A Mac User's Guide to Linux

[Mark Pubols]

I guess that I could qualify as a Mac user since I have been using one for
the past decade or so. I'm not really a geek, I'm more of a what you could
call a "Cultural Broker" between geeks and "regular" people, although some
people see me as a geek because I actually fix problems that they are having
with their computers (Loose video cards, messed up modems etc etc.) I am
pretty good at troubleshooting.
    I have found the YDL to be pretty nice to use and one of the shortfalls
of Apple computers is the scarcity of software. What you do find is usually
very well done but there are times when you simply can't find things that
you might want and consequently will have to use a PC to get a job done
sometimes. Macs IMO are very good at some things and the hardware fits
nicely together with generally high quality components. What some Mac users
may find daunting is the use of the venerable command lines that is part of
the whole Linux experience and this is one reason people went to the GUI in
the first place. What needs to be stressed is that the Linux GUIs are very
easy to use and definately on a par with the MS and Apple GUIs that people
are familiar with. The actual bonus with YDL IS the command line which can
give an average user a fair amount of control. What there is a need for is a
simple to use list of commands that can easily sit next to a monitor with
exact commands to be used for each purpose. A nice tutorial with screen
shots of the commands would also be helpful as language is ambiguous quite
often. (If you don't believe me, try explaining to someone how to tie their
shoelaces without showing them how to and only following your instructions
exactly. The results should be fun...) The point being that what may be told
is not always what is meant to be told.     I have a fair amount of
tolerance for trial and error but a lot of people make one mistake and give
up immediately assuming that they will never get something right if they
can't understand something the first time around. What people often need is
simply some encouragement, this list has filled that role nicely for me and
I'm sure that it can do the same for others as well.
    Overall, I have been very pleased with the YDL I have. The Kmail I use
has become my favorite email program. The Mozilla browser is everything I
would want from a browser. There are a few wrinkles to work out still and
some things about Linux take some getting used to, but people do this all
the time with the computers they now use without thinking about them
anymore. The same will apply to YDL if anyone gives it a week or so to try
out.

-Mark

P.S. One thing that would be cool is if a Knoppix-like CD could be produced
that would work on a Mac so people could get a feel for the way things work
on a Linux OS.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Clinton MacDonald" <clint.macdonald@sbcglobal.net>
To: <yellowdog-general@lists.terrasoftsolutions.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 4:47 PM
Subject: Re: A Mac User's Guide to Linux


> Richard:
>
> Richard.Gill@math.uu.nl wrote:
> > Here's my little story. The bottom line, is that I would
> > suggest to warn the potential migrator that they may be
> > in for "an interesting and time-consuming, but possibly
> > ultimately very rewarding time".
> >
> > [...]
>
> A great story! I will include it on the Mac-to-Linux page.
>
> Any more "switcher" stories, folks?
>
> Best wishes,
> Clint
>
> -- 
> Dr. Clinton C. MacDonald | <mailto:clint DOT macdonald AT sbcglobal DOT
net>
>
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