____/ Kelsey Bjarnason on Tuesday 06 November 2007 12:21 : \____
> KUbuntu. Download developer library help files. Unzip tarball. Open
> relevant file. Zero issues.
>
> Windows XP. Download developer libary help files. Unzip files. Open
> relevant file. See dialog:
>
> "Open File - Security Warning"
>
> "Do you want to open this file?
>
> Name: blah
> Publisher: Unknown
> Type: Compiled HTML Help file
> From: [path to file]
>
> Open Cancel
>
> [x] Always ask before opening this file
>
>
> While files from the internet can be useful, this file type can
> potentially harm your computer. If you do not trust the source, do not
> open this software.
>
> What is the risk? [link]
>
> Hmm. Open link. Nothing particularly relevant.
>
>
>
> Let's note, however, we're not talking about an executable. We're not
> even talking about a script. We're talking about a *help file*. That is,
> something which is essentially text and images. Non-executable.
> Something which should pose absolutely zero risk to anything.
>
> Why, then, the dialog? Is it because Windows compiled help files are, in
> fact, _executable_? That would be, well, insane. And if they're not
> executable, what possible risk are they?
>
> Nothing in the dialog gives any indication whether the file actually poses
> a risk or not, nor what scope of risk, nor why it is a risk - if it is.
> As a user, I'm left with a rather ominous warning - and absolutely no way,
> based on what's presented, to tell if there even is an actual risk or not!
>
> Can someone please explain to me, since Linux is so hard and Windows is
> supposedly easier, how exactly getting ominous warnings with no apparent
> way to determine an appropriate action is easier than simply viewing
> perfectly safe and harmless documentation? And further explain how being
> faced with such a decision _at all_ is easier than simply viewing the
> documentation in complete safety?
Another excellent example, Kelsey (that's good advocacy). But don't compare KDE
to Windows. You'll end up having Windows very embarrassed. It's not as though
Windows enables the user to group windows of some type and move them jointly
to a different virtual desktop in minimised mode (crucial if you have 50
windows of the same kind, which I often do). It's not as though your session
will be fully restored after you log off and on again (or reboot)... the list
of examples goes on and on...
In general, a move from KDE to Windows is a very painful one because you have
certain basic expectations from the UI and they are not met. The promise of
the Windows 'perfect UI' (with $billions invested in research) isn't
fulfilled. Far from it!
--
~~ Best of wishes
Roy S. Schestowitz | GPL'd Othello: http://othellomaster.com
http://Schestowitz.com | GNU is Not UNIX | PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
http://iuron.com - proposing a non-profit search engine
|
|
