Using a Computer is like Driving a Car

I just ran into a situation that reminded me what some people want to do with Linux.  My example is cars.  Recently, we’ve begun to have trouble with our 6 year old van.  The Power Steering seems to be cutting in and out as is the AC.  I think this is a serpentine belt going out, but while driving back from Church, the scary thing happened and the check engine and the oil light came on simultaneously for a second or two then went out.  Everything was running ok except the aforementioned steering issue.  As I went home, the temp shot up to H after sitting at a light which I theorize could possibly be related to issue with the belt.  However, when I did get home and checked the oil, the dipstick was WAY low.  So, I went and got some oil and put it in and that made me think…why ISN’T there a gage to warn us before the red light goes on?  This is what users want from their computers whether it runs Linux or not.

Windows users, like my wife, want everything to be automatic.  Linux users after they are acclimated, generally accept what they have to do to run a Linux system.  However, thanks to Ubuntu making great strides in usability, now the Linux world is being invaded by people like my wife who want the computer to be an appliance.  They want it to do what they want it to do when they want to do it and they don’t care about the details that it takes to do it.

Windows and Mac OS X have been exposed to this for a while now.  Linux has only recently been open to this kind of an audience.  In fact, Linux already gets some things right by default, but not all.  Somethings are already better than the way Windows handles things.  Alot of things are not (Linux zealots hold your thoughts).

What I want to say is this a right kind of opinion?

Mechanics tell you you must do a oil change and must check the belts and transmission fluid and all sorts of things and still there are people who don’t do this and they get zapped.  This happened to us today.  How much would a car cost with all the intelligence it needs to tell us when to put new oil in or when it’s low?  How about when your shocks need changed before they fail?  What about a digitized indicator for brake wear??  What about all of these?  Cars would cost much higher than they do now.  Car companies are already having problems largely of their own doing, but I can’t discount all of the carbon emission stuff that’s being bandied about.  All of this emission control does cost car companies something.

On a computer running Windows, you must install antivirus programs and malware scanners at a minimum, but what if they had a process that would automatically copy from a CD to your cellphone and tag the songs correctly for each and every cell phone model and playing software out there.  Can’t do it and even if you did hit a majority 0f the phones, someone make end up liking some obscure peace of crap from 5 years ago and still want to use it with their PC.  Event then, there is more obscure stuff out there that isn’t supported because it’s old.

With Linux, it’s even worse because some manufacturers won’t provide a drawing or schematic or whatever details the developer may need to write a driver.  This makes supporting every single piece of hardware a impossibility and also makes this kind of “appliance software” a impossibility

A car has certain maintenance.  A computer, Windows or Linux based have thier own idiosyncratic things.  Until we realize this at some point, we will have unexpected behaviors.

What do you think?  Should cars or computers be more complicated by being less complicated to use?  Should Ubuntu keep putting effort into making it easier to use?

Been a while

Wow.  I am extremely LAX at posting over here.  Let me explain a little bit of where I have been.

First, my son Luke has had many issues in the past year that we are still battling.  None of these are physical health issues.  He’s been diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers.  This lays special challenges to my wife and I and has definitely put a strain on things at home.  God and my family both come before everything else….and I mean EVERYTHING.

Second, I am a senior team member over at Gear Diary writing reviews, news and views in my spare time.  I love writing with the team at Gear Diary and intend to do this for as long as I can!   Judie is a incredible person and I thank her for all she does for the team.

Thirdly, and most recent is I am also now a part time host of the Linux Link Tech Show, although it seems like it’s been every week lately!   The hosts of the Tech Show are my friends and I love being in the asterisk channel EVERY week I can be.  These guys are some of the best people I have ever met in the Linux community.

Lastly, I do the Life in Ohio Podcast when I get the spare chance.  I still like sharing my life and talking abouit Ohio, it’s just taken a back seat to more important things.

Oh and I forgot…I volunteer with the scouts and my church as well.  So, as you can see, this leaves little time for blogging over here, but I hope things settle out soon!  I will always maintain this blog for things that don’t fit Gear Diary, TLLTS or Life in Ohio podcast.

PostBot: Posting from Android

Ahh I can post from my phone. Too cool!

Congrats to Aaron Newcomb

Was listening to this week’s FLOSS Weekly and Aaron Newcomb of the_source video podcast is going to be on FLOSS  Weekly on February 25th to discuss ZFS.  The file system that is going to be used in Apple’s Snow Leopard and is used in Solaris.

I’ve met Aaron and he’s a incredibly nice guy and fun to hang out with.  Looking forward to OLF 2009 and dinner at BD’s again!

How I would share my 6k in computers

So moosh wants to know how I would share it….here goes:  My mom in law needs a new computer.  I intend on taking it with me to her house before I go to my Mom’s for Christmas and bring with it my installation expertise, training and a copy of Kung Fu Panda.  I also want to take her to a place with free wifi and have the whole family surfing while we have a small pre holiday dinner.  Help me share the magic with a 10+ year cancer survivor/warrior.

Techie Diva Giving up The Magic

Please pick me, Techie Diva, to win the HP Magic Giveaway so I can give a great gift to my Mother in Law this Christmas season.

I Art a Slacker….or too busy entering contests!

HP Magic Giveaway is going on NOW!  Learn more about it here: Jake Ludington’s HP Magic Giveaway

Decision ‘08 Presidential Results

Follow results right HERE courtesy of MSNBC.

Thank You Tech Show

I want to thank the Tech Show for another awesome year.  5 years.  Wow.  To think….I JUST got my old Powerbook back then and I do not have it anymore.  My son was only 4.  I was a budding sysadmin.  Linc and Dann moved.  It’s incredible to me the amount of content they have created and ha ave provided over the years.  Thank you to Linc, Dann, Allan and Pat.  We’ll see you at OLF!….

Oh…..DANNN FAAAARTING!  

Happy Birthday!

Technorati Tags: Linux, Tech Show, Podcast

It’s fun to stay at the YMCA!

Hey guys.  Been I while I know, but I have been busy.  Last Friday I joined the Y and I have been to the Y every day since.  The last 3 days I have did 1 hour of cardio total.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who reads this and encourage everyone to check out what they have at the Y.  You might be surprised!  Your area may have a state of the art fitness facility like ours does!

Link: Central Ohio YMCA