Re: New possible user

From: jpd (read_the_sig_at_do.not.spam.it)
Date: 05/03/04 

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 10:01:00 +0000 (UTC)

On 2004-05-03, me <gregatwork@nospamhotmail.com> wrote:
> I build older PC's for community groups and charities but obviously they do
> not have software with them, in particular windows.

I don't see why this should be obvious. Many of those machines came with
licences pre-slapped-on and the replacements usually have a different
version with a different licence. As to the transferrability of same,
I don't know. If you really want that software, it may be worth
investigating what licences they come with.

> They woudl be used by every day people that are not computer savvy that
> woudl be more comfortable with a windows flavour,

On what is this assumption based? People that are not computer savvy, that
is, do not normaly use _any_ computer, usually have no prejudice for or
against any given system[2]. If they have to use a windows machine at work,
ok, but those usually have enough of a job to buy their own machine, and
pay for the licence.

Anything that is easily clickable and looks colourful should do. Add a
short introductory course (an evening or two, coffee and cake and make
it sociable) and you're all set.

Honestly, people could learn to use CP/M and WORDSTAR way back when in
that time, and that was without mouse or graphics or whatnot. I don't
see how people cannot now learn the simple magic of using any desktop
environment that is supposedly so much more user friendly. Just make
the event to learn interesting enough for people to attend. It is a
community, right? Start it up right and word of mouth can do the rest.

[snip]
> As said they would need to work well enough for the general user and have a
> general windows feel to them so I am open to suggestions please.

Kick out your assumptions and build something that has enough buttons so
people don't have to TYPE ON THAT SCARY KEYBOARD to get stuff done.
Any current free berkeley descendant or other unix-like system can do
that with the aid of X and a desktop environment like KDE or GNOME.
It doesn't look _exactly_ like redmondware, but if you lose that
restriction, you might get back something at least as good.

Hell, there's even a completely unrelated OS[1] that'll do exactly that
on 286 hardware, and run fast. There's just not that much 3rd party
software for it, and outside of patience (killer app) not much other
games. But then, what are those machines intended for, anyway?

[1] Unfortunately, can't remember the name. Great for low-end kiosks tho.
[2] Cue slashdot story about linux-savvy 6 year olds. 

-- 
  j p d (at) d s b (dot) t u d e l f t (dot) n l .