On Thu, 31 Jan 2002, Sam Ewalt wrote: > On Thu, 31 Jan 2002 19:34:55 +0000, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > All the complaints I hear about "unfriendly" Linux relate to > > installation and configuration. These are side issues, unrelated > > to the everyday user who buys a new computer with pre-configured > > GUI operating system and pre-installed software. In this context > > Linux can be just as user-friendly as Windows. > > > Well, it * could* be, but it isn't. The everyday user cannot go > into their local computer store and buy a new computer with Linux > pre-configured and installed. It can't be done.
You can certainly do it by mail order. We ordered my wife's P-200 notebook with RH 7.1 preinstalled. http://affordablecomputers.com/ I see they even have a Penguin logo on their home page now. > Maybe you could > get it done if you knew what to ask for and really insisted. But > it would be difficult to find someone to setup a Linux system for > you unless you knew at least *something* about it already. Not really. When she ordered it, they asked if she wanted Windows. She said no, she wanted Linux. They said they could install RH 7.1 or Mandrake 8.1. She said Red Hat please. They ran into problems with getting the combo modem/eth card working, so gave us the choice of two cards instead (at an additional $30). A dedicated modem, and a dedicated ethernet card. Did it take longer? Yes. Did it cost a bit more? Yes, but she got what she wanted.... and spent not one single moment worrying about installation or configuration. (until her husband insisted on improving things for her... ;-) - Steve
