> GUIs aren't a silver bullet, and you _can_ make CLIs discoverable....
But the average user, and certainly my dad, doesn't want to have to
discover anything. They want the thing to work by pushing a button. They
want something at least as easy to use as the VCR, and the "buttons"
paradigm of Windows is a far simpler jump for them. Typing text commands
means learning and they don't want to learn, they just want to use the
thing. I personally don't feel the same way (which is why I prefer Unix)
but for the average Joe Shmo this makes a lot of sense. They have other
priorities.
> For example, to get pcmcia network cards working on some Windows
> boxes, I've had to boot to safe mode and remove device entries that
> didn't show up with a normal boot...
This is true for the worst case, however if you're using one usual
Microsoft certified pieces of hardware then 95% of the time you have to
do nothing at all, GUI or no GUI. That's what Linux should aim for (and
does seem to be) the same sort of plug it in and it works setup.
> having a GUI doesn't help when the GUI hides vital information in
> certain modes.
On the other hand (the other 5%), you're right here. When Windows does
break it's nearly impossible to fix, especially for the average user. In
order to get some of the hardware working and get around OS bugs I've
had to do things that there is no way in a million years someone like my
dad could solve. These bugs happen way too often considering how "idiot
proof" Windows is supposed to be.
However, I don't think this is an argument against the GUI paradigm, but
rather an argument against Microsoft's crappy implimentation. This is
why I prefer Linux. I think Microsoft has a much more user friendly
front end, but the core code is so bad that I avoid it where possible.
I really think Linux, to have the same viability as Windows, will have
to get an implimentation that is as easy or easier to set up than
Windows or a Mac. You put in your CD and turn it on. When it's done
installing all by itself you're modem's set up, your desktop is
configured (for reasonable defaults), your system is secure (one up on
Miscrosoft here), your browser works, you can send mail, and you have
office apps available and ready. No pain, no brain, all GUI.
- Matt
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