Geek's Girlfriend Finds Linux Harder to Use Than Windows
Linux, the free, open-source UNIX-based operating system used in trendy affordable computers such as the eeePC and the Zonbu, has been gaining huge ground over the past decade in terms of general usability, especially when compared to the competing (and decidedly not-free) products from Windows or Apple. Despite that, Linux is still lambasted as being unintuitive, overly complicated, and simply not ready for prime time. To test this point, a Linux fan took a machine with a fresh install of Ubuntu, a popular type of Linux, and decided to challenge his girlfriend, a Windows user with no Linux experience, to see whether she could find her way around and do some generally simple tasks. Unfortunately for those hoping for Linux desktop adoption, she didn't fare too well.
The tasks ranged from simple ones, like looking up the capital of Bosnia online (she passed this one) and watching a YouTube video (failed this one), to more complex challenges, such as burning a CD (failed) and modifying an image using PhotoShop (passed). By our count she succeeded in only half of the challenges, meaning Ubuntu isn't quite ready for completely pain-free use by Windows users. So, if you were wondering why cheap, Linux-based computers, like the eeePC, are starting to offer Windows versions as well, now you know. [Source: Content Consumer]
Filed under: Computers
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MJZimmer88 @ Apr 30th 2008 12:18PM
How, exactly, did she fail to watch a youtube video?
Can she atleast play Crisis?
Chris @ Apr 30th 2008 3:52PM
If you bothered to spend 10 seconds looking at the article you would see it was because Flash is not installed by default and she couldn't figure out how to install it easily.
retro77 @ Apr 30th 2008 1:38PM
Looks like the geek BF needs to educate his geek GF a little more. When I bought my Eee PC I researched on how to do things and did them. Now I have Ubuntu loaded up and Backtrack [for work stuff] on an SD card.
Ralph Schott @ Apr 30th 2008 3:11PM
LINUX is only the Operating System. What application programs are
available for a reasonable price?
Illus @ May 5th 2008 2:42AM
watching a YouTube video (failed this one)
modifying an image using PhotoShop (passed)
Huh, impressive.