The new distribution type

With Linux, there have always been power-user distributions. The ones where the user relinquishes no control to the operating system - where the user has the say on EVERYTHING. But then the user needs to have a lot of knowledge in order to drive the operating system. Examples of these would be Arch Linux, Slackware and Gentoo.

Then there's the user-friendly distributions. The operating system assists the user, but still never gets in the way of what the user wants to do. Or, hopefully not. Examples of these would be Mandriva, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS etc.

But now we're seeing a new sort of distribution emerge. These haven't yet been named or even really identified, but they are designed for people who can barely use a computer. The operating system protects itself and the user from the user's mistakes. Such mistakes could include moving the panels, getting rid of your own permissions, or "storing" items in the trash can. Examples of these sort of distributions would be gOS and the EeePC's version of Xandros. Both operating systems present the user with a limit set of things that they can do, don't talk jargon and don't present the user with too many paradymes that could be misinterpreted.

With the number of cheap computers being made and sold with Linux now, and the fact that most people are still barely computer-literate (INCLUDING school children, which is very concerning!), I figure we've got a market for distributions like this third group.

I've decided to start my own distribution again. This time, it won't run on PowerPC :-)  But it will be easy for the people who I work with (including one who hasn't quite worked out "minimising", and another who thought all the data on a computer was stored inside the monitor) to use for their basic tasks, without being able to break it. It will also be easy for me, or anyone else, to remotely administer (or administer in-person). The user will still be able to add new programs, but only from an approved list.

We're talking basic, locked-down. But the applications on Linux are often home to jargon-filled error messages that are great for an experienced user to work out the problem, but not so good for someone who is likely to get scared by them. So if I have time, I could possibly modify error message strings in the programs to be friendlier.

We're also likely talking about automated error reports to the "administrator" of the computer - usually the friend or family member who has set up the computer for their Gran or their friend. We're also talking about direct IM connection to the administrator, available at the touch of a button.

We're talking about Touch Linux.