Why Nero on Linux?

As you may know, Technalign markets and works with the Windows community and we also work with the Linux communities via releases such as Pioneer Explorer. When we review communities there are different means in which a company or group of individuals release products such as MEPIS and others geared towards a specific, or targeted group, of people. Each release is imperative to a group of individuals and provides different functions and tasks aimed to the target audience. That's actually the beauty of Linux! For example, Automatix provides solutions to users in the Debian, K/Ubuntu, and MEPIS communities. It's really a needed product regardless of attacks from the developers in those communities.

When Technalign supported Automatix, it was apparent that many of the developers of the other communities have not provided the needed input to Automatix developers and then tore into them instead of offering assistance (see my previous blog entry). When LinSpire, as another example, came out with CNR (Click and Run) the same communities attacked LinSpire and FreeSpire for working with Microsoft as the enemy. When you look at companies or communities attempting to provide a service or product that meets the needs of any group of people you really need to understand what they are doing and why. When LinSpire works with Microsoft, it helps users have a better experience with products they use.

Technalign looks for solutions that meet the needs of companies and consumers to help fill the gap between a transition from Windows. Nero fills the gap with a tool 80% of the Windows users today are familiar with and use. One of the things that assists any user is a familiarity of a product or known commodity. Providing users an easy path to Linux is not a simple task since people have been using the Windows Operating Systems for many many years. This is one reason we've incorporated a “Programs Folder” with our product instead of Automatix or another tool at this time. Since we are now working with more Windows users, our demographic is different than, lets say MEPIS or PCLiunxOS.

I've already received emails and complaints that we are now working with companies that hurt Linux after Technalign placed Nero on our pages only 1 day ago. I still don't understand how providing a utility that assists any user transitioning from Windows and fits a demand is a problem? It's just like asking how can Automatix that fits the needs of millions of people hurting a distribution? When a product such as Automatix meets the needs and fills a gap that assists a community, the communities should work together. I understand that Automatix caused some system problems, but why aren't the community members helping them instead of attacking them? In the case of Nero, K3b is a great application, but now Linux users and Windows users transitioning have the same Blue Laser technology on the Linux platforms and a utility they know how to use on Linux.

Bringing more and more applications that are running on Windows does assist users in the transition from Windows to Linux, either in business or the consumer areas. The more the better, and I believe that when more Windows applications and utility companies start moving more applications, we'll start to see more individuals and companies moving from Windows to Linux. Isn't that the goal; to assist any user from any community coming to Linux with some Linux variant?

About Automatix, Arnie and his team

I've been reading a lot lately about how Automatix has been messing up systems for people and at the same time how so many people love Automatix. I believe that in any community, such as Automatix, there are those that love and those that hate the product they have released. Remembering that Automatix is a group of people who love Linux, especially Debian releases and derivatives, I think it's safe to assume Arnie and his team love helping people and getting things working for others.

Technalign moved to a programs folder concept and launched it with Pioneer Basic and Pioneer Explorer. We are working with more Windows users than with Linux users who visit computer stores for a boxed set and assistance/support from a store owner or companies working with solution providers for assistance and support. Working with the business community, we believe and from much input, that the folder was easier for them to maneuver. For Technalign, it's all about working with the Windows users. When we see more input from the Linux community, we will do our best to support them and provide what they would like as well with the community editions such as Pioneer Explorer and coming with Pioneer Renegade (gnome). This is one reason we moved to Pioneer Explorer for the community and later Renegade.

We hope that more and more Linux users will use the system and provide input as to what changes or enhancements they would like to see, and we do get numerous support inquiries via the contact forms though. We hope one day that people start using the forums more though and provide more input to the team here and the community leaders.

I want to explain why Technalign moved away from Automatix on our distributions, although we continue to support them via the server we provide. Working with Windows users required us to create a different approach to how we delivered difficult applications and how to make them work of course for those migrating off of Windows. We've found some like the concept while others don't of course within the Linux community. We've moved away from Automatix only because we are dealing more with the Windows community right now than the Linux. Although people may still install Automatix anytime they wish (I would suggest a Debian Automatix build instead of Ubuntu at this time).

I've read an article about how the Ubuntu folks ran some tests on Automatix, and that the tests reviled many problems with the Automatix application on K/Ubuntu. I never read anywhere when I searched how they provided input to Arnie and his hard working group of volunteers. It amazed me that the article didn't explain how to improve Automatix or how they might get feedback to correct the issues. I always thought, and may be wrong, that communities would work with each other and help when so many of their users were using the product.

All in all, I think that the K/Ubuntu folks should talk to Arnie and ask him if they would like any help. Since Arnie and his group are a great bunch of guys, they would be more than happy to work with anyone wanting to learn assistance. I believe that Automatix is a community product that provides assistance to many people, and they get over 50 million hits per month on their website to prove it.

All I want to say is that I hope more community members assist each other and communities in the future such as the Automatix team. These guys really rock and help everyone they can via the forums. It's just a great group of people wanting to help make Linux easier and help promote Linux.

When you see someone bashing Automatix, remember that because of this small group of Pioneers, no pun intended, people get their Linux systems working the way they needed it when a distribution may have not provided the functionality they got "out of the box". They are always working on improving things as well. You may ask the person bashing to get a hold of Arnie and the folks at Automatix to lend assistance where it may be needed and help other communities as well.


Dianne

Dianne Ursini's Technalign Blog

Just to say hello and I've just setup my own blog to start communications a tad more with both communities - business and community of course.

I'm going to allow reader comments so I know what a lot of you are thinking and hopefully work out any issues or concerns properly.

Dianne