[mythtv-users] Why Free Software has poor usability ?

jedi jedi at mishnet.org
Fri Aug 8 02:12:55 UTC 2008


On Thu, Aug 07, 2008 at 08:59:54PM -0400, Raphael wrote:
> jedi wrote:
> > On Thu, Aug 07, 2008 at 11:23:05AM -0400, Coin_Graham at genpt.com wrote:
> >> mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org wrote on 08/07/2008 09:06:14 AM:
> >>
> >>> [image removed]
> >>>
> >>> Re: [mythtv-users] Why Free Software has poor usability ?
> >>>
> >>> John Drescher
> >>>
> >>> to:
> >>>
> >>> Discussion about mythtv
> >>>
> >>> 08/07/2008 09:06 AM
> >>>
> >>> Sent by:
> >>>
> >>> mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> >>>
> >>> Please respond to Discussion about mythtv
> >>>
> >>> On Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 8:53 AM, Mike Perkins
> >>> <mikep at randomtraveller.org.uk> wrote:
> >>>> David Brodbeck wrote:
> >>>>> Raphael wrote:
> > [deletia]
> >> Since we are holding M$ up as the standard of usability.  This Christmas I
> >> got a copy of Vista and a "Vista Compatible" video card.  The 2 didn't work
> >> together at all.  I'm sure I could've called M$ for $100/hr and they would
> >> gladly tell me it wasn't Vista's fault.  I spent hours troubleshooting just
> >> to eventually downgrade to XP.  Plugged the Video Card in and it worked
> >> fine.
> >>
> >> I can tell you from years of working in Support, QA, etc. that software
> >> companies are concerned with making money.  If the number of users effected
> >> by a bug is less than the relative cost of fixing said bug, it will wait
> >> till the next cycle (if at all).
> > 
> > The first rule about Tech Support, is you don't talk about Tech Support.
> > 
> > The second rule about Tech Support, is you don't talk about Tech Support.
> > 
> >> I'm going to put the usability of MythTV to the test.  I'm somewhat
> >> familiar with linux but a power user by no means.  I'm looking to have a
> >> backend/frontend system in the USA on Comcast cable.  I'd like to put
> >> together the simplest system possible.  I'm still working on the hardware,
> >> but I'm going to use Mythbuntu for the software.  The goal is to be able to
> >> watch and record SD and HD content.  That's it.
> >>
> >> I'll post my experience as a typical noob user.
> > 
> > HD will be a problem. You will have to downscale it into something that's
> > not an encrypted transport stream. The HD-PVR is promising but that's by
> > no means an option for the uninitiated yet.
> > 
> > I need to do some more testing on mine. I have an entirely separate backend
> > setup for the purpose so I don't bring down my main one.
> > 
> > Once you get the family hooked on Myth they get surly when it's down.
> > _______________________________________________
> > mythtv-users mailing list
> > mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> > http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> > 
> 
> 
> Surely he can start out with a digital tuner and get a few HD channels 
> in clear QAM, directly from the wall (bypassing cable box), can't he? 
> Recording unencrypted digital channels is no more difficult than SD in 
> that case.

That is entirely up to the local cable operator. The locals are supposed
to be in the clear but that's not something he can depend on.

An HDHomeRun is also an option.


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