linux solutions. They simply work, ...
It's not plug and play, it's plug and don't worry about it.
It will be there, doing it's job, and letting you actually do yours.
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