24 Jan
2011
24 Jan
'11
5:58 p.m.
On Mon, 2011-01-24 at 09:01 -0500, Katheryne Draven wrote:
On 1/23/11, David C. Rankin
<drankinatty(a)suddenlinkmail.com> wrote:
<snip>
I think we need to focus first on the parent
directories (Office or
Desktop Publishing, Tools, Utilities, etc etc) then work on the
subdirectories. I think the apps should help us determine what
subdirectories are needed. I urge the use of proper computer
terminology, avoiding the use of "MS Terms". We should mean to
education as well, after all knowledge is freedom (among other good
things).
With regard to "mytools", it smacks too much as a homage to MS, with
its "My this" and "My that", but in the end its not my decision. Its
clearly something Trinity as a whole must make. I do urge against the
use of MS terminology. I understand the belief that if its familiar,
it will make the use more comfortable. That, however, has not been my
eXPerience :). Users who leave windows for Linux cringe when they see
references to it. They're finally free of their master, why would they
wish to build a shrine to it? The use of MS terms, also reinforces the
belief that Linux is just a second rate Windos wannabe.
OH BLAST! Where did this soapbox come from??!!
<snip>
<grin> I'd be a little careful of the soap box, though. I have little
respect for Microsoft practices but, as someone on the front lines of
Windows -> Linux conversions, familiarity is critically important.
People have businesses to run and could care less about educating
themselves (rightfully). They just want to be able to drive the car
without knowing how it works. So, where something is functional (folder
vs. directory) we might be able to make the case (frankly, folder is
probably more familiar to those who consider a directory structure
analogous to a filing cabinet while directory makes much more sense to
IT types) but, where it's simply a name, we could call it lampshade for
all I care but keeping things familiar remove possible stumbling blocks
to adoption. Office politics can be mighty powerful and if the opponents
are all crying, "it's all different and we don't have time to learn
it,"
they can turn the tide on a conversion effort. I vote for familiarity
even if it makes me cringe. Thanks - John