[TriLUG] Re: Linux for the desktop

[Maria Winslow]

On Thursday 06 November 2003 12:00 pm, trilug-request at trilug.org wrote:
> I have switched to Linux in my home PC about one year ago (RH 8, right
> now)- Even during the first days of using it, my only issues have been
> installing new hardware - I have always find the software I needed.
>
> I had several people using my computer at different times to do things
> like browse the web, write letters, or play, without giving them more
> instruction than "the web browser is called mozilla in this machine, in
> the menu on the left" - In my experience, none of them had more issues
> using it than they would have had using a WinXP pc. Some of them cannot
> even tell the difference between Word and Open Office! (yes..I've asked
> them out of curiosity).
>
> I guess what I am trying to say is that there is nothing wrong or
> not-usable on Linux for the desktop right now - once it is properly
> running and configured. The complaints I always hear are always related
> to installation or configuration of hardware/software. Those are two
> very different issues.
>
> Just my $0.02
>
> Carlos- 

If you haven't seen it yet (in English), then some of you may want to check 
out the Relevantive Linux usability study. Relevantive, the Berlin-based user 
interface specialists, released a study this year that compared the 
productivity of average computer users on the SuSE Linux desktop versus 
Windows XP. Neither group received any training, nor did they have previous 
experience with their assigned desktop environment. The Linux users were 
nearly as productive as the Windows XP users in a series of typical office 
tasks. In fact, most of the Linux group felt that they would reach their 
usual level of proficiency within one week. An English translation of the 
report is now available at http://relevantive.de/Linux.html (click on 
"English Translation").

Maria