On my other machine, a Linux Ubuntu, I’ve learned to dread even an update, much less an entire “fresh” install of Firefox. Over the preceding year I have altered many of the about:config settings and am quite happy with the results. Until, that is, I get another of the Fox’s famous “security” updates. Invariably, the “quick-crash” process begins all over again and I have to take the time to sort the problems the new update has created. Finally, things get settled down and reliably working at about the time I receive another new and improved version of, or update to Firefox.
If you decide to dink with this fresh install idea, do yourself a few favors: back your extensions up with FEBE, sync your bookmarks to Foxmarks and set a restore point. Take every step you can to protect yourself before the fact and don’t be terribly surprised,after the fact, when you find yourself wishing you had left well-enough alone.

That’s quite amazing, but of course with computers anything is possible. I’ve been playing with Firefox since I became a beta tester on v. 0.2, and never had a problem like that. The worst I’ve ever had came with one of the last releases of v. 2.x, when all of a sudden Gmail started using 50% of the CPU and locking up Fx. That was corrected a couple of x’s later, just before v. 3 was released, and I was never able to duplicate it on another machine…just my AMD dual-core at work.

As far as Ubuntu is concerned, I have a double-booted copy, but haven’t opened it in months because when it updates it changes the boot order and I get tired of messing around in root correcting it. Not ready for prime time — at least my time. But that’s a story for another day….

Neptune was discovered on the 9/23/1846.

IM AM LEARNING ABOUT OUTER SPACE

BY Sharnee Brandley thank-you

1. Members of the Linux community often exhibit an elitist attitude which tends to put off new users.

2. Almost all the distributions of Linux out there still need to make a significant amount of progress in user-friendliness, if Linux is to enter into mainstream usage.

That being said, the current situation is definitely a lot better than the old days.

With the increasing popularity of netbooks, it would be interesting to research the customer experiences of those who have bought the models which come preloaded with Ubuntu.

Re. #1, I think there are many Linux distributions out there whose goal is not to enter into the mainstream. Therefore, I think it would be unwise to expect their developers or communities to pay much attention to user-friendliness.

I personally dual-boot Ubuntu and Windows XP. I’m biased towards Ubuntu because it works well with (admittedly) some tweaking.

I’m also satisfied in using Windows XP when I have to. In my case, Windows XP has been much better than Vista.

I think a lot of us in the open-source community get really worked up sometimes and miss the point entirely.

As technical users, we sometimes forget how difficult it is for someone new to computers to get to grips with Linux.

Perhaps this is why some of the comments above immediately jump to making comparisons?

No doubt you are correct. Many people seem unable to understand that criticism, whether or not couched in terms that they consider respectful, may yet have some basis. I was a bit snarky on purpose: I wanted to stir up a reaction. Worked, too. But it kept some folks from seeing the point.

Thanks for “getting it,” and saying so.

All of the comments seem to miss what I said in the original post. I did not say Ubuntu was harder to use than Vista. I didn’t even mention Vista. Ubuntu kicks its butt — except for all those Windows applications that don’t run well or at all in WINE. Nor did I say I had trouble using Ubuntu (or any other form of Linux, including the command line versions). I said it was annoying. I happen to prefer my streamlined version of XP, but that has nothing to do with what I wrote either, it has to do with some of the work I need to accomplish.

In my opinion, not even Ubuntu is ready for prime time. It’s still too geeky. That’s all I said. That’s all I meant. End of story. Last comment from me, unless someone comes up with something really interesting.

My parents and coworkers use EEE-Ubuntu daily and not a single one has any trouble with them. I suspect some of them don’t know it’s linux.

I said it was annoying; I didn’t say it was “too much.” (And Vista was off my new machine within two hours of opening the box. I have two more licensed copies of XP Pro on the shelf, too. We’ll see about W7.)

If there’s a Unix-based OS of the future, it will come from someone who’s more interested in usability than freedom. Oh, wait. There’s the Mac….

So, how?

Edited the original, like this.

Linux may take a while longer, because the developers are fewer, their hours are fewer, and their standards are higher.

I also think that they expect the users to meet them half way, because they aren’t kowtowing to the LCD.

When it comes to improving on Microsoft’s mistakes, they’re slipping on the one thing that they could use as a selling point. Make it easier. And I’m talking about writing cogent, useful help files and some simple GUIs, not inventing cold fusion.

If the Linux developers expect the users to meet them halfway, they don’t REALLY want to be top dogs in the fight. You either build a product that sells, or you just talk about selling. I’m not saying Linux isn’t better than Windows; I’m saying it’s no easier to use at present, so why should people bother to switch? The vast majority of people don’t CARE what’s under the hood, and they hate change. The elitist attitude is precisely what needs to go.

Advanced Compliance Tool Keeps President Connected while satisfying Secret Service request to limit and control the recipients list and Keeps Him Covered on Presidential Records Act

http://www.onsettechnology.com/highlights

I seem to remember reading another excerpt from the letter quoted above that said the adult industry’s actually not suffering very much. Maybe the pornographers should be in charge of the national purse strings since they seem to know how to manage money and thrive better than the so-called “experts” we’re bailing out!

Personally, I think we all need to cure are depression with a healthy does of work ethic and long term thinking.

It’s funny how the media presents everything about the McCain campaign as “negative”. Yet, when I saw the Spanish-language video where McCain was presented as calling Latinos “el stupido”, none of that stuck to Obama supporters nor him. “Oh, he’s not responsible for everything”. Yet, McCain is somehow responsible for what is yelled out at rallies! (and the Secret Service doubts these remarks were actually made)

I never supported McCain, but I doubt very much that he’s the self-serving clown the RS article proclaims. Obama seems to have done pretty well for himself, too, and his kids go to some nice private schools too. Why live in a million dollar house, when you can “share the wealth” and give some of that money back to the boyz in the hood, who got you elected?

I expect you to take from it whatever you take from it, and clearly something about it gave you an urge to spout buzzwords and talking points, just like McCain.

The libel laws in this country are quite specific, and publication of attributed remarks in a national magazine is quite different, legally, from the veiled innuendo and unspecific commentary of a swift boat or other campaign tactic. Yes, I believe them, and you should too.