Rev for Linux (was Re: iPadding around?)

[Richmond Mathewson]

On 03/02/2010 02:26, Richard Gaskin wrote:
> Peter Alcibiades wrote:
>
>> The way you do Debian is, you stick with Stable, just getting the 
>> security
>> and occasional really major application updates, for around 2 years.  
>> This
>> is done with
>>
>>      apt-get update
>>      apt-get upgrade
>
> And that's why I use Ubuntu.  :)
>
> In Ubuntu, you don't do anything - the OS checks for updates and 
> prompts the user as needed, an experience very much like OS X.
>
> Mine notified me of updates just last night, and kindly reminded me 
> that I was on battery power rather than AC, suggesting I might want to 
> plug in because it would take a few minutes.  It's that level of 
> fit-and-finish, letting me ignore the details of the OS and focus 
> instead on the apps I use within it, that has me enamored of the 
> Ubuntu experience.
>
>
>> The idea some people advocate here, that Rev should somehow 
>> standardize on
>> Ubuntu, or that the world should for that matter, is a 
>> misunderstanding of
>> Linux, and its also just plain wrong about the standing of Ubuntu as a
>> distribution.
>
> For myself, my only advocacy at this point is that Rev standalones 
> work well under Ubuntu, and if they work well there they'll work well 
> in most distros.
>
> But as for the Rev IDE product, I don't really care as much anymore. 
> Developers will sort it out; if Rev used a Debian package it would be 
> a little more convenient, but it's not at all difficult to put my Rev 
> icons where I want them in my system myself even with just a Zip file 
> as we have now.
>
> Your earlier post about distros changed my mind about the details of 
> how Rev plays on Linux; you raised many good points, and indeed I have 
> come to agree that it doesn't hurt to have any number of distros 
> available for every taste.
>
> But I've been able to relax about the variety of distros only because 
> one of those has done such an outstanding job of focusing on 
> simplifying the newbie experience.  I'm referring of course to Ubuntu.
>
> Yes, Ubuntu is not for everyone. There are plenty to choose from, so 
> everyone can get the exact flavor they find most tasty.  There are 
> some truly mind-blowing packages out there - I think it's safe to say 
> that some of the boldest experimental UI work around today is being 
> done in Linux more than on Windows or OS X.  With so many different 
> flavors there's no need for all of them to play it safe, but the 
> one-size-fits-all OSes don't have such a luxury, needing to cater to 
> everyone with a single product.
>
> But please remember that one man's limitations is another man's 
> freedom.  For an experienced user like yourself Ubuntu's less frequent 
> updates isn't helpful.  But for newbies, updating every day is a 
> hassle. And for developers, less frequent releases means the platform 
> is less of a moving target.
>
> I used to be concerned that the unique value Linux brings to the table 
> as the world's most mature and robust free OS would be hampered by 
> distros catering only to initiates, those who've paid their dues with 
> make files and shell commands and generally prefer what the average 
> computer user might think of as a bit geeky.
>
> Since then, Ubuntu has emerged as a leader for folks who want to enjoy 
> Linux but don't want to learn it.  Sure, it's as Linux as any other, 
> so if you want to dive into the deep end there's plenty of room to 
> swim. But for the average computer user who just wants to get stuff 
> done, Ubuntu's focus on the end-user experience makes it quite 
> accommodating, requiring far less prerequisite knowledge to use it 
> effectively than any other distro I've tried.
>
> So for myself, and others who make consumer software products, Ubuntu 
> is a very appealing target.  It's bringing the benefits of Linux to an 
> audience who might otherwise remain just a bit too intimidated to try 
> it, and that level of broad consumer adoption can only help the Linux 
> world as a whole.  Indeed, it's essential in order to fix Bug #1. :)
>

Bravo Richard, extremely well stated!

sincerely, Richmond Mathewson.