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Comment Some good points -- what to do about it (Score 1) 998

Although the author may not have made a completely fair evaluation, he or she did make some really valid suggestions.


I've been using linux for years, and it is my primary desktop, I have also installed several linux servers... but I still have not found a linux distribution that I'm comfortable installing one some of my Windows client's computers desktops... the people I do work for need a better experience before I can convert their desktops to linux.


Although, the situation is improving, and Knoppix and Knoppix based distributions appear to have the most promise (and is what I distribute to my friends)


Linux itself as an operating system is ready (imho) but the installation and configuration issues need to be addressed. Some of the points are things I have had complaints with, it is not a problem with linux itself, but with the applications. For example, Adobe Acrobat Reader for linux displays a license screen when you first load it that runs off of the screen even at 1024x768 and is not resizable... so that you can't click on the ok button. Granted, this is Adobe's problem... but this needs to be addressed.


What I think we as a linux community need is a usability task force... i.e. a group of people who look for thinks like this (bad dialog boxes, inconsitant help files, non-existant help, visual inconsitancy, etc. and either fix the problems or apply enough pressure so that the problem is fixed (for example, put enough heat on adobe so that fixing their license dialog in Acrobat Reader becomes a priority (something that should only take them an hour or two)) and create a usability and testing check list for software authors to use in their testing. Perhaps even have a usability certification process...


I for one would be willing to participate in usability testing... I would also like to be able to hand all of my friends a linux cd and say, here install this, and now have to worry about getting endless phone calls for support.

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