From: talley@ashleigh.Kodak.COM (Brian K. Talley) Subject: Re: BYTE asks, is UNIX dead? Date: 30 Sep 1992 13:02:40 GMT
In article <1992Sep29.202120.8229@microsoft.com> satishc@microsoft.com (Satish Chittamuru) writes:
[text deleted]
>On a related note, how many of you think that Linux would advance more
>easily into the realm of the average Joe or Janet User if we have more
>applications that Joe can use on a day to day basis.
If there was a comprehensive manual and easy-to-learn-and-use UI to some
existing freely available packages (Ingres, TeX, sc) then we'd be able to sell
the idea of using Linux much easier. What other applications are available that
can be ported to Linux and given a front end? NetFax? GUIbuilders (eg: ATK)?
Communications packages? Is sc in any way compatible with Lotus? Is it possible
to write a function to load Wordperfect documents into TeX? If this is the sort
of thing Joe and Janet are looking for, and this will help Unix/Linux survive,
then let's work on it!
> It's not that I don't like TeX/LaTeX mind you. I used Latex a lot
>when at school. And I would use it again for writing documents, manuals
>etc. But for writing a simple 1 page letter, Works for Windows is a lot
>easier to use that LaTeX, IMHO.
Right. And if TeX has a front end that allowed you to easily compose and format
a letter would you use it, or would you still exit Linux and boot DOS?
>The point of all this is that while it is good that Linux is progressing
>rapidly into an very stable, usable and advanced Unix, shouldn't we also
>make an effort at increasing the available applications.
Yes! From what you mentioned of the Byte article, I'm inclined to agree with
them - if Unix can't be sold, it won't survive.
> Yes, I am
>willing to help do this.
As am I!
>Satish K. Chittamuru satishc@microsoft.com
--Brian
__________
Brian Talley, Systems Consultant, Eastman Kodak Research Labs, Rochester, NY
talley@acadia.kodak.com