6 ms·

> Getting your Linux computer to work right takes time but It doesn't just take more time; once something is sufficiently difficult, it goes from incrementally

> Getting your Linux computer to work right takes time but It doesn't just take more time; once something is sufficiently difficult, it goes from incrementally time-consuming to insurmountable (for most people) -- it might as well not exist.

erikb 11y ago
Did we just move from "What is control? How do I get control?" to "Linux is probably insurmountable so we don't even have to try"?
- corysama 11y ago
  If my parents ask "How do I get control?" And someone answers "Getting Linux to work takes some time, but..." Their response should be that they won't even try. My parents have a hard time with the concept that there are things called "files". Directories are completely beyond them.
  - erikb 11y ago
    I never intended to convince you or your parents to use Linux. It's just, that you said that they are able to do more, therefore they have more control. If you understand that the opposite might be the case then my job is done. In some scenarios it's okay to have less control in exchange to do more. I do such exchanges on a regular basis myself. But one must be aware that one gives away control, not gains control.
  - super_mario 11y ago
    Really? You could not use actual paper file and filing cabinet as physical world analogues of computer files and directories? Pretty much everyone understands those metaphors, so why don't your parents?
  - mindslight 11y ago
    Why not simply set up and maintain Linux for them? Especially because if the only thing amateurs need is a browser, then Ubuntu is exactly the same as everything else. They still won't have ultimate control, but you will. This is certainly a tradeoff (a personal relationship has more motives for violating trust), but depending on your relationship it can be a great way to distribute control away from ApplNSAoogle.
  - 0xdeadbeefbabe 11y ago
    Directories and files have a real world analog that your parents are likely to understand, but I think the doofy interface obscures this to the point of confusion.

erikb 11y ago

Did we just move from "What is control? How do I get control?" to "Linux is probably insurmountable so we don't even have to try"?

corysama 11y ago
If my parents ask "How do I get control?" And someone answers "Getting Linux to work takes some time, but..." Their response should be that they won't even try. My parents have a hard time with the concept that there are things called "files". Directories are completely beyond them.
- erikb 11y ago
  I never intended to convince you or your parents to use Linux. It's just, that you said that they are able to do more, therefore they have more control. If you understand that the opposite might be the case then my job is done. In some scenarios it's okay to have less control in exchange to do more. I do such exchanges on a regular basis myself. But one must be aware that one gives away control, not gains control.
- super_mario 11y ago
  Really? You could not use actual paper file and filing cabinet as physical world analogues of computer files and directories? Pretty much everyone understands those metaphors, so why don't your parents?
- mindslight 11y ago
  Why not simply set up and maintain Linux for them? Especially because if the only thing amateurs need is a browser, then Ubuntu is exactly the same as everything else. They still won't have ultimate control, but you will. This is certainly a tradeoff (a personal relationship has more motives for violating trust), but depending on your relationship it can be a great way to distribute control away from ApplNSAoogle.
- 0xdeadbeefbabe 11y ago
  Directories and files have a real world analog that your parents are likely to understand, but I think the doofy interface obscures this to the point of confusion.