"Software Centre"

[smhardesty]

Allow me to first make one thing very clear. I haven't even looked at a Windows based computer in over ten years. My responses here are therefore based on what I last saw on a Microsoft OS system 10 plus years ago. If changes and updates have occurred I am unaware of, I stand to be corrected or apprised and will gracefully do so.

I can use Synaptic. But new users, trying to come across from Windows (which i thought was part of the appeal) do struggle with it. It's heavy on initial information and daunting. I chose Lite for charity because i thought it would make it easier for people with little IT experience, or whose only experience would be WinMac.

First, your initial post, and therefore this thread, seemed to be primarily concerned with the "Software Center" installed by default by Linux Lite. You state that you "chose Lite" for people with little IT experience. That, in itself, is certainly open to interpretation. Are we speaking of completely computer illiterate individuals? Are they only occasional users of a borrowed computer running Win98? What level do you speak of? I stated on another thread that users new to Linux or just Linux Lite need basic instruction. If your intent is to load these older laptops up with Lite, deliver them to some individual that the distributes them to some young, first time Linux user with zero instruction, expect failure. Sorry to have to be blunt and state that, but it's a cold, hard, fact. I also stated elsewhere that any individual that is at all capable of finding their way around a Windows based PC has had some degree of instruction or training. A baby doesn't just sit down at the dinner table, grab a spoon, and feed itself. There is a relatively steep learning curve for that baby to learn the basics of using tableware to feed itself. The very same is true for computer use.

In the past I have had the displeasure of installing a Linux distribution on a friend's, neighbor's, or client's computer, then offering some very basic instruction only to hear back from the individual that "it sucks"/"it's junk"/"it won't work"/"it's nothing like Windows". Looking back I believe I should have offered even further instruction to a few of those people, but the fact is that most were so closed minded about trying something new they refused to apply even the slightest effort to researching and learning something on their own. This seems to be the mindset of a disappointing number of potential Linux users. Yes, they at least know how to move around in Windows. They then, for whatever reason, expect whatever distro they have chosen to be 100% intuitive and "just like Windows". If you want and expect Windows, then buy a Windows computer.

The recipients of these devices vary. Some may be excited about using and learning Linux. Many (most, just like everyone else) just wants to get stuff done. I don't deal directly with these people, i supply these machines for their case-workers to give them. I'm lucky the lady who runs the show was vaguely familiar with Linux and was receptive. Most charities i approached weren't interested: it's not WinMac

What i may be erroneously thinking is that people will get Linux Lite and go "i can only install these 20 programs?". Wipe it, and put Windows on it. This isn't my problem, but i love Linux and want people to know about it and use it (oh, and usually the hardware really can't copy with Windows 10). Its also possible that the limited choice that covers most app types is ok; that a more comprehensive range will just confuse people. But people are used to mobile phones with a billion apps, and WinMac with a billion apps so i don't know.

What drew me to LL was the online FAQ/help that covered some common errors and stuff, and i remember a useful error message that actually told the person how to fix it (for memory by linking to the FAQ). TBH i didn't even notice the sparsity of the Lite Software selection until i had trouble installing something via the Terminal and thought i'd see if it was in the 'software centre'.

I've only recently switched to Linux Lite for these peeps and i'm yet to get feedback. Depending on what they say, it may be the case that Linux Lite just isn't quite what i was looking for and i should continue to trial alternatives. I'll wait and see what happens with the recent batch before i do more.

Ouch! Oh, wow. I just read what you have stated about your involvement with the recipients, their case-workers, and the lady who runs the show. I now have the picture firmly envisioned. 1) You load an older, low powered laptop with Linux, deliver it to some lady, then walk away. 2) The "lady who runs the show" is only "vaguely familiar with" Linux of any flavor. 3) Case workers who probably know nothing about Linux and even less about Linux Lite then distribute the laptops directly to the recipients. Regardless of what I have said before, and might say after, this is a losing battle. Who do you expect to answer questions about Linux? Who is to provide instruction or advice? It seems you really do think these poor kids should just sit down at a PC and intuitively know everything they need to know to use the device. It's not going to happen, Derek. If I'm the first to say it to you, I'm sorry. If other members of this forum think I'm wrong and these kids are going to be sharp enough and bright enough to learn Linux from scratch, by themselves, I'm sure those members will chastise me and voice their opinions.

As to the "Software Center" and it's limited choices of software, unless changes have been made to Windows in the past ten plus years, where is there a "Software Center" or application similar to Synaptic to view and install software? Did Microsoft suddenly decide to provide a means to effortlessly install the "billions" of apps available for each and every version of Windows currently supported? How did they get around the proprietary software agreements? Are they allowing Windows users to install Microsoft Office for free on every Windows PC? You are asking Linux, and specifically Lite to offer every piece of software available in a simple, easy to use, software installer. If you want tens of thousands of free choices, learn Synaptic. Using only the default repositories you have literally tens of thousands of FREE software choices. How many similar choices are available for FREE for Windows? Shareware? Understand what shareware is and what is actually supposed to occur - PAYMENT for use. And what you may not be aware of is that you are completely free to add additional repositories to Synaptic. I'm not sure how many, but I have 5 or 6 additional added at the present time. Synaptic (or other means of updating) then updates not only the software choice, but every dependency that choice requires - effortlessly and without even having to think about it.

I'll also cover updating here briefly. You stated in another thread your displeasure with how "Lite Updates" worked. I suggested you "try looking into the tweaked Mint Update Manager that Ralphy has provided us". I'm guessing you haven't searched for, nor researched for your use, the tweaked update manager. I have to believe if you had, you would most certainly have posted some reply about how nice it will be to provide such a simple and easy to use update method for your laptop recipients.

Please don't expect ANY version of Linux, or any other OS, to be a "one size fits all", do everything for you, operating system. Those don't (and have never) exist. That includes PC-DOS/MS-DOS 1.0. Life, and computers, just don't work that way. Sorry.

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