Introduction to Linux A Hands on Guide Mattel, Garrels & Kernelthread.com
Although I have been using computers for many years I am beginning to realize that I have only been using it for word processing, checking e-mail, class projects and searching for information on different kinds of software. Being introduced to the Linux A hands on Guide has made me aware of the fact that many different kinds of software are available in many different forms. The statement in section 1.4.2 that at first glance, the amount of Linux distributions can be frightening... is very true to me. I have the same apprehensions about using the software on Mac OS X. Although it mentions there is plenty of advice on the subject, from my point of view it is confusing and presents a fearful situation. How can I feel comfortable to trust using and testing different software after just learning about debugging, viruses, and cleaning up my computer. Since at the end of the Linus article it states that it is strongly advised that beginners stick to a mainstream distribution, supporting all common hardware and applications by default I am looking for various points of views about the list of distributions at the end of the article as well as software for the Mac OS X. After receiving comments about the software I will become adventurous and begin to sample different software.
An Update on the Windows Roadmap
I received a lot of information from this reading. The conversations between Cybrett, Snakedoctor and Waethorn are conversations I have heard about on my job who in the past year has install Windows Vista at various pilot sites. Most employees have encountered many problems with the Vista. After reading the article I see many of the problems could be a lack of knowledge in Information Technology and Information Technology Literacy. Class are now being offered in Windows Vista for the staff. At home, I use Windows XP that had been updated but I requested the Vista software from Pitt. I had used this software at LaSalle University but never on my own computer. I never installed the Windows Vista software after hearing about the many problems experienced by my fellow co-workers and the students at Pitt. Windows roadmap gave me sufficient information on the past, present, and future directions of Windows XP and Vista. I am wonder if it will be feasible for me to install the Vista and continue to use the Windows XP until I feel more comfortable with the WindowsVista which should last me until 2011. Once I gain more knowledge and information on Linux and Mac OS X software, who knows, maybe I will be able to download all my software that I need without ever having to buy software again.
Although I have been using computers for many years I am beginning to realize that I have only been using it for word processing, checking e-mail, class projects and searching for information on different kinds of software. Being introduced to the Linux A hands on Guide has made me aware of the fact that many different kinds of software are available in many different forms. The statement in section 1.4.2 that at first glance, the amount of Linux distributions can be frightening... is very true to me. I have the same apprehensions about using the software on Mac OS X. Although it mentions there is plenty of advice on the subject, from my point of view it is confusing and presents a fearful situation. How can I feel comfortable to trust using and testing different software after just learning about debugging, viruses, and cleaning up my computer. Since at the end of the Linus article it states that it is strongly advised that beginners stick to a mainstream distribution, supporting all common hardware and applications by default I am looking for various points of views about the list of distributions at the end of the article as well as software for the Mac OS X. After receiving comments about the software I will become adventurous and begin to sample different software.
An Update on the Windows Roadmap
I received a lot of information from this reading. The conversations between Cybrett, Snakedoctor and Waethorn are conversations I have heard about on my job who in the past year has install Windows Vista at various pilot sites. Most employees have encountered many problems with the Vista. After reading the article I see many of the problems could be a lack of knowledge in Information Technology and Information Technology Literacy. Class are now being offered in Windows Vista for the staff. At home, I use Windows XP that had been updated but I requested the Vista software from Pitt. I had used this software at LaSalle University but never on my own computer. I never installed the Windows Vista software after hearing about the many problems experienced by my fellow co-workers and the students at Pitt. Windows roadmap gave me sufficient information on the past, present, and future directions of Windows XP and Vista. I am wonder if it will be feasible for me to install the Vista and continue to use the Windows XP until I feel more comfortable with the WindowsVista which should last me until 2011. Once I gain more knowledge and information on Linux and Mac OS X software, who knows, maybe I will be able to download all my software that I need without ever having to buy software again.
4 comments:
We use Windows XP at home and have also heard all the horror stories of using Vista. As a result, we are hesitant to change. Until I read about Vista for this week's reading it was my understanding that Vista was not a good decision and to avoid it at all costs. What I learned in reading about it is that I always need to check both sides of the issue(a good life lesson I try to remember but sometimes forget). Like you, I am still interested in using XP for a time (and was delighted to hear about the downgrade option) and probably/maybe switch to Vista when I feel comfrtable doing so.
Software decisions are never easy because they profoundly effect us. I would love to see the day when I don't have to buy software again but the way technology is advancing it isn't very likely
In Thomas Kuhn's "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions on page 6 in regards to scientific revolutions that "Each of them necessitated the community's rejection of one time-honored scientific theory in favor of another incompatible with it. Each produced a consequent shift in the problem available for scientific scrutiny and in the standards by which the profession determined what should count as an admissible problem or as a legitimate problem-solution. And each transformed the scientific imagination in ways that we shall ultimately need to describe as a transformation of the world within which scientific work was done." Even though we are not on the level of the many great scientist I think the above statement in a scientific way is expressing the way we are reacting to changing from XP to Vista. We are going through a revolution within ourselves.
Here's an amusing story about Microsoft itself trying to get XP users to switch to Vista. They have to trick their own customers into switching.
I also have avoided using Vista at home because I thought it was rushed out to the public.
I am ashamed to say that when it comes to computers, I usually go with the old adage, “if it’s not broke…..” This weeks reading also has helped me to consider that because something is considered to be the newest technology, doesn’t always mean that I should run the other way.
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