Got a new computer with Windows 8 - it's like landing on a different planet

[PetBazaar]

Settling on one or two versions would indeed be nice for the new users you're talking about. If you know a helpful person who's already running one of those variants (users call them 'distros') then you have a nice simple 'choice'... use the same one. Fundamentally the differences aren't huge and using the same version as your friend will keep them motivated to help.

But no, the community as a whole won't settle on just a few versions. Even restricting our discussion to desktop versions, there are many different ways of doing things (simple example: perhaps you prefer pointing at things with a mouse, perhaps I prefer keyboard shortcuts) and so you surely have to agree that people differ in their tastes. Look at how many different breakfast cereals sell successfully! With a proprietary operating system the supplier decides what versions to sell. With Linux, ANYONE can decide what they think is a good version and spread it around. Many many people do. Most fail, some become popular. I used to use Ubuntu, but I've switched to Crunchbang Linux. (And on a server I use Debian.) For my needs and prefs I prefer Crunchbang over Ubuntu, but Crunchbang is not a good starting place for most new users.

You'd like to cut down the choices. I understand. But would that actually make Linux more popular? Apple Macs offer just ONE version of operating system. Apple Macs sell in good numbers, but nowhere near Microsoft. So reducing choices doesn't necessarily win you friends, I don't accept your logic.

But I do agree that the way forward for someone thinking about Linux is to narrow their own options down and ignore the many distracting versions.

I accept that you don't accept my logic... but...

I'm not convinced.

Picture the scene. They've been using Windows all their life. Their PC has just blown up. But with Windows they knew pretty much what they were going to get, although no-one had told them about the surprise they were going to get when using Windows 8 for the first time.

They go to the shop and the salesman says... "Have you considered Linux? " And they reply, "No. Tell me more."

And he says. "Well, you could have Ubuntu, or Mint or Zorin. Mint & Zorin both use Ubuntu anyway. Or you could use Debian, it's also in use in Ubuntu, except that there it's called Kubuntu. Redhat is good too. And they all pretty much do the same thing except for the ones that are a bit different." Looking on you see their eyes starting to glaze over. "Just give me a Windows PC" they mumble. "Are you sure? Wouldn't you like to try Crunchbang Linux?" says the salesman.

No don't get me wrong, I don't actually have anything against Linux. I even use it myself, although admittedly, it's only when I have to.

I see where you're going with the cereal analogy, but with cereals the customer can see the boxes of 100 varieties and see what attracts them. Quick glance, decision made. But when choosing an OS that option is gone. You have to trawl through the internet or take the opinion of someone else, who may have different needs in an OS from you. Given that the IT knowledge of a large proportion doesn't go much beyond Office and Solitaire offering 285 products that are all more or less the same is just offputting. Keep all 285 for the techy types by all means, but focus on a core few for general widespread release because the problem is, that for someone who knows nothing about Linux, how do they know which ones are the core versions and which ones are the distractions?

Oh, and for software... The only people who think that calling it mint is signifying a new fresh approach is the marketing department.

[cambrensis]

I accept that you don't accept my logic... but...

I'm not convinced.

Or you could use Debian, it's also in use in Ubuntu, except that there it's called Kubuntu. .......
......

Oh, and for software... The only people who think that calling it mint is signifying a new fresh approach is the marketing department.

Your salesman knows little about Linux or he would not get quite so confused about Kubuntu. However, should you opt for one of the versions of Windows he would also offer you various packages with it. That, basically, is what the naming philosophy of the Linux variants is about.

What he will not do is allow you to take away as many packages as you wish and experiment to see if you get along with any of them. It is possible to load a "live" version of Windows from a flash drive, but quite complex, and beyond most salesmen.

As for marketing...that was the whole point of the remark I made. Breakfast cereal marketing is a brilliant way to get people to pay through the nose for what used to be bread (cereal) and milk.

[johnwash1]

Too many choices. Right.

Well, I was thinking I should do more exercise and it would also be good to have a dog to discourage burglars. I went along to my local pet shop, who were very helpful, and told me there are Labradors and Poodles (and even Labradoodles) and a Sheepdog would round up anything I wish. There are Pugs and an Irish Setter, though a Water Spaniel would be wetter, but hold on, an Alaskan Malamute is rather cute.

[snip 30 more pages of this]

It was all far too confusing, much like when I'm boozing, I really couldn't cope with all these dog breeds in my head, so instead...

I got a cat.

[Anniemcc2]

LOL ! which is why I'm still with Windows

[cambrensis]

It was all far too confusing, much like when I'm boozing, I really couldn't cope with all these dog breeds in my head, so instead...

I got a cat.

It really is confusing,
All these new names that they're using,
When one word would suffice when all is said.
You have a labradoodle?
Half a lab and half a poodle?
It's a mongrel! And you're off your bloomin' head!


And remember - if the cat is born in a fish shop, do not put it in an aquarium!

[JanetB]

too many choices. Right.

Well, i was thinking i should do more exercise and it would also be good to have a dog to discourage burglars. I went along to my local pet shop, who were very helpful, and told me there are labradors and poodles (and even labradoodles) and a sheepdog would round up anything i wish. There are pugs and an irish setter, though a water spaniel would be wetter, but hold on, an alaskan malamute is rather cute.

[snip 30 more pages of this]

it was all far too confusing, much like when i'm boozing, i really couldn't cope with all these dog breeds in my head, so instead...

I got a cat.

lol

[johnwash1]

I think Cambrensis and I are very much on the same page. Yes, at first sight Linux is a confusing minefield of choices. For the few people with lots of time and motivation to experiment, that array of choices can be a wonderful playing field. Most people just want something straightforward though.

In which case it boils down (IMHO) to just two ways forward, either:

a) Choose Ubuntu (http://ubuntu.com). 50 million desktop users (or however many it is these days) can't be wrong. Companies are doing massive rollouts. One example: the French police will soon have 72,000 users converted.

b) Find someone nearby, get them to help you use whatever they're using. Most people only stick with Windows because they have friends or family who will support them. If you're that type of user, you need the same comfort with Linux.

However, you don't need to jump ship. One of the things that stands out when you read about the big corporate migrations is that they took their time and did it in baby steps. Stick with Windows, but ditch Internet Explorer, there are better browsers out there (free) such as Firefox and Chrome. Same with your office suite: ditch MS Office and try the free Libre Office.

After a long period of gradual change you'll wake up one day and suddenly realise that ALL the programs you've switched to are actually available outside the MS ring fence. You can switch to an Apple Mac. Or to Linux. And in both cases you'll see little difference.

Or you can wait for Windows 9, which wll solve all your problems. Bwahahahahah! Yeah, right!

[JanetB]

What is this Libre Office?

[cheaver]

What is this Libre Office?

It's a free Office Suite:


http://www.libreoffice.org/

[cambrensis]

It's a free Office Suite:


http://www.libreoffice.org/

Versions are available for most platforms, including Windows. It will load Windows Office files; you may save back in native format or Windows formats. All I ever use in Windows or Linux nowadays.