Operating systems

[Ted]

Hi,
Any Linux users here? just wondering what distros you use. I've run Mandrake/Mandriva for several years now (no windows here) and before that it was Suse and Fedora Core/Redhat.
Got 2008 installed at the moment, awesome OS.

Ted

[Ted]

OK its just me then!!
I'll go and sit in the corner and cry for a bit

[Rik]

I wasn't ignoring you, just couldn't say anything useful (regulars would not have noticed anything unusual ). We have had Linux users around in the past, but I can't think of any active members off the top of my head.

[Simon]

Without wishing to self promote, PC Pals has a Linux section and we do have a handful of members who use it.  If you're desperate for company, you might want to click the link in my sig. 

[Ted]

might have a look over there and see whats happening.
I must say i find it amazing that people don't at least dual boot Linux and Windows. Get the best of both and a lot less hassle.

[drummer]

I've been messing about with Ubuntu for about a month now after auditioning about six different flavours via Live CDs.

Although I'm impressed, the command line is starting to grind me down a bit but it's early days yet.

[Kheldar]

lino - yes we have some of that in the kitchen, might replace it soon actually.....

hang on, you what....Linux ?

whats that then ? a new form of super lino ?

I wasn't ignoring you, just couldn't say anything useful (regulars would not have noticed anything unusual ).

* Kheldar joining Rik's club 

[Rik]

* Kheldar joining Rik's club 

We are an elite.

[Odos]

I'm just starting to move over to PC Linux OS. I tried a number of different Distros and this was the only one that didn't screw up my hardware ( mainly HD partitions ). Been playing with it for a few months and must say I like it but there are a few things that you cannot do and others that are much harder to do in Linux than in windoze.

Not that windoze is all roses either, hence I have 3 flavours of that installed as well. Think it's just me being awkward 

[Rik]

Think it's just me being awkward 

I thought it was called masochism, Tony? 

[Odos]

I thought it was called masochism, Tony? 

So thats where the initials MS in MS Windows comes from  All I have to do now is find out what it means 

[Rik]

Google is your friend.

[Ted]

Going out and paying £100 or more for an OS, then finding out it won't work with the bulk of your hardware or software. Now, that's what i call masochism!!
Mind you Vista is very pretty, although you could take a look at Beryl now compiz-fision, that's cool

[Kheldar]

We are an elite.

classic game.

one of the best ever.

[Rik]

Acorn, wasn't it?

[john]

Going out and paying £100 or more for an OS, then finding out it won't work with the bulk of your hardware or software. Now, that's what i call masochism!!
Mind you Vista is very pretty, although you could take a look at Beryl now compiz-fision, that's cool

I know what you mean I paid a fiver for a Linux magazine that came with a distro of Suse Linux and that was bad enough, It installed okay but configured the machine to default to start itself rather unless I selected Windows within a few seconds. It then didn't recognize most of my hardware including at the time my Broadband Modem so I couldn't connect to the net. Although there was a download for it it still didn't work also there was no support for my Canon printer or Epson scanner. Working in IT all day developing CADDS applications I didn't want to spend the evening configuring the OS to do the things it should do out of the box so I gave up with it. I was very disappointed as I never had this much trouble when I used Sun Solaris at work but we now use Windows XP there now so it's easier to use the same OS at home too. The only other experience I've had with Linux is a version of Red Hat several years ago and athough new versions appear to be easier to install the hardware support still leaves a lot to be desired.

[cavillas]

I tried the latest Ubuntu 7.1 and was pleasantly surprised to see that all my hardware, except modem and graphics tablet, was recognized straight away.  The setup was easy and when starting up gave plenty of time to choose between Windows or Ubuntu.

I took it off though because I like the fact that Windows just works.

[Ted]

Oh dear, This seems to be turning into a Linux Vs Windows debate. There are good and bad things with both Unix based and Windows based OS's.
What i would suggest and did say earlier is to use both for what they do well.
We have 3 PC's and 2 laptops here running a mix of Win and Lin, all networked (wired and wireless) all use the same hardware, printers,routers etc. All coexist happily
Where would gamers be without Windows and where would command line geeks be without Linux,  (mild humor)
Five quid for a distro!! you were robbed. I bet the mag was a good read though so not a total waste. Tip time... download the iso from a mirror and burn it to a dvd for a few pence most dvd's carry both 32 and 64 bit versions. And with the speed increase of IDNET they'll download in no time. Woo Hoo!
Red Hat stopped producing community versions a long, long time ago so if it was just a couple of years ago it was probably Fedora core or maybe even Thread Linux (Unless you bought it). Anyway the point is things have moved on a long way in that time.
Dell now produce a laptop with Linux pre installed and if i remember correctly its Ubuntu.
Some of these newer distros are very user\hardware friendly, For example, Ubuntu, Mandriva. Having said that it will be some time before hardware compatibility catches up with Microsoft, if ever. A lot of the blame here lies at the feet of hardware and software manufacturers who refuse to write and distribute drivers and software for Linux based machines.
I've always user ethernet modems and routers, never had a problem. Some usb modems can be problematic.
My eldest daughter has superglued her dvd drive shut so i can't put linux on her machine, HEHE, whilst my youngest gets excited when a new version is released, Oh well you can't "win"em all.

[Odos]

I agree Ted, as I originally said I have Linux and 3 versions of windoze installed on the same machine so what I can't do in one I can do in another.

The compatibility issue I don't fully agree with you though. As regards hardware, yup thats down to the tardiness of the manufacturer, but software is a different matter. For example, last night I wanted to install an icon editor/manager in Linux. Found plenty no problem, installed following instructions no problem BUT they would not run, why ? because I need to download/install/reconfiigure a boat load of settings and libraries within the OS. Now that is just downright unfriendly

[Ted]

Sorry, the kind of software i was referring to was commercial stuff, i.e. Dreamweaver, Photoshop, games, that kind of thing.
What were you trying to install? were you building from source, rpm, tar file?
I find the easiest and most foolproof way to locate and install open source software is from the associated repositories, of which there are many, using the systems own installer such as yum, yast or urpmi. Most can be used from the command line or GUI and do a good job at resolving dependancy  problems.
I personally use urpmi from the command line because it gives you much more information and control over the process.
And again having said that, it can sometimes be a real pain in the backside getting things to work properly!

[mrapoc]

I think VISTA is the bestest












I tried Ubuntu on "spare rig" but after being brought up on, 95, 98, 2000, ME and XP it just doesnt work :p I like the way it was sooooo easy to install etc. just couldnt get around the interface, also windows ain t too bad if you have a student license plus keep it very slimline (www.nliteos.com)

[Ted]

Good argument that's really got me thinking i've got it all wrong. Now, where did i put that copy of 3.1 for workgroups. Hmmmmm!!

[Rik]

3.11 was better.

[Ted]

only just

[Lance]

I used both 3.1 and 3.11 but found very little differences between them at the time. I was only 7 though!