[SATLUG] Video Drivers

[Daniel J. Givens]

Alan L. Lesmerises wrote:
> As for being ready for the desktop, I just keep thinking of people like
> my mother-in-law and my wife who are both very technologically
> challenged.  The idea that someone would have to recompile the kernel
> and/or manually edit some configuration file to install a driver or
> something is a little challenging for me -- with over 20 years of
> computer experience -- I can't envision my wife or mother-in-law being
> capable of handling anything close to that.

My wife used Linux on my system before she got her own. She uses Windows
on her new system at this moment for school. She is constantly
complaining about it and how much easier things were under Linux. When
things go wrong (error message of any sort) under Windows or Linux, she
calls me to help and/or explain. Windows is not some great, easy thing
without usability problems. More people are accustom to it and know how
to work around things when they break.

And since when do you have to recompile your kernel for a video driver?
You guys are using the wrong distros if you're having these kinds of
issues with sound and video.

> IMO, if it isn't push-button easy and idiot-proof, it surely won't be
> ready for widespread desktop use.

And Windows is? This is why I think general purpose computers in the
home are mostly impractical for most people. Most people need an
internet and email box. They don't need the power and flexibility that
the computers we have today provide us.