One of the complaints you often hear about linux is it's too hard or just for geeks.
Yet when you actually use linux you find that after the initial learning curve of adapting to a different system, it's not hards, just different.
In fact, using the recent and more popular distributions of linux is often easier than windows, as I discovered last night.
I recently got a 3G USB modem which lets you use the 3G mobile phone network to access the internet. On our holiday in Port Macquarie we used the resort's internet connection which was not only expensive, it was very slow. I figured that buying the modem would pay for itself in one holiday, but also be useful when I travel away.
So when I got the device and activated the SIM card I plugged it into the Eee which is running Ubuntu 9.10. A few seconds later up popped a network connection wizard. I entered a few details "Which provider or network?", "Name of access point" and it was running in a minute or so. Dead easy.
Josh is going to Canberra tomorrow so I gave him the modem to make sure it would work. He fiddled for a while but couldn't get it going. Tim fiddled and down loaded a driver (what the?), installed it and finally got it going.
On the usability front on this occasion it's Linux 1 Windows 0.
I know that in other cases the shoe might be on the other foot, but the fact is that the argument against linux that it's too hard just doesn't hold water any more.
I'm up to my ears in computer woes at the moment. I think I'll just buy a little chalkboard and be done with it. My Mac is in Mac hospital, my printer prints nothings and I'm trying to use a small computer with a wonderful monitor that the cat keeps unplugging. Oh well, maybe tomorrow will be better!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. I have days like that also.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting the message over and over again lately that I have what it takes to please God, so I've been praying that He will show me, or better yet, just take charge and shout loudly to me what He wants me to do. I think maybe the computer problems are part of that. I've been given a good rest, learned some patience and actually started working on tax forms.So here we go with a new day.... I am supposed to pick up the Mac at noon today, emailed the printer man and put the monitor with the wiggly cord away for the time being. Maybe today will be good.
ReplyDeleteLois, we all have what it takes to please God. You were created in his image and he loves you as any proud parent would. It's not about performance. It's always about loving Him with all your heart, and letting Him love you.
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