"Stephen F. Bosch" wrote:
> Hmn. Where to start?
>
> Okay -- I like that MandrakeSoft took the step of going to an all graphical
> install. I've heard people rave about it and I've seen the screenshots,
> which are nice (though I myself haven't taken the step of moving up) -- but
> I have a few concerns about what I've been reading here on the list.
>
> One, it would appear to me that we have a gang of Linux users who have been
> bitten by the Micro$oft "upgraditis" bug. I remember a day when you
> installed software, and when it worked, you left it the way it was. Since
> M$ Windows (hell, even before that) came along, people feel compelled to
> upgrade, even if they can find no obvious reason to do it other than to
> have "the latest and greatest."
>
> So, my first question is, if 6.x worked so well, why on earth are you
> upgrading? I've got two machines in my office running beautifully on 6.1,
> and I see no good reason to move to 7.0.
>
I am, I suppose, guilty as charged, but with Linux moving as fast as it is, I
am looking for a version where I can recommend to my employer that we shaft M$
and go Linux. With the new M$ licencing policies/prices coming into effect
here soon, they have done a lot to help this! Also, I have a video chip which
is only poorly supported, so I look forward to each new release to see it is
better.
>
> I think this is an especially pertinent question since we are dealing with
> Unix, which gives the administrator/user tremendous flexibility in deciding
> what will and won't go into their system. If you need features, add them!
>
> Two, there is the question of "upgrades" versus "clean installs." I haven't
> heard nearly as many complaints about 7.0 from people who performed clean
> installs. Certainly, Linux is very sensitive to dependencies and my
> estimation is that the risk of something failing is much greater when you
> upgrade. For my part, I *tried* to upgrade from 6.0 to 6.1, and it was an
> unmitigated disaster. I even had basic filesystem problems. Only a clean
> install resolved them.
I agree, I always do clean installs.
>
>
> So, I recommend two approaches: if you need to stay current, replace
> packages and binaries, and if necessary, get a new kernel package. When you
> run out of rope to do this, then it's time to start clean, but by the time
> that is necessary, it will be worth it.
>
> ...
> I don't know where you see this attitude -- there are plenty of people
> working on Linux sources who would agree with you that it's not acceptable,
> but remember that many of them are volunteering their time. There are
> thousands of varieties of PC hardware out there, I think it's remarkable
> that so much *does* work (and this whether we're talking about M$ Windows,
> BeOS, or Linux). Think about it -- imagine someone gave you the task of
> developing a platform for the PC! I sure wouldn't want the job. I'd work my
> butt off and still have people whining to me on a regular basis, "My
> Shizbat 6500 doesn't work, you prick!"
>
> Again -- if 6.x worked, then stick with it.
>
> > The first Linux distribution that produces a hassle free installer that
> > works (no if's, but's, or maybe's - I mean works - full stop!)
> > WILL SUCCEED, all the rest will only be installed by enthusiasts (which
> > I still count myself among) and are doomed to their rightful resting
> > place in the garbage bin.
>
> Anyway, on a basic level I don't disagree with you. It's important to be
> demanding and play the devil's advocate -- because that *is* the path to
> success.
>
> > Now, it's time for my big decision - Do I, like my colleague, consign
> > the Ver 7 install I have spent so much time on to oblivion, and go back
> > to Ver 6 because it worked, or do I persevere, and try to get 7 up and
> > running properly, or, perhaps, do I try RedHat 6.2, or just wait for a
> > distro with kernel 2.4 & XFree 4? I really don't know, and I really
> > don't expect anyone else to decide for me, I just know that my
> > perceptions of install problems will never be the same again.
>
> I don't know -- if you are really an enthusiast, may I suggest something?
> Yes, try and make your Mandrake 7.0 install work. Then, when you have it
> figured out, give something back to the community and pass on to the rest
> of us what you did (and hell, even MandrakeSoft). *That* is how you effect
> change. If you're not part of the solution...
>
> -Stephen-
Thanks, Stephen. Yes, I think I will stick with v7, and, yes, whenever I find
a solution, I post it here for others. I'm only new to Linux, but I do try to
put back & help where I can. "Part of the solution...", yes, I hope I am -
even if only by identifying the problem, and stating it in a way that others
can follow & fix (that is, after all, the first part of a solution), but I
hope I soon know enough to do more than that. For all the problems, I still
think Linux is GREAT!
