On Fri, Jan 24, 2003 at 06:24:17PM -0500, Christopher Faylor wrote:
> On Fri, Jan 24, 2003 at 03:09:43PM -0800, Rafael Kitover wrote:
> >>Really? Or would it simply delay them learning the knowledge to
> >>function in an environment that does not make specific allowances for
> >>them?
> >
> >Well, the goal would be for new cygwin users, who often have little
> >knowledge of UNIX, to have more space to get comfortable in learning
> >the environment.
>
> I would challenge the assertion that new cygwin users often have little
> knowledge of UNIX. Vocal people on this mailing list do make this
> assertion from time to time but there is no hard data to support that
> claim.
>
> In absence of hard data, I am (perhaps naively) sticking with the
> assumption that the core goal for the project of providing UNIX
> emulation for Windows for people who want UNIX tools, is still valid.
>
> I guess it's remotely possible that someone would want UNIX tools
> because they're interested in UNIX but don't know anything about it. If
> that is the case, then (as I think has already been mentioned) offering
> them Windows commands or, especially, paths doesn't sound like it would
> be doing them any favors.
I teach unix intro/shell intro classes. In nearly everyone the subject
comes up "{how can I/I wish I could} work on this at home". Cygwin is
always one of my answers.
I agree it would do them a disservice to provide cmd equivalents and
would only add to their confusion.
Although in class, I show capabilities like 'alias dir=ls' to new
unix users, I recommend against it in the next breath. It is better
to learn/immerse yourself in the language or system you are using.
--
Jon H. LaBadie [EMAIL PROTECTED]
JG Computing
4455 Province Line Road (609) 252-0159
Princeton, NJ 08540-4322 (609) 683-7220 (fax)
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