I refuse to title this

[xanis]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

Originally posted by: Xanis
I'm convinced that the original story, plus the second followup link posted by finalnight, have made my IQ drop several points. I wish I could point out all of the idiocy, but it would take me too long. So, I'll point out a few things that irk me:

1) Verizon High-Speed Internet Disk - Why the hell do you need a disk to get on the internet? Last time I checked, you just plug in to the router and go. Also, Ubuntu has EXCELLENT driver and networking support. Hell, setting up a wireless connection under Ubuntu was just as easy if not easier than under Windows.

2) Microsoft Word required for online classes - It's called KOffice, and 30 seconds of Googling the phrase "ubuntu office" and clicking on the first result would have told you everything you needed to know.

3) Pissed that Ubuntu "assumes everyone is tech-savvy" - Are you kidding? Ubuntu is the idiot's linux distribution. It's simple and completes quite a few basic tasks automatically. If you can't figure out Ubuntu, you're an idiot.

I can't really fault the lady. Many people aren't interested in learning new software or tinkering, they want their computer to "just work." And yes, Ubuntu is very easy to use, but that doesn't change the fact that it's not Windows. There's still a bit of a learning curve just because it's a different OS, and that's something many people would rather not deal with.

I understand what you're saying. I was trying to get at how easy Ubuntu is to use... and that some common sense might have served the lady well.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Man, she dropped out because she couldn't get her Pc to work?!? Holy crap, is it normal for people to give up that easily? I understand not everyone is strong in the use of computers, and she may struggle with Ubuntu if she's a novice. But worst case scenario is to take it to any local pc repair store and ask for Windows to be installed.

For fucks sake, I wouldn't just quit my job because my car fails to start one morning.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: clamum
What a fucking idiot. Next time actually pay attention when you're ordering. The Dell guy was also a moron... "The person I was talking to said Ubuntu was great, college students loved it, it was compatible with everything I needed." Yeah, real compatible you tard.

Uh, it WAS compatible. The idiot user didn't even try, she just gave up once she didn't see "MICROSOFT WORD" amongst the dozens of shortcuts she indubitably created on the desktop.

You actually don't need the CD at all for those broadband services, but you practically have to torture the tech to have him tell you the way to activate your modem easily, via any web browser, without installing their software.

Originally posted by: Finalnight
FOLLOWUP STORY 2

That guy is as petty as a middle schooler. It was a mistake for WKOW to give him a blog. I call people names all the time here on ATOT and don't make a penny doing it...maybe WKOW should hire me at half his salary. I'd do a better job, too; his insults are all standard fare; indeed, they may as well have been lifted from this very forum. "Learn to spell?" I've seen that one thrown around a billion times by now. Far better to write something about "Clearly the Nobel committee made a grave error awarding Le Clézio the prize; if I were you, I would immediately make some calls and make them aware of your immaculate wordcrafting and gripping style." And while it is certainly quality trolling to say that someone's post "made you laugh harder than anything else I've ever seen", without actually addressing any of its points, this too is becoming passé. It's like reading troll posts from the 90's.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky
Man, she dropped out because she couldn't get her Pc to work?!? Holy crap, is it normal for people to give up that easily? I understand not everyone is strong in the use of computers, and she may struggle with Ubuntu if she's a novice. But worst case scenario is to take it to any local pc repair store and ask for Windows to be installed.

For fucks sake, I wouldn't just quit my job because my car fails to start one morning.

Lol, that's the part that I didn't get. You're example of car problems is perfect and really exemplifies how ridiculous her reaction was. If she had any motivation at all to do online courses, she would have found a way (be it selling the laptop and then buying one with Windows on it, taking it to a computer shop and having them install Windows, buying and installing Windows herself, working on a public library computer, etc.). I'm not knocking her for her lack of technical knowledge, just what seems like a lack of pretty basic life skills.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'd have to disagree that Ubuntu is the idiot's Linux distro though. While it's probably one of the easiest, Windows is still way easier. To do some simple tasks that are a few clicks in Windows, you often need to edit configuration files. Not something a regular user really is ready to do. Most of these would probably not apply on a OEM laptop though as Dell most likely sets everything up. But for example on a PC, dual screen monitors requires to install a bunch of 3rd party tools then edit the /etc/xorg.conf file as opposed to right click enable in windows. A typical user will have trouble with this. In fact I consider myself tech savvy and it took me a few hours to get dual monitors to work.

 

[manlymatt83]

Really?