Hope you have a great day!What are the best Linux distros for beginners?

[neutrino]

I’ve been a Windows user ever since I started using a computer, but of late I’ve been curious to know how it feels to use Linux. Though I’m interested in tech-topics, I’m nowhere near being a computer-wiz. I’ve been reading some material on the net about installing and using Linux. I gather that I need to partition the hard drive for a dual boot system. I’ve never done this before, so I will need help. Before I proceed further, here’s some info about my comp :

Windows XP Pro SP2
Intel p4 1.7Ghz
256MB RAM (it’s listed as 224)
~60GB Hard disk space (It was just a few months ago that 40GB were added and I have two drives completely empty totalling to ~ 37-38GB. Actually, one has a 78 MB file, but I can shift that elsewhere. Although it each is supposed to be 20, it’s listed as a GB or so less.)

Almost every application that I use is free and/or open source, or requires a Windows emulator, except the media players, so I will not face the problem of finding alternatives. I must also mention that my copy of Windows is not legal (and I don’t have the CD either). That’s one reason that I want to try out Linux.

Seeing that there are many here who use Linux, I’d like some advice on which “distro” to use – I’m just your average computer user; I don’t do any programming (I may do simple stuff in the future, but nothing now), don’t host websites or anything of that sort. I would prefer to download a copy of Linux off the internet.

So what precautions do I take before I start, and would you at all recommend Linux to someone like me?

 

[GluonZ]

Well, if you want to avoid partitioning, as it is your first time using Linux and you may or may not like it - I would suggest either ordering a LiveCD (it's free, you don't even pay shipping and handling for many distros) or burning the distro to a CD. The latter would give you the same result, albeit much quicker if you have the capabilites to burn something to a CD.

Ubuntu has generally emerged as a good choice for first time Windows-to-Linux switchers, although many other distros will suffice. Google around and read descriptions of certian distros and pick the one of your choice.

https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ - Link for having a Ubuntu LiveCD shipped to your door absolutely free.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download - As long as you have the ability to burn CD's on your computer you can do it this way so you can avoid the 4-6 week wait for the shipping option.

The main reason I linked to Ubuntu is solely because I was doing some Ubuntu-related, I would recommend reading descriptions of many distros to see which one you feel would fit you best.

If you don't want to wait for the shipping and don't have the ability to burn it to a CD, I could probably help you with partitioning, although Google (or others on the forum) will provide an answer much quicker as I won't be around for a few days after today.

 

[Ronnin]

I like Mandriva http://www.mandriva.com/download just because it's so easy to get up and running right out of the box. I have a apache/tomcat server running on mine at home and it was fairly simple to deploy. I don't do anything major on it but play around. It is also RPM based so installing new software isn't too bad either.

 

[neutrino]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions and links, guys. I have a CD burner, so I think downloading will be the better option. I think I'll spend a day or two checking out the various distros available.

 

[octelcogopod]

OK. You can separate usually into two categories; advanced and beginner distros..

Advanced distros include Gentoo (gentoo.org), Debian(debian.net) and Slackware(slackware.com)..

Popular beginner distros include Ubuntu, Debian and Fedora..

I would choose Ubuntu, and then when you are ready change to Gentoo.

 

[GluonZ]

I would choose Ubuntu, and then when you are ready change to Gentoo.

Agreed.

Although, I do personally love Fedora Core 5 as a beginner distro. Mandriva is great as well.

 

[fargoth]

eh, I've got something against gentoo, it's a system who's purpose in life is to be the bleeding edge - meaning constantly upgrade.
while this would'nt be such a big problem with other distros, who use normal package management (like apt or even RPM), gentoo insists on compiling the package... so 90% of the time the computer is working on it's operating system's compilation...

and i don't think you gain much from choosing your own flags, and compiling yourself...


for beginners, and for those who don't want to costumize every bit of their computer - ubuntu is fine.
if you got too much spare time, and a fast processor with nothing to throw at, gentoo is the choice for you.
debian has nice text tools for costumizing and it uses apt - so installing apps is fast and easy (i preffer apt over RPM, though the last time i used RPM was in 2003, so it might have improved).
and i hear slack is not bad for costumizing either...

back on topic:
i'd suggest a distro which uses gnome for a windows user.
it has one good app for every need (unlike KDE, which has atleast ten apps with slightly different options),
it's less confusing.
(and it crashes less in my opinion)

you could also try xfce, it runs faster, and it looks nice...
and enlightenment is shaping quite nicely... there's a script that builds the CVS (when it isn't broken), i could find it for you if you wish.

just remember - don't be afraid to break things... you learn from your mistakes more then from the things you do right. (and it'll be smart to back-up everything before you go and break it )

 

[chroot]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet... but you should first, before you do anything else, download a copy of the Knoppix LiveCD. It's a Linux distribution that runs off a CD, and requires no installation at all.

This way, you can play with Linux a bit and learn some of its features without having to actually go through the effort of modifying your hard drive.

- Warren

 

[fargoth]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet... but you should first, before you do anything else, download a copy of the Knoppix LiveCD. It's a Linux distribution that runs off a CD, and requires no installation at all.

This way, you can play with Linux a bit and learn some of its features without having to actually go through the effort of modifying your hard drive.

- Warren

well, actually, GlounZ already said it:

Well, if you want to avoid partitioning, as it is your first time using Linux and you may or may not like it - I would suggest either ordering a LiveCD (it's free, you don't even pay shipping and handling for many distros) or burning the distro to a CD.

but he suggested he'd use ubuntu and not knoppix.
ubuntu 6.06 is a liveCD that can be installed to the HD, but can be explored with no installation.

there are several other distros with liveCDs, I've tried only knoppix and ubuntu so far, and i like ubuntu better... but that's just me.

 

[neutrino]

It's good that you brought these up...

i'd suggest a distro which uses gnome for a windows user.
it has one good app for every need (unlike KDE, which has atleast ten apps with slightly different options),
it's less confusing.
(and it crashes less in my opinion)

I was going through the articles on Ubuntu and came across the different versions, K/X/Ed-ubuntu. I was wondering if there are any differences between Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Is it just the looks (of which I prefer Kubuntu's), or something more?

just remember - don't be afraid to break things... you learn from your mistakes more then from the things you do right. (and it'll be smart to back-up everything before you go and break it )

Yes, backing up files is important, but even in the case of using a LiveCD? I hope the chances of losing Windows files are very less.

Some more questions...

INTERNET: Can I use the internet from a LiveCD? I may need to configure the modem.

If I can, then there's no need for this question, but I'll ask anyway : If I'm not able to connect to the internet, I need to download the Linux versions of the apps. (through Windows) and store it on a CD. But then how do I
go about installing them on Linux (I have just one CD drive)?

And if I get to install them, will one CD (700MB) hold all the stuff. If I'm not mistaken, the Ubuntu file was about 650MB.

 

[Daverz]

Regular Ubuntu uses GNOME by default, and Kubuntu uses KDE. The desktops don't just look different, they also behave a bit differently (though you can use the same apps under either).

Yes, you can use the internet from the live Ubuntu CD, but I have no idea how it handles modems, I haven't used one in years. That was always painful in Linux, and if it's not a real hardware modem, but a winmodem (very likely, I'm afraid), forget it. (I assume we're talking about a telephone modem; a cable modem should not need configuring).

 

[fargoth]

you should be able to connect to the internet with a livecd - and if you can't there's a good chance you won't be able with the installed version.

if its a modem which connects to an ethernet card, or usb, most chances are it'll work.
but if its a pci modem, most chances are it won't...

anyway, you should make sure you know exactly how you connect to the net - you may need to create a dialer, there are scripts that would make it easy.

linux can read/write on fat32 (win 9x drives) and read NTFS (NT file system, used in winXP) though writing on it gets better, and in the near future most distros would do it out of the box).

so you don't have to burn the apps you download, just save them on the windows hard drive, and get them from there once you are running the livecd.


as for KDE, gnome, xfce etc.
i like gnome the most, but that's a matter of taste, try as many alternatives as you can (for more then a week, so you'd be comfortable with it, and know lots of features) - and decide for yourself.

oh, and don't worry, using livecd is pretty safe, you won't destroy you win files.
what i said is a general advice on computer using =)

 

[neutrino]

Very helpful stuff. Thanks. I had to add an ethernet card before I could install the modem (btw, it says ADSL MODEM on it), so if what you're saying is correct, I shouldn't be having probs connecting to the 'net.

I've been reading some reviews of the latest update, which, incidentally, was released yesterday, and everyone had only good things to say about Ubuntu. I think I'll download Kubuntu tonight.

Thanks again for the help, everyone.

 

[star.torturer]

ive just ordered a live CD, after curing a registry bug of windows by using it, lol that was a good day. i can't wait to use it, it seems so good

 

[GluonZ]

With a DSL modem it should connect to the Internet with no problems at all.

Also, the only difference is between Ubuntu and Kubuntu is the former uses the GNOME interface, and the latter uses the KDE interface. Pick depending on your personal preference.

A LiveCD shouldn't effect your Windows installation in any way.

 

[star.torturer]

oh but it did, i asure you, afterwards it workd fine, after trying to fix it with the install disk, it crashed again and again, so i tried the live disk and it worked after restarting into windos

 

[neutrino]

Hey, I'm back!

I have successfully downloaded the iso file, burned it to a CD, and run a few sessions of Kubuntu (it took some googling to find out what it means to "boot from the CD" ). It does take quite some time to load. Some of the apps. open very quickly, while the Open Office Word Processor was slow. It will definitely take me a few weeks to get familiar with all the programs that are available, but mostly everything is intuitive.

Regarding internet, I checked the Network Settings, and my ethernet card was detected, my IP was there, and everything was enabled; but I couldn't access any site (Though I have a connection that is technically broadband, I have to go through a dial-up process (In Windows), but it takes less than a second to connect). There has been some problems on the ISP's side today. So, I'll try to get online once more from Kubuntu.

P.S. Kit kreally kbugs kme kthat kthey khave kto khave ka K kin kthe kname kof kevery kapplication.

 

[star.torturer]

openoffice is slow anyway

 

[neutrino]

Haven't used it before.

 

[fargoth]

you probably use PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) to connect, its the standard in DSL and ADSL connections...

just look for a PPPoE dialer.

oh, about the slowness... it gets much faster if you install it on your HD.

 

[neutrino]

Hi,
The problem was actually with the ISP - the server was down. I typed stuff into the terminal and connected to the 'net. So...Yay!

Btw, would you know why the screen appears smaller than usual (sometimes)? It's not the resolution, but the whole desktop does not seem to fill the screen. I don't think the screen size has to adjusted, because Windows appears normal.

 

[fargoth]

open terminal(Applications->Accessories->Terminal), run xvidtune (type: "xvidtune"), adjust the screen and hit Show-button. You'll see a line with something like this on the terminal screen:

"1280x1024" 157.50 1280 1332 1492 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync

Next you should:

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

In Monitor section, add the above line with a prefix "Modeline", like this:

Modeline "1280x1024" 157.50 1280 1332 1492 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync

 

[Jeff Ford]

If I switch to Linux will I still be able to use Microsoft applications? Are there versions of things like Word and Excel that run in Linux?

 

[chroot]

You cannot run Windows applications on Linux -- at least, not directly. There are some emulator environments (Wine, Mono), as well as virtual machines (like VMWare) which can help you in the very rare instance that you would actually need to run a Windows app.

In general, any application you like in Windows has an equivalent app on Linux.

There are a number of complete "office" packages for Linux, most of which are compatible with Microsoft formats. Look into, for example, Open Office.

- Warren

 

[jCarlson]

If I switch to Linux will I still be able to use Microsoft applications? Are there versions of things like Word and Excel that run in Linux?

To the first question, the simple answer is no. Programs that run on Windows generally do not run on Linux because they are different operating systems. Likewise programs for Linux don't work on Windows.

However, you can get around this quite easily by installing an Windows emulator, such as Wine.

Wikipedia Entry for Wine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_%28software%29"

Or, you can do what I did and have both Windows and Linux installed on your computer at the same time, and use dual boot. With dual boot, when you start your computer you can choose whether you want to use Windows or Linux.

For you second question, yes, there are programs like Word and Excel for Linux. You can google search for some. I use OpenOffice, which is the equivilant of Microsoft Office but for multi-platforms.

EDIT: drats chroot posted while I was still typing my message

 

[star.torturer]

can you play games on Linux easily?

 

[Dr Transport]

Absolutely, I am currently running FedoraCore 3, it has about 30 games installed.

 

[Jeff Ford]

It sounds like the best option is to run both for awhile, then make the switch once I'm completely comfortable with Linux

 

[fargoth]

hmm... i think using linux exclusively will make it easier for you to get used to it...

using both will just make you jump back to windows once you got stuck with linux instead of solving whatever problem you got in linux.

the installation process of some distributions (like ubuntu or mandriva) is easier then windows's installation process, and getting used to the basics of gnome is very easy and intuitive.

but if you have a certain game you want to play, you'd have to check if it has a linux version, and if you can get it for free because you already bought the windows version.
and if you highly depend on office documents, check if open office can read right.

 

[neutrino]

Just an update on my initiation into the world of Linux - I've been visiting the Ubuntu Forums (UF ) while PF was down. It's a pretty busy place, and I've been lurking around the 'Absolute Beginner' section. Hopefully, I should have a dual boot system (that works properly) within this week.

 

[star.torturer]

Can you get a program that plays windows games free, and without hastel, i don't want to get a load of new games just so i can use linux

 

[chroot]

What kind of games? In general, no, there is no easy way to play games which use, for example, DirectX, a Microsoft technology.

- Warren

 

[star.torturer]

dam then il have to have windows

beter install Linux on my Laptop and Windows on my PC

SimCity4
Call of Duty +2
Empire Earth

thanks anyway

 

[neutrino]

HELP!

I've finally decided to go with Kubuntu, because it is faster from the LiveCD than Ubuntu, although I like the simple layout, and K-less names of Ubuntu. Also, the Ubuntu graphical installer just freezes when it comes to the most important step - partitioning. Kubuntu gives me the details in just over a minute.

Okay here are the options that are available...

/dev/hda: IDE1 Master(hda) - 20.4 GB QUANTUM FIREBALLlct15 20
/dev/hdb: IDE1 Slave(hdb) - 40.0 GB ST340015A

...these and the one to manually to do the resizing.

The 20 Gig hard disc contains the C drive of XP (along with D and E), while the second one is split into two drives, F and G, taking up 20GB (approx.) each. I've nothing to lose in either of these drives. So, should I just let Kubuntu automatically resize it, i.e. the second one? I don't want more than 15-20GB for Linux. The option to manually partition confuses me, with all the hda, hdb2, etc. I have a back up of the necessary files.

Sorry for the complete super-newbie-type of questions. I've never partitioned before, and I want this installation to be as smooth as possible. So any help would be appreciated.

 

[chroot]

/dev/hda and /dev/hdb are just the names Linux uses to refer to the master and slave drives on the first IDE bus.

/dev/hda1, /dev/hda2, etc. are the first and and second partitions on the master drive on the first IDE bus, and so on.

The easiest approach might be to simply delete the partition containing either your F: or G: Windows filesystems, and installing in that free space. You may have to use the Windows Disk Management tool to figure out which physical partitions correspond to F: and G: before deleting either.

- Warren

 

[neutrino]

The easiest approach might be to simply delete the partition containing either your F: or G: Windows filesystems, and installing in that free space. You may have to use the Windows Disk Management tool to figure out which physical partitions correspond to F: and G: before deleting either.

G:(FAT 32) is completely empty. So, to use that space, should I just select 'Delete logical drive' from the Windows Disk Management Tool?

 

[chroot]

Yep, that'd be fine. Delete the partition under Windows, and then use the Linux installer to partition that free space in the usual manner.

- Warren

 

[neutrino]

Thanks a bunch, Warren!

 

[neutrino]

THANK YOU!

Thanks to everybody who has contributed to this thread. I'm now posting from an installed version of Kubuntu on my computer.

I gave Ubuntu one last try, but it was just too slow. It took me nearly half an hour to get to the installing part (actually, I never got there) after which the computer froze. On the other hand, Kubuntu was super fast, so fast that you need to use the Lorentz transformations. Everything was done in just under 20 minutes! During the boot, I could see XP listed in the list on OS's.

I'm now posting from Conqueror (sorry, Konqueror), but I'll be moving to Firefox tomorrow.

Once again, thanks!

 

[junglepeanut]

I know this thread has probably died, but I just thought I would point of if you would like neutrino, you should install xfce.

Your specs are not well suited for ubuntu or kubuntu, but Xubuntu should work much faster. (Plus if you just install the necessary packages you can retain the apps you like from kde. Keep in mind xfce and gnome seem to put most things that go together in the same place, but kde has a different idea about where things belong...)

Just making this comment to see if you can enjoy some more productivity. As I have 512mb and gnome and kde are felt on my computer compared to xfce. If you really like that and don't mind minimal you can always switch to icewm or fluxbox or something of that nature.

 

[Milo Hobgoblin]

Just stick with Windows. It will save you a ton of headaches and you won't be using an operating system for the sake of the operating system.

You shouldn't have to think about your OS... and that whole whopping 100 dollars to get XP is a drop in the bucket considering how much you do get for free and how wide the support base is.

Oh and for guys that tell you Linux doesn't crash. They are liars. ALL Operating Systems crash, its just a matter of when.

Eventually some poorly written app will find that one register that shouldn't be written too and kaboom. And I can promise you that with so many apps for Linux written by hobbyists.. it happens.

As far as Spyware, Viruses... I can promise you that if Linux had the user and application base approaching even 25% of what Windows does.. you'd see Virus and Spyware popping up like Herpes on Jenna Jameson.

As far as gaming.. not even a question to stick with XP.

Maybe.. just maybe in another 5 or ten years.. some decent distro will climb out above the rest and gain the desktop support required for widespread enterprise use... then.. we'll see.

But until then. Just stick with Windows. Build youself a nice solid PC, install XP and you apps, some good system protection and you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Anttech]

You shouldn't have to think about your OS... and that whole whopping 100 dollars to get XP is a drop in the bucket considering how much you do get for free and how wide the support base is.

What do you get for free? The stuff you had to pay for?

Oh and for guys that tell you Linux doesn't crash. They are liars. ALL Operating Systems crash, its just a matter of when.

Eventually some poorly written app will find that one register that shouldn't be written too and kaboom. And I can promise you that with so many apps for Linux written by hobbyists.. it happens.

Linux is based on Unix, Unix doesn't have a registry and neither does Linux. Since when would a wintel application need to write to the registery anyway apart from on install, or after a reconfigure? Do you even know how the architecture of the Operating System you are trying to defend works?

As far as Spyware, Viruses... I can promise you that if Linux had the user and application base approaching even 25% of what Windows does.. you'd see Virus and Spyware popping up like Herpes on Jenna Jameson.

Whats your point? Did it ever occur to you that people who write viruses are doing so to get at MicroSoft, not the end users?

It is very apparent you have no clue what you are talking about.

 

[Milo Hobgoblin]

Linux is based on Unix, Unix doesn't have a registry and neither does Linux

LOL you goof. I knew someone would mistake what i said. I said REGISTER not KEY. I won't explain the difference.

What do you get for free? The stuff you had to pay for?

Service packs, patches, etc.. yes Linux offers them for free in the form of kernal upgrades and such.. can't argue either way.

As far as Spyware, Viruses... I can promise you that if Linux had the user and application base approaching even 25% of what Windows does.. you'd see Virus and Spyware popping up like Herpes on Jenna Jameson.

Whats your point? Did it ever occur to you that people who write viruses are doing so to get at MicroSoft, not the end users?

It is very apparent you have no clue what you are talking about.

ya it did occur to me.. but I don't completely agree. There are a lot of hackers out there who just hate people and write viruses for the simple purpose of destroying end user experience.

As far as my computer knowledge.. I am not the one confusing registry keys.. which I know Unix/ Linux doesn't have.. with Memory Registers.. something every piece of code in the universe relies upon.

At least I am not so blinded by my dogma I just jump at the chance to bash anyone with an opposing opinion.

I know MS products have problems ALL os's have problems. Walk into ANY computer store and you can see the inherent problems with Linux.. set it up for your grandma.. you'll see the problems. Set it up for a highly shrinkwrapped desktop environment.. you'll see the problems.

They both have their places... for general purpose desktop use.. XP wins hands down.

 

[Anttech]

As far as my computer knowledge.. I am not the one confusing registry keys.. which I know Unix/ Linux doesn't have.. with Memory Registers.. something every piece of code in the universe relies upon.

Neither am I. I can only read and consequently understand what you write, and indeed you wrote "register."
You certainly didnt write memory register.
On top of this no Langauge I know of (High level) would you ever need to define memory registers so to assert

Eventually some poorly written app will find that one register that shouldn't be written too and kaboom

Is null because its the 'enviorment' that takes care of that not the application code, in most cases, and would make one think you were talking about Registery Key, not memory

For example, from MSDN, so you feel at home:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/1100/gci/

Garbage collection in the Microsoft .NET common language runtime environment completely absolves the developer from tracking memory usage and knowing when to free memory.

I can't think of a High level language where you actually have to track memory usage, can you?

 

[Milo Hobgoblin]

Is null because its the 'enviorment' that takes care of that not the application code, in most cases, and would make one think you were talking about Registery Key, not memory

No OS memory manager (the magical "environment" you speak of) is a perfect beast, Linux, Unix or XP. Many times poorly written applications make bad calls... bad pointers.. bad compilers.. or just slop. Hell even well written applications can make bad calls.. it happens and the more you throw at a memory manager the more likely it is to happen.

and I've never heard of anyone refer to registry keys as "registers".. so I don't know where you got that. And I work in a large multi OS enterprise environment.

As far as manipulation of specific addresses.. no you are right that no high level language requires direct control.. and that's part of the problem. The vast majoryt of Linux/Unix was written in C and Xp in C/C++ with both having very small parts written in assembly (boot loaders etc..)

Because the developer doesn't control those aspects leaving them up to the compiler.. it leaves even more to the memory manager.. sort of throwing the dice. (which your article eludes too)

We can argue all day about the stabilty of the MS manager vs. the Unix manager.. but I will always be the first to say.. When Linux/Unix can run and has developed for it, the vast array of apps.. both serious and frivolous.. contending with the countless styles of programming.. calls. etc... you would see it just as prone to crash.

and I don't feel "at home" with MS. I see it as a tool, yes a tool that has problems. But as far as flipping the switch and doing multi purpose work and entertainment Ill take it over Linux and especially Unix any day. Face it./. PCs in this day and age are used just as much.. if not more for entertainment than ever. And EVERY OS needs to live up to that expectation.

You seem to take this OS garbage personally? I don't get it. Hell if I was running a web server you can bet Id use some Unix flavor over MS.. and I defend its stability just as wholeheartedly.

I can't think of a High level language where you actually have to track memory usage, can you?

Have to? No.. Can? Yes. HLA

Good article BTW.

 

[Anttech]

No OS memory manager (the magical "environment" you speak of) is a perfect beast, Linux, Unix or XP. Many times poorly written applications make bad calls... bad pointers.. bad compilers.. or just slop. Hell even well written applications can make bad calls.. it happens and the more you throw at a memory manager the more likely it is to happen.

Point taken, however I hope you can now "see" why I presumed (wrongly) you were talking about the registery not the memory register.

and I've never heard of anyone refer to registry keys as "registers".. so I don't know where you got that. And I work in a large multi OS enterprise environment.

Me too, and a finacial one at that, and I have. Numerous times :)

You seem to take this OS garbage personally? I don't get it. Hell if I was running a web server you can bet Id use some Unix flavor over MS.. and I defend its stability just as wholeheartedly.

No, not taken personally. I just didnt aggree with your take.

and I don't feel "at home" with MS. I see it as a tool, yes a tool that has problems. But as far as flipping the switch and doing multi purpose work and entertainment Ill take it over Linux and especially Unix any day. Face it./. PCs in this day and age are used just as much.. if not more for entertainment than ever. And EVERY OS needs to live up to that expectation.

No that's just not true, in the business world we don't need to play games on our network applications, servers, and/or PC's. However I understand what you are trying to say, and the target audience of your quip. On that note, anyway it truly depends what you think of as entertainment.

Anyway -- I am not a Zelot when it comes to Operating Systems, and I am no Hack when it comes to Programming either. I am a Network Engineer, and prefer my *nix driven Mac and my Linux box over my Windows box any day ;) But I don't play games...

 

[Milo Hobgoblin]

heh

Point taken, however I hope you can now "see" why I presumed (wrongly) you were talking about the registery not the memory register.

Quote:
and I've never heard of anyone refer to registry keys as "registers".. so I don't know where you got that. And I work in a large multi OS enterprise environment.

Me too, and a finacial one at that, and I have. Numerous times :)

I have heard horror stories from our desktop techs who support the energy traders.. I can only imagine supporting a pure financial environment must be rough. Probably hear all kinds of weird crap. I actually create all the OS builds for a large utility company where we support ~500 applications, many written in house. LOL Some are STILL 16 bit so you can only imagine the wringer we put MS memory managers through.

We have a great lab where we test all the application and build custom packages to increase stability and start the distribution process. I can't put into workds just how bad some of these apps are.. hell even some of the shrinkwrapped stuff would blow your mind.. trying to build a multi user distribution of Winzip and Acrobat that was backward compatible and removed any previous version. MUWHAHAH man those guys were in hell.

Our OS builds are extremely stable though, I use manufacturers drivers (never vendor drivers if given the choice) and I modify the driver files to support as many platforms of a given generation as possible. We never use Vendor Utilites (like that Dell or IBm crap running in the background on many PC's)

You would be amazed at how often people think their Windows has a problem we come to find out its the Dell/IBM "Power/Helpful TooltipGuy/Config/printer buddy" crap the vendor installed. those apps are the bane of any enterprise environment. Fortunately for you.. most vendors won't even bother publishing that crap for their Linux/Unix boxes.. they know the user base would eat them alive.

We have a very good uptime for out desktop environment.. so many of these apps have no Linux/Unix counterpart and I am not even sure you could shell them in some emulator. I can't imagine the havoc it would wreak on a Linux box. heck a bunch of these were ported from OS2! that would choke any OS.

I guess stuff like this keeps un in jobs though eh. Maybe the perfect OS wouldn't be so good for us afterall. We survive because of slop LOL.