Welcome
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Computers are complex tools. For many people they are user-hostile tools.
Technology (and science) distinguishes our modern world from that of our ancestors. Although technology pervades our modern existence, and although for many years I have been involved in writing about technology, I do not pretend to be a guru or subject matter on anything technological. I offer here only some of my personal experiences, observations, and ramblings. The appropriate Latin phrase for you the visitor is caveat emptor!
The theme of this web site might not be obvious from the site name. Computer programmers and engineers sometimes refer to certain kinds of information as being machine readable. I have read my share of technical documents, instructions, and How-Tos that I think were understandable only by machines rather than humans. Although my knowledge about computers is more extensive than some people, I am not interested in being a geek. I am interested in using computers proficiently. Geeky or complicated solutions might exist to solve a problem, but that does not mean the solution enables typical users in a proficient manner. I am always thinking in terms of the end-user—and the typical end-user. Hence, the name and theme of this web site.
My vocational and professional background is in instrumentation and controls, computers, industrial training, and technical writing. As might be expected, I am interested in several technology topics. Computers are an obvious interest. After more than two decades of owning a personal computer, I still tinker with them although today I treat computers more as a tool rather than a hobby. However, do not be led into thinking that I am fond of gadgetry. I am not. Additionally, as I age I notice that I grow more displeased with technology as the tools we humans now create become increasingly more complicated. I have been using computers for more than two decades and all along I have believed that computers are far more user-hostile than user-friendly. Nothing yet has changed my mind although I keep hoping for that change. As a friend often quipped when I helped him with his computer, “This stuff ain’t ready for prime time!”
Welcome!
Darrell Anderson
Musings and comments about my various attempts at migrating from Windows to GNU/Linux. I have been tinkering with GNU/Linux for several years. My current distro of choice is Slackware. I have yet to fully migrate and unless I find the time and energy to migrate all of my Word 97 templates and macros, and a usable browser finally arrives (according to my perception of usable), full migration is unlikely.
Somewhat self-explanatory in this day and age of the world wide web, n’est pas mon ami?
A Slackware Desktop Enhancement Guide
The Slackware GNU/Linux distro is well-known for stability and speed. Slackware also retains a reputation for being difficult to configure and maintain. Much of this latter reputation is deserved, but with this guide you too can create a desktop environment that is enjoyable and pleasing to use, and will be built upon the stability and speed of Slackware.
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