[deleted]
Free software scares normal people
491–500 of 641 posts
Re: Free software scares normal people
#492Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, if someone (especially an intern) who is not in the IT department decides to write an application, it's pretty obvious that they are not familiar with (and therefore won't follow) the processes of the IT department. That's the problem with these more "democratic" development environments: if something is beginner-friendly, beginners will use it...
Yes, the intern will not follow the procedure, and likely isn't even technically required to do so. But, before the application becomes a tool actually used inside the company, there should be some quality control done.
Think of the management structure which arranges, and is satisfied with, tedious, repetitive, manual paper-pushing processes - such that an INTERN can immediately see the efficiency benefits that would come with automation, and doesn't just suggest doing so, but actually builds a program (in limited intern timeframe), that is so helpful it's quickly picked up by multiple employees.
Then think again of those managers getting paid manager salaries who couldn't figure this out themselves - or worse, the ones who want to shut it all down because he didn't "follow the procedure" (the procedure of not doing anything useful???)
Re: Free software scares normal people
#493Another option is to hide some of the complexity in an additional advanced menu
That’s very much dependent on the author correctly judging what should go there though
Re: Free software scares normal people
#494Earlier quoted context omitted.
Of course this is ultimately the IT department's own fault for not responding quickly enough to legitimate business requirements. They need to actively look for ways to help rather than processing tickets.
Yeah, this is always the response. But it's wildly impractical - there are only so many developer hours available. The budget is limited, so not everyone gets what they want immediately. This should be obvious. Part of the problem is that the novices that create these applications don't consider all the edge cases and gnarly non-golden-path situations, but the experienced devs do. So the novice slaps together somethi…
> wildly impractical - there are only so many developer hours available
Which is a huge reason that learning a RAD (rapid application development - emphasis on rapid) tool is a pretty useful skill.
Re: Free software scares normal people
#495Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree, people can learn and appreciate if given the chance. But they've more important things to do so changing OS is just a distraction. I know, techies love to love or hate the OS. Here there are endless threads waxing lyrical about Windows, MacOS or say dozen Linux installs. But 99% of users could care less. It's kinda like cars. Petrol heads will talk cars for ages. Engine specs. What brand of oil. Gearbox rati…
> And I'm not interested in re-teaching her every bit of software, and she's not interested in relearning every bit of software. I don't see Windows as having much of an edge there. Lots of things seem to change on Windows just for change's sake. I get so tired of the churn on Windows versions and finding how to disable the new crummy features. If you want to avoid relearning all the time, something simple like XFCE…
> I don't see Windows as having much of an edge there.
But they specifically said it is not about OS, but about programs on this OS. There is Windows-based software that looks the same as 2 decades ago.
Re: Free software scares normal people
#496Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you don't trust the expert then why are you asking them to fix your stuff? It's a weird idea that you'd want an idiot to do what you say because you know better.
If they're asking the mechanic to do X and they understand the mechanic is just doing X and NOT venturing to fix your problem. I guess that is fine. I agree though it sets up a weird dynamic where folks might come back to the expert and complain a problem isn't fixed, but that's not what they asked for / they broke the typical expert and customer dynamic.
In my experience the best thing is to then convince the expert you are right, using your own expertise.
If your mechanic is too stupid to recognize the problem after you explain it then you don't have a mechanic, the set of hands you are directing is basically unskilled labor.
Re: Free software scares normal people
#497If handbrake scares them, don’t you dare to demonstrate how to use ffmpeg. I remember when I used handbrake for the first time and thought “wow, it’s much more convenient than struggling with ffmpeg”.
I actually think ffmpeg’s UI is simpler than Handbrake for those at all acquainted with the command line (i.e., for those who understand the concept of text-is-everything-everything-is-text). Handbrake shows you everything you can possibly fiddle with whether or not you plan on fiddling with it. Meanwhile ffmpeg hides everything, period, and you ask for specific features by typing them out. It's not great for discove…
It's funny: "in my head," Handbrake and ffmpeg are two different tools, with very different purposes. Even though they "do the same thing," the context when I use one over the other is very different.
Handbrake is easier in that I don't have to think too hard about how to use it; but that I think a lot more critically about the options that I choose.
FFmpeg is easier when I go in knowing the exact options I want; often pulled from notes that I've stored away, or combined with scripts.
Re: Free software scares normal people
#498Am I the only one who thinks Magicbrake should be a browser plugin?
Why? The same kind of people who find Handbrake intimidating also find the concept of files and juggling multiple applications intimidating.
Re: Free software scares normal people
#499A lot of this type of stuff boils down to what you're used to. My wife is not particularly tech savvy. She is a Linux user, however. When we started a new business, we needed certain applications that only run on Windows and since she would be at the brick and mortar location full time, I figured we could multi-purpose a new laptop for her and have her switch to Windows. She hated it and begged for us to get a dedica…
> Nothing wrong with Mac OS X
In fact, when I had a similar experience I ended up making a short list (which I since lost) of things that seemed terribly wrong UI wise.
True, overall Mac is just different. The issue that I have with that ecosystem is the too many people consider it "perfect" and don't even consider discussing issues and complaining about things. Every product has pluses and minuses, but if you the user "believes blindly" that "there is only one way" that is probably not good for anybody.
After a couple of weeks I adapted just fine to using the Mac, but I surely don't miss it either.
Re: Free software scares normal people
#500[deleted]