Re:Tell HN: My horror story as a student dealing with my Uni...
by llimllib on Sunday March 29, 2009 @12:25AM
(#537105)
> Also, if you are a cs major you can probably figure out how to 'startx gnome'
Don't imagine yourself at a computer, think about the marginal user. That is, the kid who could be a good CS student but doesn't do it because the first class' experience is extremely frustrating not due to programming, but due to stupid computer admin shit.
The argument is that the unnecessary complexity and intentional backwardness of the computer labs is pushing away marginal CS students, not that it's a system that's impossible for anyone to figure out.
While its not ideal, I thought the cs computer lab was fine. It's not meant to replace your main computer, as a CS major you should probably have your own computer. Its meant more as a place to hang out and work on class projects together and for that I think it does fine.
Also, if you are a cs major you can probably figure out how to 'startx gnome'
Also, for many research groups they have their own computer labs that are not restricted like the main cs lab. I know at least that in the robotics lab they gave out root passwords to their ubuntu machines and you could pretty much do as you like.