The FOSS world must understand “just install Linux” won’t cut it. We must make “the whole widget” as Jobs would say.
But don’t listen to me, let Stallman make the case:
Richard: I’ve never installed the GNU plus Linux system on a computer myself.
Me: Really?
Richard: I always found someone who knew how to do that. Got someone to do it for me.
Me: So it was so difficult that you have not installed…
Richard: No, it's just that I was so busy, I didn’t wanna learn how.
@aral
I agree that more can be done in making these things accessible, but most Linux distributions aimed at average users has no learning curve for installing it.
Especially not for someone like RMS. Insert USB drive, boot, follow the prompts. I don't care how busy you are, that's only 2 short steps more than a new windows or mac PC.
@jeffalyanak @aral There is always a laptop-specific (I think) key you need to press in order to run the installer. And most don't want to go through it anyways. It's always best to have it preinstalled.
That said System76 and elementary have been working on some interesting improvements to these installers.
@jeffalyanak @alcinnz People don’t want iOS, macOS, or Windows. People want to share their photos with their friends, chat to their loved ones, maybe write up a paper or play a game. No one ever wakes up saying “I want that operating system.”
@aral
@alcinnz
I 100% agree. That's the whole problem, though. How can you convince them to move away from their familiar platform when they can already do all of the things they want to do?
There's a really strong inertia for most people, changing their OS means finding new software, adapting to a new UI and new terminology and a whole slew of other things.
How would you #PitchTheSwitch to Linux to an average person?
@jeffalyanak
What works in my experience is they asking me how to speed up their very slow laptop, me trying a live debian that goes so fast they don't believe it, they beg me to install that damn thing because they usually have to wait 3 minutes for the browser to open and 1 hour for the updates when they shut down.
@Shamar
Oh, it was really meant to be a personal experience more than an approach advise.
I have the feeling that FOSS software, linux included, is getting more and more mature by the day actually... to the point that when I install it on people's machines they barely notice anything, beside the increased performance (and occasionally some game not working).
Just my perception though
@arteteco @jeffalyanak @aral @alcinnz
This is not necessarily a stable approach (geeky pun intended).
Linux is growing slower and slower...