Examination of a Linux Gui, w/color commentary

[Dana S. Tellier]

From: "Derek Martin" <invalid at pizzashack.org>

>Besides which, ESR's point was (if I may be allowed to interpret)
>that if you design the interface properly, techies and non-techies
>alike are a lot less likely to a) get it wrong and b) have to spend 18
>hours sifting through documentation to figure it out.

>And he's right.

    Amen to that!  I have to say, as someone who's done tech support for the
past 5 years, the idea of "RTFM" just does NOT apply to non-technical users.
On this list, and other forums for technical computer discussion, it's
perfectly acceptable to point someone in the direction of clear, useful
documentation.
    But as for general users, I completely disagree that computer folk
should have a sort of high-minded "well, I took the time to learn, so should
you" attitude.  For one thing, that's just plain arrogant.  Secondly, these
people already have skills in other areas, as Derek so concisely pointed
out, and they shouldn't have to learn another skill set just to use a tool
for their job.
    Also, I wanted to second Derek's point that the demand for Linux and
software WILL improve the more users are introduced to Linux, and the easier
they find the experience.  I think ESR hits the nail on the head in this
idea of the "luxury of ignorance".  I find it wonderful that I don't need to
know a damned thing about the inner workings of my car in order to drive it.
And when something goes wrong, I take it to a mechanic who will fix it, and
then promptly put it back in my hands, without my having any real clue about
the problem or its solution.
    Maybe that makes me a "stupid user", or maybe that just means I can
actually understand all the "clueless lusers" that are the focus of
mean-spirited jokes (one reason why I don't find tech support jokes funny).

 - Dana Tellier