Vote Up
3
Votes
Vote Down

TheAverageUser™

Sep 8, 2010 3:42 PM
By Delano
2 comments

When used by freedomites, it has both a fixed and an expandable, dynamic definition. Since they’re out of touch with what computer usage is really about, they define a user’s needs to suit their whim.

To the Linux crowd, an “average user” is always equal to a blithering idiot and requires endless hand-holding because they can’t fathom the peril of using Microsoft software.

Extensions to “average users” include:

  • People willing to use crappy FOSS applications.
  • Anyone willing to reduce their OS to a browser and IM platform.
  • Folks who can copy and paste commands into their terminals.
  • Anybody who hates Microsoft.

Related Trademarks

Comments
#1 Posted by DrLoser on Sep 9, 2010 7:48 AM

There’re two classes of “average user,” aren’t there?

Before:

  • People who are frustrated by the needless cost and complexity of Office (which sabotages the open standard, ODF!)
  • Anyone who phones their grandchildren every half hour because they’ve got malware
  • Folks who can’t use anything but copy-paste
  • Anybody who is duped by Microsoft

After:

  • People who have seen the light. YouDontNeedThat™!
  • Smartest grannie in the world
  • Folks who prefer to UseEsotericWorkarounds™
  • Anybody who hates Microsoft

I think you’ve got point (3) inverted, but the general drift is spot-on.

In theory, of course, both these classes comprise exactly the same people. All the first half need is a Live CD…

#2 Posted by kurkosdr on Sep 9, 2010 3:49 PM

Damn right.

According to the freetards, the “average user” is tech savvy enough and equipped with enough linux-specific knowledge to be able to configure the unfriendly mess that’s linux, yet he expects noting more than the most basic functionality from his computer.

As everyone knows, it’s exactly the opposite. People want as much functionality possible and are willing to learn only the least amount of stuff to do the job.

But worry not, because TheFutureIsCloudy™, and if you don’t know esoteric linux knowledge like whether you should choose the flgrx or the radeon driver or the specific commands you should type to get the mpeg codecs, just so you can shoot a dvd and a browser, YouShouldn’tBeUsingComputersAnyway™.

You must be signed in to leave comments.