SourceForge: Abstracting the Linux Desktop from the File-system

“One of the most intimidating things to new users about Linux is
the layout of the file-system. Users who are learning to hack Linux
have to just clench their teeth and learn their way around, but
what about a user who just wants to send e-mails, browse the web
and type up a few documents? ie. ninety-something percent of
computer users. Do they need to know the difference between /var,
/usr and /tmp to send an e-mail? Do they need to know that their
home directory is in /home/{username}? Do they need to know that
their cdrom is mounted in /mnt?

“Do you ever hear complaints from OsX users about the OsX
file-system? Is the OsX file-system any more intuitive than the
Linux one? Do you even know anything about the OsX file-system?
Will you ever know anything about the OsX file-system? Probably
not. Microsoft have added the My Documents Folder to Windows…
Apple have abstracted the desktop from the file-system in OsX…
Which OS is acclaimed for being intuitive and easy to use?

“Advanced users might want to install some software that they’ve
downloaded from the net, do some website development, maybe even
some software development. But when you think about it, the
majority of desktop computing tasks, whether simple or advanced,
can be performed without any mention of /usr, /var or /home. I’m
not saying it’s not good for people to learn about how Linux works
under the hood. I’m saying that they should have to make a
conscious decision and go look under the hood if they want to
learn. There should not be bits of engine sticking out of the dash
of the car. I.e, there should be a clear line drawn between the
desktop and the file-system…”

Complete
Story