From: jimbo@crseo.ucsb.edu (Jim Davidson) Subject: Re: WHAT'S THE POINT? Date: 1 Apr 1993 23:55:04 GMT
In article <733561611.F00007@remote.halcyon.com>, Ray.Messier@f52.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Ray Messier) writes:
|> Recently I found Linux on a local BBS. Being anxious to run a Un*x box
|>
|> for some time I quickly dl it. After reading all the FAQ's and the Docs
|>
|> that came with it; and finally finding this net mail conference on Linux
|> I
|> am no closer to running it than I was a month ago. What's the point of
|> an
|> operating system that is so complex to learn unless you are in 'the
|> club'
|> so to speak? Call this asking for it, but I am no simpleton when it
|> comes
|> to computers, in fact I am quite competent. But I think Linux will not
|>
|> reach it's full potential until it's as easy to install as DOS (dare I
|> say
|> that?). I can only boot Linux from floppy, when I try to run *any*
|> utilities I get bizzare undocumented or poorly documented error
|> messages.
|> I have been running DOS for years, and feel that one month is too long
|> to
|> take installing an OS! Any suggetions? How about some quality
|> documentation that non-engineers can understand? The public needs a
|> powerful operating system like Linux, lets try to make it that way.
|>
|>
|> * Origin: 24th Street Exchange - A BBS Since 1983 * (916) 451-7179
|> (1:203/52)
|>
--Hello,
You shouldn't give up on Linux. I have several years experience with many flavors of Unix and Linux is a *very* impressive system.
Your problem is not with Linux but that you lack a certain core, or perhaps critical mass, of knowledge. It's much like the "new driver" syndrome: new drivers (say kids 16 years old) always think they're *good* drivers. It's not until they actually become reasonably competent drivers that they find they were in fact awful drivers. Likewise, it won't be until you know a bit more about Unix that you'll understand how much better it is than DOS (really, DOS is not an operating system but rather the lack of an operating system - you'll soon know what I mean).
For now, charge ahead, install Linux, and get a good intro book on Unix and X windows. It will definitely not be time wasted.
Cheers, -Jim
__________________________________________________________ Jim Davidson | jimbo@crseo.ucsb.edu CSL / Center for Remote Sensing | jimbo@sbitp.bitnet University of California | Phone (805)893-8475 Santa Barbara, CA 93106 | Fax -2578