perhaps an interesting article

I too believe the author makes a valid point.

Here is my 2 cents. Making Linux, or any OS, idiot proof comes with a cost. The more transparent you make the front end, the back-end becomes more complex. Therefore, when problems do arise, they require more technical expertise to fix.

I have found that the more open a system, the easier it is to fix. Of course this openness comes with the cost of learning the OS. For instance, I find resolving MAC problems a nightmare compared to Windows because MAC OS has hidden most of the complexity.

Delievering idiot proof Linux desktops comes with a price: Security. Linux has been designed, unlike Windows 9x and Mac OS to prevent the typical user from making any system changes. Therefore the risk of hosing a system is much reduced. Reducing this security to better enable users to add new software components decreases the stability of the system when that user is uneducated in the proper use of the Operating System.

But there must be a way to accomplish this, and yet maintain a stable system.

The author of the article mentioned the daunting task of trying to decide which software to include in a typical Linux installation and how this is impractical to the average user. I would think that the average user would probably not be installing Linux like he did. In fact, the average user probably does not install Windows or any other OS. They purchase a computer with the OS already installed which usually comes with a package deal included practical apps. Upgrades for any OS induce the average user into a level of risk and unfamiliarity, which in turn, usually requires the person to begin educating themselves or seeking outside assistance.

Therefore, for Linux to be successful on the desk top requires manufacturers to deliver Linux systems configured with appropriate applications. Furthermore, the company can offer a service to provide users with additional software packages along the way. Most major distributions already do this. Red Hat: RPM, Debian: Debian Package Manager, Slackware: installpkg.

Small companies can take this one step further when catering to home users and small business by offerring service agreements like: 1) Providing software with customized install scripts based on the systems they have designed to be simple one-click installs; 2) Secure, remote configuration of client systems to install updates and software. The possibilities are limitless.