Linux/Unix - Linux is close to XP in usability

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Linux is close to XP in usability

Boulware5

2003-08-06, 11:08 pm

Study: Linux nears Windows XP usability

Researchers studied how easily users could perform tasks using the two operating systems

By John Blau, IDG News Service
AUGUST 04, 2003

Linux, once viewed as an operating system that only computer geeks could appreciate, is today a much more user-friendly software that companies, public administrations and consumers can master almost as easily as Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP. That's the core finding of a study published Aug. 1 by Relevantive AG, a Berlin-based company that specializes in consulting businesses on the usability of software and Web services.

The Relevantive usability study will be available for download in English in a few days, and comes as numerous government bodies and companies in Germany are migrating their IT systems away from Windows to Linux, while others are still debating the pros and cons of such a move. The independent study focuses on the use of Linux in companies and public-sector organizations, using Nuremburg, Germany-based SuSE Linux AG's Linux Professional 8.2 operating system software with the K Desktop Environment 3.1.2 graphical interface.

The researchers studied how easily two groups of users could perform tasks using the different operating systems. One group consisted of 60 users aged 25 to 55 with computer skills but no prior experience with Linux or Windows XP. They tested the preconfigured open-source software according to various criteria, such as the ease of creating and administrating files, copying CDs and performing some basic office tasks, such as composing a text and sending an e-mail.

The other group consisted of 20 users with the same qualifications who performed the exact same tasks on Windows XP.

The study findings suggest that it's almost as easy to perform most major office tasks using Linux as it is using Windows, which has a long history in the consumer market.

Linux users, for example, needed 44.5 minutes to perform a set of tasks, compared with 41.2 minutes required by the XP users. Furthermore, 80% of the Linux users believed that they needed only one week to become as competent with the new system as with their existing one, compared with 85% of the XP users.

But when it comes to the design of the desktop interface and programs, Windows XP still has a strong edge: 83% of the Linux users said they liked the design of the desktop and the programs, compared with 100% of the Windows XP users.

mikekeating

2003-08-07, 7:03 am

This is no surprise. Europe as a whole is getting ready to slam Microsoft for just about everything imaginable in buisness practices. I don't supose the guys at SuSe are helping in this?

Papiya

2003-08-07, 8:34 am

When i first started using Linux back in 1993, it was hard to use . . . strictly for geeks and hackers. But now, I find that it is just as easy to install and use as Windows is, if not easier. The only problem is that not all of the popular software that Random Q. User will want runs on Linux.

Yet.

urbman

2003-08-11, 2:24 pm

I would not say that Linux any flavor is as easy to install as Windows 2000/XP but you are right is has gotten a lot closers. I am fairly new to Linux and have been messing around with Redhat 7-9 and there have been some amazing improvements. Application support is still weak. Installation of applications is still lagging behind as well.

Papiya

2003-08-11, 2:52 pm

quote:
Originally posted by urbman
I would not say that Linux any flavor is as easy to install as Windows 2000/XP but you are right is has gotten a lot closers.

I would. Last time I installed red Hat, it consisted basically of clicking "Next" a dozen or so times. Slackware is still a bit spartan, but the mainstream distros aren't.

Tekmazter

2003-08-13, 10:43 am

I have to agree that installing Linux is very easy, but, only if you've done it before. How many people would know to install gcc so they can compile and install applications? Not many first timers.

Also, the whole usabilty thing isn't even close to WindowsXP. The shell is still buggy in Linux, and installing apps, and upgrading packages can be a little cumbersome to say that least. RH's verification of needed RPM's prior to installing an update or any new package for that matter can get someone who uses windows effortlessly tied all into knots. Since Windows is the 'standard', usability has to be compared directly to it, and while Linux has made long strides in recent past, I have to honestly say that it still has a long way to go.

My two cents

Papiya

2003-08-13, 11:48 am

quote:
Originally posted by Tekmazter
I have to agree that installing Linux is very easy, but, only if you've done it before. How many people would know to install gcc so they can compile and install applications? Not many first timers.

Also, the whole usabilty thing isn't even close to WindowsXP. The shell is still buggy in Linux, and installing apps, and upgrading packages can be a little cumbersome to say that least. RH's verification of needed RPM's prior to installing an update or any new package for that matter can get someone who uses windows effortlessly tied all into knots. Since Windows is the 'standard', usability has to be compared directly to it, and while Linux has made long strides in recent past, I have to honestly say that it still has a long way to go.

My two cents

gcc is installed by default ih nearly all Linux distros. Bash is buggy? That's news to me. It's the shell I regularly use.

Tekmazter

2003-08-13, 2:26 pm

gcc is not installed by default on a custom install, which would be the one of choice for most users looking to really get their feet wet with Linux.

When I said shell, I was referring to the X-Windows shell or as others call it --application. Yeah, Yeah, I know some people say that Xwindows is not a shell, it's an application, but I've heard this entire discussion both way's, so alas --shell. Not bash though, I mean all the command line shells have been around forever. You didn't really think I meant bash did you?

Talica

2003-08-13, 10:39 pm

Linux installs have improved, very user friendly when it comes to dual-boot wit XP or 2000.

RussS

2003-08-14, 12:20 am

Yes, but perhaps the biggest failing of Linux is that with so many different flavours the joe bloggs user just gets confused and heads to something nice and safe .. Windows something.

The other problem for most non technical users is the file system. After using windows explorer or whatever where things are nicely named to come across / or /usr or /root and they just get frustrated and look for the help desk.

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