Comments on: Linux is ready for the desktop or ZaReason is mother-in-law approved.

By: Kirrus

Kirrus — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:01:08 +0000

I tend to had problems with boxes that had run the beta versions of Ubuntu, but I’ve had it with a box which didn’t have any of the nasty stuff added… I’ve also seen (and worked on) a bug report on launchpad, in which the reported had his packaging system lock up because there is a bug in the Feisty > Gutsy firehol upgrade process somewhere.

(Still not managed to track it down - it seems people prefer to just remove firehol than help me pin down the problem :()

Still, its not going to be too long before Ubuntu is ready - its certainly ready for the desktop if you bought a PC with Ubuntu pre-loaded from “PC World” where you have support people to help you out.

By: james

james — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:26:51 +0000

Hmm… The only time I run into that issue is if I am using non-canonical repos like the ones for AWN and Compiz (both of which didn’t like the upgrade to Hardy). With regards to my mother and wife’s laptops they all use the stock repos and upgrades are smooth like butter, and beyond my aforementioned problem my laptop has gone from 7.04 to 7.10 to 8.04 without a hitch.

That said, I still need to do my server which is on the previous LTS…That will likely be a hairy experience and I am NOT looking forward to it.

By: Kirrus

Kirrus — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:07:58 +0000

Personally, I think its “ready” only if you have someone who knows Ubuntu well enough to be able to deal high-level linux problems.
One issue I keep coming up against, time and time again, is dependency resolution failure when you’re dist-upgrading.

Apart from that, yes, definitely ready!

By: james

james — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:42:26 +0000

Thanks for sharing!

One of the things that I thing critics of Linux generally miss is that not all window managers are the same and these experiments like getting one’s girlfriend to use it are similar to the comments of someone driving an unfamiliar car: “Um, how do I turn on the lights? Where’s the knob for the windshield wipers? How to I open the gas cap my car has a lever and yours doesn’t…” Give that person an afternoon and the car’s layout will make more sense just like if you let that girlfriend spend a weekend tinkering she will likely find it is just as easy as her usual OS.

By: Links for April 29th, 2008 at wolfgang.lonien.de

Links for April 29th, 2008 at wolfgang.lonien.de — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:33:43 +0000

[...] “Linux is ready for the desktop or ZaReason is mother-in-law approved.” - thanks again, [...]

By: wjl (Wolfgang Lonien)

wjl (Wolfgang Lonien) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:21:22 +0000

Hi James,

hehe thanks for the wonderful “review” of Linux in general, and also for the recommendations.

I’m in quite a similar situation: we use Linux since some 8 years or so in our household. That’s Linux *only* if you don’t count a once-a-year tax declaration made with proprietary tools - but that also changed by now. About Linux being compatible for the masses, well after seeing how much better it was, I first tried with my brother (he’s using Ubuntu now). My son (Kubuntu) tried himself, and very successfully. An aunt, 68 years old by now, got a box set up with Debian - no complaints at all. Just like your mother-in-law, she started working and playing. Our small one loves childsplay and gcompris.

Even a good and long time friend, who was “defending” (his use of) proprietary a lot, tried it, liked it - and now he has all his personal machines on free software and OSs (Ubuntu), bought an Asus Eee (and loves it), and an UltraLapSR from us (loves that one, too).

Yes, I would say we’re there. Finally.

best,
wjl aka Wolfgang (from ZaReason EU)