[aklug] Re: Install Fest - last minute info

For the last couple of months I've been studying for the LPI certification (lpi.org). There's a lot about the CLI on the exam. I managed to pass exam 101. I'm studying for exam 102.

My head is spinning...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Arthur Corliss" <acorliss@nevaeh-linux.org>
To: "Lee Ross" <leeross@gci.net>
Cc: aklug@aklug.org
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 10:04:47 AM GMT -09:00 Alaska
Subject: [aklug] Re: Install Fest - last minute info

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008, Lee Ross wrote:

> Thanks for the compliment Damien. I can remember how difficult it was to
> do the simple task of installing my first distribution of Linux. However,
> I did manage to become proficient at installs after a period of time. I
> get the feeling you're not interested in recruiting new people into the
> Linux world or did I miss something and this Install Fest is, in your
> eyes, for the CLI type?

I think that Damien feels a monkey can install it because Ubuntu has
apparrently proven the point -- and Damien is not a CLI type. I suspect his
head would spin and he'd start chucking wiimotes at innocent bystanders if
you took away his GUI. ;-)

That said, your point is still valid. As good as Linux has become,
particularly with hardware support, it's still not as well supported as
Windows, and doesn't "just work" in all instances. Note the Russian
Roulette-style support of hibernation on laptops. Getting everything to
work reliably (or just figuring out what will work reliably) can take quite
a bit of effort.

> I've mentioned in the past, some ideas about what I'm seeing that keeps
> people from getting involved in Linux, all to no avail. I've never seen
> anyone comment on my remarks about addressing the issues confronting
> Newbies making the transition from Windows to Linux and how some people
> are not interested in CLI but would be happy to remain in the GUI world
> without all the pain and expense incurred by using Windows.
>
> I personally thought this Install Fest was a great idea to get some of
> that 90% market being held by Microsoft.

I agree that work needs to be done to ease the transition of newbs to the
platform. I think, however, that some of us differ in how that is
accomplished. We shouldn't try to emulate Window's model or we'll end up
being what they are: a semi-easy to admin platform that's only semi-secure
and semi-reliable. We need to find ways to educate and improve our newbs'
technical skills.

The unspoken truth in security circles is that our greatest problem isn't
technological, it's social. Until we get people to make intelligent
technical decisions the best security systems in the world will be undone by
a post-it. Linux is no different. For newbs to really get the benefit of
the platform they need to be willing to learn to compute a bit differently.

Of course, Lee, I have to think that way more people agree with you than
they do with me. :-) And that might be for the best...

         --Arthur Corliss
           Live Free or Die
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-- 
Damien Hull
Linux Ninja
Open Source Assassin
http://linuxninjas.tv
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http://www.digital-overload.net
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