Recent articles I have read by people complaining about how things on Linux do not work like they do on Microsoft led me to coin the phrase Microsoft Trained Brain Syndrome (MTBS). The problem is that people who have lived, worked, and played in a homogeneous Microsoft computing paradigm are lost and confused when they encounter a different paradigm. These people have only seen the flawed Microsoft ideology for how computing systems should work and so have a difficult time with more elegant systems based on Unix. They see the Linux system with its’ own paradigm and ideology and try to force it into the only paradigm they know, which is Microsoft’s. This will always cause the user problems.
These people may or may not have a problem with an Apple system running OS X since Microsoft’s desktop is at base basically a rip-off of Apple’s desktop. Apple’s desktop is arguably a rip-off of the X windowing system used on Unix and Linux. However, both Apple’s desktop and Microsoft’s desktop diverge significantly from X. Of course underneath the graphical interface Apple OS X now has much more in common with Unix and Linux than it does with Microsoft systems. In any case, because these other platform ideologies are different from Microsoft’s ideology the typical Microsoft Trained Brain Syndrome user can have a rough time trying to adapt.
I have had discussions about this problem with others prior to today. My point in these discussions is that if one took an average child with average intelligence, gave the child a first computer exposure with Linux installed with a graphical interface and a bit of instruction to get started, the child would have no problem using Linux and learning how to do tasks with Linux. The point is that if one starts using Linux based computers from a tabula rasa condition then there are no bad habits to unlearn. The people that have only learned the Microsoft paradigm have bad habits to unlearn and much new information to learn. These people should attempt to approach Linux like a child that knows nothing about a computing paradigm and has never been exposed to another computing ideology.
In regard to computing systems we are all beginners, or “kindergarten children” if you will, at some point. Many computer users progress through a school of knowledge under the Microsoft paradigm to become “seniors” in the Microsoft ideology college. These users then discover they are not satisfied with their only exposure to computing systems under the Microsoft tutelage and attempt to branch out with Linux. It is at this point that the Microsoft Trained Brain Syndrome becomes a problem for many. These users discover there is a totally different Unix school that has a largely different curricula from what they know. For whatever reason they decide to attempt to use the old knowledge from Microsoft training in this new school and are discouraged, shocked and/or angry that it does not work. What these users need to do is ignore almost all they know about computing from their Microsoft Trained Brain and start over.
The bottom line dear reader is, do not attempt to force preconceived notions and knowledge from a totally different computing paradigm onto Linux. Ignore your previous knowledge from your Microsoft Trained Brain and start over with Linux as if you are a child getting a first exposure to computing systems. I guarantee this will help you in the long term. Many of us wait to welcome you to our universe of heterogeneous computing.
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Microsoft users have brains ? (Cheap shot)
There are differences in focus rules between systems, I am fooling around with Tk and python, and the difference shows. Most often, changing from mousing to typing will result in text controls re-scrolling.
Also, most Microsoft users simply do not understand software as task based instead of product based. Instead of “I need to modify a text file”, “I need to use Word”. “I need a spreadsheet” not “I need to use Excel”.
I am trying to teach a user about HTML, and instead of learning the tags and using a basic text editor, they mangle it with word, and can’t understand why the “HTML” emitted is so complex.
Take away the complex tools, use the simple ones. Show human readable formats, instead of binary voodoo.
Yes, the Microsoft users I know do have brains.
Good points, carl, thanks for the comment.
Interestingly enough, my first “real” computer (not including my Commodore 64) was a Commodore Amiga, and I find myself using my Amiga Trained Brain when I’m using Linux, rather than the Microsoft one.
I bought an Apple Mac Mini for my step-father. Despite it being easier to use and more stable/secure he continuously has problems. One of the major ones is that he tries to install Windows software because websites offer him those installers rather than OS X. Another is that websites say he doesn’t have some plug-in then just says ‘manual install’ with no further insight. If it wasn’t for me being able to support him via remote desktop (LogMeIn) he would have sent it back and got a Windows machine because every time he asks the local computer shop what is wrong they say ‘oh its because you have a Mac, they just don’t work as well as Windows. We don’t support Apple machines. You have to talk to Apple if you want it fixing’. Imagine your average Joe trying to install anything on a Linux distro, if they can’t understand something as simple as OS X. Windows might be a very weak, poorly designed platform – unfortunately the support network for the OS is pervasive.
tomb (comment #3), you have a head start on many modern Microsoft Trained Brain Syndrome users. You were exposed to heterogeneous computing early on. From what I can tell, those who come from other platforms, like the Amiga, have little problem with Unix concepts.
Adey (comment #4), the problem is a network of Microsoft Trained Brain Syndrome. These people that nay-say to Apple and Linux users are themselves suffering from this ailment. I would argue that the support network for Linux is quite pervasive as well. But again, it uses a different paradigm from that of Microsoft. So, people must adjust their thinking.
GREAT article! I built a computer my best friend’s girlfriend and her family. I MADE clear that there are differences between Micro$oft and Linux and they would end up being much happier with a Linux based system. They have dial up, so I installed Gnome-PPP before I shipped it back to them….. three weeks later and tons of phone calls and trying to help them out over the phone (the dial up was working when I shipped it), they still can’t get it working. I am sorry to say that my friend is going to install XP on it. Linux is ready for prime time, but most people however, are not! Thanks for the article!
As much as I agree, I also have to disagree. People may also think this way because somethings are just done better on MS / Apple product.
Take for example: video card installation. Where is this easier, apple or mac. Bring up the properties, install a new driver. Or to install an ati driver in Linux. Download, drop to a command prompt, sh file, and hope it works afterwards. Just dropping to a command prompt is going to be an issue for a newbie.
Personally, I am a big advocate of Linux, but some things need to be a bit more seemless. Driver installation really should not be a hastle the way that it is. Installation of drivers is far easier in OS X and MS.
I spent 3 hours trying to get my ATI card working in RH10, but not without hacking away at it. It is these kind of things (though not all Linux fault) that are the single main prob with Linux. Most people are not enthusiasts, they are users.
Alan (comment #7), sadly you are correct. Many people are not ready for Linux and this is because of MTBS. Thanks for trying with your friend of a friend’s family. Keep trying and keep helping.
Frank (comment #8), if one is installing an ATI, nVidia or Intel based video card on a distribution that uses Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS), then most of these cards will be auto-magically detected and drivers installed for them upon boot-up. Presuming one has CD/DVD media handy with the distribution packages or has an internet connection to the distribution repositories it could not be simpler than this.