The move to Linux-Things you need to know

31

PurrBall

on Apr 22, 2005

I find Ubuntu to be practically like Fedora Core 4 test 2.

32

kona0197

on Apr 24, 2005

Meowy you spend to much time trying different distros.

33

PurrBall

on Apr 26, 2005

hehe

34

MasonM

on Apr 28, 2005

For using a NIC that you can't make work any other way in Linux, try using ndiswrapper and the Windoze driver. My Motorola wireless NIC works perfectly in both Slackware and Linux from Scratch using ndiswrapper. (I don't use windoze at all)

35

PurrBall

on Apr 28, 2005

I'm sorry that the image server I was using had an attack. I will get the post back and running ASAP.

36

Griffinme

on Jun 13, 2005

...but if I had a 64-bit machine I would choose the x86_64 option.

Depends how much you enjoy being a beta-tester and being in a multi-library funhouse.

It was cool for awhile but I am going to make the switch back to x86. I wanted to get away from Windows to avoid headaches, not give me more.

37

PurrBall

on Jun 13, 2005

Fedora Core 4 came out today. You can grab your own copy at http://fedora.redhat.com/download/.

38

PurrBall

on Jun 13, 2005

Depends how much you enjoy being a beta-tester and being in a multi-library funhouse.

It was cool for awhile but I am going to make the switch back to x86. I wanted to get away from Windows to avoid headaches, not give me more.

The x86_64 option I believe gives more speed/support for 64-bit machines. It also isnt in beta, I just think they havent completley migrated every library/package to x64 yet.

39

ZubaZ

on Jun 13, 2005

Better yet check out Ubuntu (with Gnome) Link and Kubuntu (with KDE) Link This is a very nice, user friendly linux Distro. They'll even send you a free copy, or many multiples for you to share amongst your friends.

I just built out a PC for my daughter for college. Installed KNOPPIX, then Mandrake, then Ubuntu and am now (one week into it) thinking about migrating my wife over. Very intuitive, has all the apps she'll need preinstalled.

My problem is that I can't think of a good REASON to switch her from XP pro. It never crashes, it's virus free (and protected), and does everything she wants it to do. I really shoudl see how it uses HD space and memory . . . if it runs better on the same hardware I can sell it. Otherwise, why go through the effort of migrating data.

Ideas/Reasons?

40

MasonM

on Jun 13, 2005

My problem is that I can't think of a good REASON to switch her from XP pro. It never crashes, it's virus free (and protected), and does everything she wants it to do. I really shoudl see how it uses HD space and memory . . . if it runs better on the same hardware I can sell it. Otherwise, why go through the effort of migrating data.

While I have been microsoft free for a good many years and run Linux on my machines, my honest answer to your question is, you shouldn't. If what she has is working for her, not creating any problems, financial or otherwise, why switch her?

The computer, and it's software is just a tool. If the tool is working for you, doing the job you need for it to do, why do you need a different tool to do the same job? I am NOT a fan of windows, but I am also not going to tell someone "yes! switch to Linux" just because I happen to prefer Linux. That's just dumb. IF it's working for you, use it.

41

kona0197

on Jun 13, 2005

Fedora Core 4 came out today. You can grab your own copy at Link.

No thanks. Ubuntu is far easier to use and learn - and far less bloated.

My problem is that I can't think of a good REASON to switch her from XP pro. It never crashes, it's virus free (and protected), and does everything she wants it to do. I really shoudl see how it uses HD space and memory . . . if it runs better on the same hardware I can sell it. Otherwise, why go through the effort of migrating data.

Well you could try to explain to her that Linux is immune to spyware and malware and viruses bsides the need for no defragmanting the hard drive. Start up times are faster and all the software is mostly free. And Linux uses less resources than XP.

42

tjesterb

on Jun 13, 2005

Kona, I thought you didn't have any spyware or viruses anyway?

43

PurrBall

on Jun 13, 2005

No thanks. Ubuntu is far easier to use and learn - and far less bloated.

Kona-- I HAVE tried Ubuntu, and many others, yet like Fedora the best. I have uninstalled some software (OpenOffice.org is far worse then KOffice). I think it just is a matter of personal preference.

44

MasonM

on Jun 13, 2005

I think it just is a matter of personal preference.

Bingo! While Slack has always been my primary distro of choice, I have tried/used a lot of different ones. They all have their pros and cons. Personally, I hate RPM distros. But that's just me. Others love them. Go figure

I really didn't like Ubuntu much when I tried it, but liked Mepis a lot for what it was. It's as much a personal taste thing as anything else. I say use what works for you.

45

ZubaZ

on Jun 14, 2005

Well you could try to explain to her that Linux is immune to spyware and malware and viruses bsides the need for no defragmanting the hard drive. Start up times are faster and all the software is mostly free. And Linux uses less resources than XP.

Linux is immune? I remember hearing that about Macs until a friend posted this: Link
Has Linux just not been targetted? My XP system is protected via firewall, anti-spyware, and virus scan - there's no sell there. And I already own all the software my wife needs.

The reason I used Ubuntu for my daughter was that it was new hardware (for going off to University) and I didn't want to pay for OS and software. {It also makes her feel good as a Socialist using open source apps, Sheesh!}

For a new PC, a Linux distro makes sense, I guess it doesn't for a pre-existing system.

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