Why is Fedora a multimedia disaster? - Here is why.

[Dotan Cohen]

On 19/04/07, Rahul Sundaram <sundaram at fedoraproject.org> wrote:
> Dotan Cohen wrote:
> > On 19/04/07, Rahul Sundaram <sundaram at fedoraproject.org> wrote:
> >> Dotan Cohen wrote:
> >> > On 18/04/07, Rahul Sundaram <sundaram at fedoraproject.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> > [K]ubuntu had always had the goal of being simple for new users, a
> >> > goal that I understand is not on Fedora's priority agenda.
> >>
> >> Your understanding is wrong. http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Objectives
> >
> > Nowhere in that document is it even implied that Fedora should be
> > simple for new users. The closest that I found was this:
> > "To emphasize usability and a "just works" philosophy in default
> > configurations and feature designs."
>
> ... which automatically makes it simple for *everyone* including new
> users. It would be nice if you could drop having a argument just for the
> sake of it.

Until end users can click on an mp3 file, and keep clicking dialogs
until it plays (with no googling/searching/reading and no prior
knowledge) then Fedora will not be simple for new users. Additionally,
I didn't think that Fedora wanted to get to that point until I saw
CodecBuddy.

Rahul, please stop thinking that I am arguing for the sake of it. I am
pointing out weaknesses and other traits in my favorite Linux distro
and I have been not once used argumentive terms, agression, nor
insulting remarks. I am not arguing, rather, I am presenting a case.

> You expressed a opinion that we need to drop creating live
> images which we are not going to do for reasons explained earlier.

Obviously I don't want the LiveCD project to be dropped. But I
emphasize the need to consider it's impact. When a general turns down
a plan for arresting a terrorist, do I think that he does not want the
terrorist arrested? Obviously not. But he has concerns regarding the
planned execution of the mission and stresses the importance of
certain aspects. It's not personal, and it's certainly not an
argument.

> You
> also feel that new users might get scared because people might come
> across a Fedora live image and try it out. I am not sure we can or need
> to avoid that. Anything else?

We cannot avoid that, therefore we must ensure that the LiveCD does
not deter them. Do you disagree with that? If so (and you have every
right to disagree) then please tell me how it would benefit Fedora if
new users try the LiveCD, find it impossible to do what they need, and
write off Linux (not just Fedora) as impossible to use. That is not a
one-in-a-million hypothetical situation. I would imagine (this is not
based upon research) that a large (over 10 or even 20 percent) of
downloads would be for this purpose.

Dotan Cohen

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