I have used Linux on the desktop on my Mac (RH under enulation and YDL
native). I did the original port of CFMX 6.0 to OS X using RH on
Virtual PC. That was an experience!
From time to time I will try the latest versions of Linux, just to keep
current.
But, each time I come away with the impression that the Linux GUIs are
really only there to provide an alternative to CLI experts.
To be able to install all the goodies and "realize the advantage" of a
Linux GUI -- you really need to:
1) be a Linux expert, first
2) be prepared to learn what you need to know about the Linux, etc.
facilities, when you do a particular install.
To be sure, this isn't all the fault of Linux. Some it is due to the
nature of open source. There, usually, are several ways of doing
things -- Desk top GUIs, auto installs, etc. Many of these, are built
on other open-source components, ad infinitum. Many of these are
poorly documented and have complex co and pre-requisites.
Another contributing factor is that many of these are platform/hardware
independent -- so the designers of all the bits and pieces cannot make
assumptions about the install environment.
The result is complexity!
Microsoft, to some extent, resolves this by supplying a consistent (and
mostly complete) software platform. The desktop usually looks and
performs in a consistent manner, Microsoft and 3rd-party software
vendors can relay on certain facilities being present (a JRE is a
notable exception). Given this "given" software platform, software
installs tend to be easier and more standardized (famiiar).
But, complexity comes into play when you want to install non-standard
hardware -- unique drivers, wizards, etc. The installation involves
choices & configuration. Then the added complexity of reconfiguring
other software to recognize and utilize the newly installed device.
I don't want to start a flame war here, just to complete the discussion.
Apple is able to remove much of the remaining complexity because they
supply both the hardware and the software. An install program can
interrogate the system ROM ad immediately determine the exact model,
speed, configuration of the hardware, and easily determine the
installed versions of software. Apple publishes standard interfaces
for hardware devices and drivers -- if these are used, any application
will automatically recognize/utilize the device.
Apple uses these capability for installing its software & the
3rd-party vendors do too - if they want to sell to Mac users.
The results:
1) Most software is installed by double clicking
2) most hardware is plug-and-play, without configuration
3) existing apps (mostly) automatically takes advantage of new hardware
or software, without reconfiguration
Sure, there are complexities -- but the are the exception, rather than
the norm.
Most often the complexity involves installation of open-source software
(PHP, Apache, MySQL, JBoss, Perl, Java, XWindows, etc).
To some extent, Apple has mitigated this problem by pre-installing the
most popular open source (including all of the above -- JBoss and MySQL
on OS X Server).
But, if you do want to get into the heart of the system, you can, at
YOUR option.
With the CLI, you have at most everything a 'Nix geek would want (or so
I've been told)!
Apple claims that they have the largest install base of Unix desktops
with Mac OS X.
I have been told by others that they chose the Mac flavor of 'Nix
because they can use the friendly Aqua desktop for most uses (Word,
Excel, iTunes, Flash, Browsers, etc). While, at the same time, open
other windows with CLIs or any of the open-source GUIs for 'NIX.
They say, "It's the best of both worlds!".
Dick
On Aug 11, 2004, at 7:47 AM, Mark A. Kruger - CFG wrote:
> Ok, this is silly, but��here goes.��I have a linux desktop at home
> that I'm playing with each evening (at least until I
> kick it to death in frustration).��I'm using Fedora core 1 and
> GNOME.��I use root as my login and pasword.��My biggest
> problem is simply INSTALLING stuff.��For example, I downloaded and
> installed Mozilla - that went ok.��It took a while to
> figure out how to create a "launcher" for it on my desktop - but I
> even got through that.
>
> Now I'm trying to install the Java plugin for it.��I have a JDK on
> the machine - which I use for eclipse. When I went to
> install Flash there was a link, I followed the instructions and it
> worked first time (nice job MM). But for the Java
> plugin no such luck. The docs say to create a symbolic link to the
> plugin FROM The plugin directory to wherever it is
> located. So, I found it in the JDK and opend my pain the toosh
> terminal window and used the ln command to do it. After
> much trial and error - It was accomplished.
>
> I restarted the browser and opened a page with a simple java applet -
> no luck.��Part of the problem is probably that I
> don't want to use the standard path for stuff.��I don't WANT my JDK
> buried in /usr/var/obscurefolder1/jdk-1.234.e.3.e
> blah blah blah.... I want it right off the root where I can find the
> files easily. The same goes for mozilla and any
> other software I install��And what is with the GNOME file browser?
> It's so slow and pokey and the tree view is hideous
> ... but I digress.
>
> So... last night I decided I'd give up on the Java plugin for a while
> and install a game for my kids. It turns out there
> are a ton of games for Linux and that made me happy.��But it also
> turns out that none of them are as simple as
> downloading and installing.��I have to download, then use "tar" ..
> then open a terminal (why can't I right click on the
> configure or make??) and then run configure - which may or may NOT
> work, then run make and then make install.��So.. I
> started with a game that looked like tetris - figured my wife would
> like that one - she enjoys diamond mine - a tetris
> like game of matching.���So.. configure errors out saying I need the
> 'SDL' library... hmmm... ok, there's a link.���I
> went to it and found it in several forms - one being rpm.��So I
> downloaded the rpm, and I ran rpm -ivh *filename*.... I
> saw hashes on my screen - so I figured it was a good sign -
> right?��Nope.. configure still can't find the library.��So I
> did a search for the sdl-config utility.��It turns out it is no where
> to be found on the machine. Where did it go?
>
> See what I mean.��Where's the linux equivelent of the registry -
> where I can go and see what's installed and where it's
> at and stuff.��Why is it necessary to download, configure, compile
> and then install something?��Isn't there such a thing
> as an linux installer or wizard?���It's no longer a mystery why linux
> hasn't done well on the desktop. After years of
> work they still haven't figured out how most people use a
> desktop.��Most people get hung up on "start-->run...type
> something in" on a windows box. Does the linux world think they are
> going to ooh and ah at the wonders of the tar
> command line?
>
> -Mark
>
> ��-----Original Message-----
> ��From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> ��Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 3:08 PM
> ��To: CF-Linux
> ��Subject: Re: good linux newbie list...
>
> ��Hello Mark,
>
> ��If it's something you can't find quickly through google it may not
> be
> ��so "inane".��I'd suggest trying this list.
>
> ��Tuesday, August 10, 2004, 2:02:31 PM, you wrote:
>
> ��MAKC> Guys,
>
> ��MAKC> Anyone know of a good linux newbie list - where I can ask
> really inane questions??
>
> ��MAKC> -Mark
>
> ��--
> ��Best regards,
> ��kbridges���������������������������
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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