[LUGSB] Linux for squares? Question from a lurker

[Matthew Lawn]

I would be interested in any thoughts re: the value of Linux for the
non-technical user.

For instance: 1) does one need to have a certain level of competence
at the command line to get enough from Linux to justify switching from
Windows?; or, 2) can one use Linux to self-teach to a decent level of
CompuSavvy? (For instance; would it be a worthwhile exercise to learn
to use Linux in a bare-bones installation prior to installing a GUI?)

I have been on the LUGSB enewsletter list for about a year but have
never been able to attend a meeting due to transportation issues.
Reading the traffic, I have gotten the impression that the group is
comprised of, and geared to, CS and IT geeks (and I use the word with
due reverence) of a rather high level of expertise. I would not
consider myself to be in that catagory. I'm just someone who sees that
Microsoft is the devil's agent on earth, who  likes the ethos of open
source, and is interested in Linux as a better way to realize the
power of the computer. BUT . . . am I smart enough to make it work?

I should mention that, while I may be non-technical, I am by no means
anti-technical. Nor am I a complete neophyte. I've been using PC's
since DOS 5.x on a 386 machine was pretty hot shit. I played around
with RedHat years ago and thought it was pretty cool but found
fighting with windows ubiquity too much of a pain in the ass. Maybe
things are different now.

Thanks for listening

Matt


On 12/9/09, lugsb <lugsb at ic.sunysb.edu> wrote:
> This is it for the semester.  We'll be hanging out, sharing tips, enjoying
> traditional pizza and soda.
>
> Got a favorite piece of software? Have coding tips?  Come share your
> knowledge and learn from others.
>
> Topic: Lightning talk
> Date: Thursday (12/10)
> Time: 6:00pm
> Location: CS 2129
>
> Take care,
> Michael Florea
> LUGSB President
>


-- 
Matthew Lawn

(631)831-6603
matthew.lawn at gmail.com
---------------

We are stardust, we are golden, we are caught in the devil's bargain,
and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.
     -  Joni Mitchell, from "Woodstock"