On 06/10/2011 11:32 PM, Stephen wrote:

> Actually I can’t be bothered to learn another OS and like Andrew I’ve
> got lots of s/ware that works on Windoze.

It's worth learning just to see how it does stuff different. (At least, 
if you're curious about stuff like I am.) Whether it's worth /using/ is 
another matter entirely...

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> Audio certainly is an area that's recognised as being problematic.

Really? I thought that was Wi-Fi.

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>> LOL, as long as you realize that there are loads of people for whom it's
>> not a problem. :)
>
> I think of all the areas, "audio" and "usability" are recognized as
> being low on the list for Linux.

Required XKCD quote: http://xkcd.com/619/

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On 07/10/2011 02:48 AM, Darren New wrote:
> On 10/6/2011 17:04, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> Though given that you said Ubuntu, I'm guessing it's not openSUSE....
>
> Technically, it's goobuntu. Everything at google starts with a G. It's
> actually somewhat disturbing.

I am disturbed. o_O

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>> In Windoze:
>>
>> Start>  type calc [enter]

Actually, I put that on the Quick Launch bar so I can always access it 
quickly.

> In Linux:
>
> In the already running terminal window (on my system, I always have one
> running), "bc".

1. How do you get it so a terminal is always available? (Most distros 
I've seen make the terminal program one of the hardest things to find. 
It's easy to find Firefox or Evolution or Jabba, but the terminal window 
is usually somewhere under "advanced"... It's almost as if I'm using a 
Microsoft OS!)

2. Why type "bc" when you can type "ghci"? ;-)

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On 06/10/2011 11:52 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> I rather have a shopping list.:)
>
> And for something like a running total, round numbers are "good enough".
>

I do and it is. But knowing what to round and in what direction requires 
a little effort.

> But one of the trends in learning in general is that people tend to not
> try to remember facts because they can be looked up so easily.  This is
> analogous to people not being able to do basic arithmetic because of the
> ubiquity of technology that makes it unnecessary.
>

And is that a good trend? If you don't exercise your memory then you run 
the risk of not being able to use it when you need it. It is all very 
well being able to look things up but if you can't remember what it is 
that you want to know.
Another case is in social interaction. It gives a poor impression if you 
can't remember who the current prime minister or president is but say 
just a minute while I Google that.

> I'm not saying it's a particularly good thing, but it's the way people
> tend to behave.

They also like to sit on a couch and eat potatoes. ;-)

-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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On 06/10/2011 11:52 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> In Windoze:
>> >
>> >  Start>  type calc [enter]
> In Linux:
>
> In the already running terminal window (on my system, I always have one
> running), "bc".

Better than short cuts on the desktop IMO.
But then it (unreasonably) pisses me off watching some other people use 
their computers. Their slow deliberate use of the mouse and context menu 
makes me want to shove them aside and drive myself. Lord! I'm getting to 
be a crusty old man. :-)

-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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>> But one of the trends in learning in general is that people tend to not
>> try to remember facts because they can be looked up so easily. This is
>> analogous to people not being able to do basic arithmetic because of the
>> ubiquity of technology that makes it unnecessary.
>
> And is that a good trend?

I doubt it.

> If you don't exercise your memory then you run
> the risk of not being able to use it when you need it. It is all very
> well being able to look things up but if you can't remember what it is
> that you want to know.

For some reason, every single time I'm in a car, I think up an endless 
list of things I want to look up. And then when I get to my computer, I 
can't remember any of it. Apparently I'm stupid.

> Another case is in social interaction. It gives a poor impression if you
> can't remember who the current prime minister or president is but say
> just a minute while I Google that.

In other news: I have absolutely no idea who is in charge of this 
country at the moment. Then again, given the minimal impact it has had 
on my life, I suppose that might be why.

>> I'm not saying it's a particularly good thing, but it's the way people
>> tend to behave.
>
> They also like to sit on a couch and eat potatoes. ;-)

"Hey Andrew, aren't you going to come and watch Strictly Come Dancing 
with me?"

"Erm, no. I'm going to go out with my friends and ACTUALLY DANCE. Not 
sit on a couch and merely WATCH people dance. :-P But hey, you enjoy 
your evening."

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> But then it (unreasonably) pisses me off watching some other people use
> their computers. Their slow deliberate use of the mouse and context menu
> makes me want to shove them aside and drive myself. Lord! I'm getting to
> be a crusty old man. :-)

No, that was already annoying me 20 years ago...

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On 06/10/2011 11:54 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> Ye’r not biased by any chance?
> Oh, yes, I'm biased, and I don't try to hide it.:)
>

I know, I know. :-)

>> >  Actually I can’t be bothered to learn another OS and like Andrew I’ve
>> >  got lots of s/ware that works on Windoze.
> Whereas I can't be bothered to use Windows for the vast majority of what
> I use a computer for these days, and I don't have a collection of Windows
> software holding me back.<gd&rvvvf>
>
That is another point. I need the M$ Office Suite for work and 
complained bitterly when they changed to Office 2007. Which reminds me 
of the faux quote attributed to Petronius Arbiter.

"We trained hard... but it seemed that every time we were beginning to 
form up into teams we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life 
that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful 
method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing 
confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization."

> But my point above was that if you're citing "numlock doesn't behave the
> way I'm used to" as "another reason to give Linux a miss", it's not
> really that great of a reason.;)

It is no reason at all, at all. :-D

-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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