[Grrltalk] Re: [Techtalk] What do you all think?

[Emma Fox]

pmurphre at indiana.edu wrote:
>> Any suggestions on how to convert supposedly 
>>intelligent academics from the dark side of the force are welcome.
>>
> 
> HI, well all I do is simply state, whenever anyone complains about
> some horrible fault w/ windows about how much better linux is--don't
> know how much this helps on a grand scale, btu at least it is positive
> word-of-mouth.

:) things like "linux never does that" can be a bit tiresome on the ears 
of the helpless.  I'm afraid the administration are suffering from the 
"compatibility" complex (they have enough trouble switching from Mac to 
Windoze most of the time) and the "we've already invested so much money 
in Windoze" complex, also the "no-one knows how to run that sort of 
network at LaTrobe" complex.

My aim is to get Lunix running on an old box of theirs so that people 
can at least successfully use the internet and check their mail, and see 
where it goes from there.  At the very least, I can be confident that 
Linux will run a tad faster than windoze if it's set up right.  I have a 
_great_deal_to_learn_ before then though!

>  my best
> suggestion would be to make linux as simple and non-scary as possible.

Fingers crossed.  I think to be successful in my environment it would 
have to work right first time... you know, that, "have to be three times 
better to be considered at least as good..".

>  Now this may be a gross generalization, but I imagine that most
> academics would be impatient with having to learn a lot before being
> able to use their machine

Yep :)

> they should be able to pick up something like KDE or GNOME
> without much trouble--don't you think?

:) I definately think they could.  I think everyone's right, it's just a 
matter of removing the fear of something new.  And combatting the idea 
that if it's not paid for it must be no good. :(

> anyways, jsut some musings

Thanks

Emma