Re: tlug: e-Mailers [was:Mew on (X)Emacs the way to go?

[John De Hoog <washi@example.com>]

Howard Abbey <habbey@example.com> wrote:

> There is a basic conflict between power & ease of use.  The more stuff I
> stick in a Swiss Army Knife, the larger & harder to pull out what I want
> it is.  Everybody wants power & ease of use.  Linux gives more power.
> Windows more ease of use.  If you want power, you buy more software.  NT 
> gives some power and pretends to be easy to use, IMHO.  The ideal is to 
> have the power available, but hide it with easy interfaces.  I.E. Have a 
> powerful car engine with all complex adjustments available under a hood, 
> with the steering wheel & basic control pedals inside (with optional stick 
> shift).  Perhaps one day Linux will get there.  
> 
> Currently, if you want a muscle car, you have to get under the hood.  Or
> perhaps find a good mechanic or hobbyist in your area.

You've summarized the issues pretty well. It's just that some people
seem to confuse ease of use with wimpiness, and difficulty with power.
In many cases where Linux et al. are difficult, the real problem is that
no one has bothered to make them easier. That is changing, fortunately,
but the attitude does persist, even in this group.

--
John De Hoog, Tokyo
dehoog@example.com
washi@example.com
http://washi.nu

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