Subject: Re: Fedora Core 2 - review.

[Mark S Jones]

On Fri, May 21, 2004 at 11:15:45AM -0600, Robin Laing wrote:

>>> As Fedora does not include multimedia tools that people are used to in 
>>> Windows, it could be a problem.  Licensing issues aside, new users 
>>> coming from the Windows world will be quickly frustrated due to this.
>>> 
>>> A simple method to upgrade to a full multimedia package needs to be 
>>> looked at.  Even in business, multimedia is now required to view 
>>> various advertising or product information packages.  This must not be 
>>> via searches and multiple WWW sites but a single site with possibly a 
>>> single click.  A WWW link on the desktop to an offshore (outside US if 
>>> required) to a setup/install script for multimedia access.
>>> 
>>> It should be as easy as "yum install multimedia".
>
>
>How about the "Fedora Multimedia Installation HOWTO" on tldp.org?
>
><http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Fedora-Multimedia-Installation-HOWTO/>
>
>I admit it's not a one click solution, but it does a lot more than 
>just MP3s, and DVDs. It also explains a lot of the underlying
>issues as to why this software isn't included in the OS. I'm pretty
>sure not everything will work with FC2, but I think the general 
>idea is good. 
>
>I agree it should be easier, but I'm also a bit annoyed with people
>who think everything should work like Windows right out of the box. 
>Why not just use Mandrake?   =) 
>

I am a windows user for many years and have recently explored Linux. I installed Fedora core 1 as a dual boot and am very impressed with it. I have almost gotten it to work the way I do with Windows and have considered using it as my main OS. Then, along came Fedora core 2 and all of the problems people have encountered dual booting with Windows and with the various software and license issues, etc. I have been reading this List for sometime and must say that I am very disappointed with the responses given to Windows users that are encountering problems with core 2 or are comparing it to their experience with Windows. 

>I agree it should be easier, but I'm also a bit annoyed with people
>who think everything should work like Windows right out of the box. 
>Why not just use Mandrake?   =) 

Why should a response like this even be necessary? Linux is different than Windows period, Unfortunately for the Linux community, 90% of the world runs Windows. So if you want to really promote Fedora to a major segment of computer users, you will have to help Windows users with their problems they encounter with a new operating system, instead of offering sarcasm. Or, maybe we will use Mandrake. =)

Mark