> -----Original Message----- > From: tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org > [mailto:tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org]On Behalf Of Max Shinn > Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 6:48 AM > > I think it is important to look at this as a part of a bigger picture. The > reason Windows is seen as "easy to use" in comparison to GNU/Linux is because > people in general don't recognize the difference between "unfamiliar" and > "distaste". Has anyone read the Gladwell book "Blink"? He has a chapter > devoted to this concept, but instead of discussing software, he discusses > office chairs. If GNU/Linux was the most popular desktop operating system, > it would no doubt be considered the easiest to use. So, one can conclude that > Windows is not more popular because it is easier to use, but rather, the other > way around: Windows is easier to use because it is more popular. > > -Max I wouldn't claim that the analogy is "exact", but this reminds me of the push to use Esperanto instead of English because Eaperanto was easier, better, etc, as a world-wide common language. A few "intellectuals" learned and spoke Esparanto whenever they could. However, there never was a city where a common tourist could ask directions to restrooms or restaurants in Esperanto, so folks continued using what they knew. On the other hand, there was a day when IBM and its proprietary hardware and software was dominant. Because of its attempt at rigid (and expensive) proprietary control, IBM is no longer such a big deal. Microspft is headed that same way at an increasing pace as they attempt to make IE6 and XP Pro obsolete and require much more powerful hardware to run the same old stuff. Microsoft has not added any actual functionality to Office Pro since 1997, but has made minor format changes that make it hard for an average user to use rhe old stuff. Many corporations (Honeywell was/is one, Wells Fargo is another) maintain legacy compatibility because huge numbers of their customers have no need or budget for $1,000/year "upgrades". Keep your IBM punched card reader and remember the day when IBM and those were boss :-) I used to do math by rubbing two sticks together... Chuck