On Mon, 1 Sep 2008 01:09:32 -0400
Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 04:42:30PM -0400, Joe Takacs wrote:
>
> >
> > I have been strongly considering going to Linux for a while, but
> > "testimonials" like this give me second thoughts.
> >
> > While windoze is certainly not without problems, it does "just
> > work" (at least for me).
> >
> > Which is the best Linux distro that "just works" without a lot of
> > hassle?
> >
> > Joe Takacs
>
> So much of this depends upon your hardware. For example, many low end
> laptops use the Atheros AR5007EG card, which is not supported out of
> the box.
>
> Also, "What works" is often in the eye of the beholder. Yes, Fedora
> often has issues. Mint is probably an even better choice than Ubuntu
> as it adds in various restricted programs by default. For simple
> email, web browsing and docs, almost any of them come close to it Just
> Works(TM).
>
> However, I don't think any of them will do everything you want
> without a little googling and such. In fairness, you don't see Apple
> advertising "We don't really worry too much about security updates,"
> or Windows advertising, "Our Windows genuine advantage will, at least
> once, cause you to have to call us for a number even though you have
> legitimately bought your copy." That is, there's hype in Linux too.
>
> Wireless is often a problem. Sound is often a problem, mostly
> because, in my humble opinion, the developers didn't leave well
> enough alone--two years ago, it usually just worked, now it often
> requires a bit of research depending upon distro--Fedora is one of
> the worst on this--the developer made some choices with which many
> people disagreed, but considers various bug reports to not be bugs,
> but user misconfiguration.
>
>
> For example, one sometimes has to take the highly unintuitive step, to
> get sound to work, of editing files in /etc/security/console.perms.d/
> because last November, they decided to tie sound in with ConsoleKit, a
> program only necessary if you use Gnome--errm, a program that WAS only
> necessary if you used Gnome.
>
> Various things won't work--such as Active X pages and the like--Linux
> is still not a good choice for gaming.
>
> One thing you can do, to see if there's a reasonable chance of your
> hardware working without problem is to run a LiveCD, and see if the
> various programs you need will work. Almost all distributions now
> have a LiveCD to let you try before installing.
>
> As for Fedora, I use it because my job involves CentOS but that's a
> little behind on various programs--it's the price paid for having a
> very very stable system.
>
> As each distribution involves learning its individual pain in the neck
> quirks, it's just not worth it for me to go through time learning the
> various quirks of say, Ubuntu--it would probably take me as much time
> as it takes to make my Fedora system work, especially as I'm fairly
> familiar with the way RH based systems are put together.
>
> However, on Fedora forums, you will frequently see new users come on
> and say, Fedora doesn't work with X, Y, and Z, but they worked in
> Ubuntu.
>
> Most of the time, if the user is simply frustrated, and doesn't seem
> all that interested in putting a lot of time into getting it working,
> the old timers will, politely, suggest that they might be happier with
> another distribution.
>
>
I'm running Fedora 9 as my main desktop and problems with pulse audio
(especially but not only conflicts with skype) eventually caused me to
remove it entirely. Ditto with openSuse 11.0. Personally, I don't
understand the big deal about pulse anyway. ALSA works just fine for
me. Other than that it's been a pleasant experience overall the past
month or two.
PS Pulse audio worked perfectly for me with Mandriva. Your mileage may
vary.
--
Regards,
Donald Cooley
Registered Linux user 444909
--
"Arguments with furniture are rarely productive." - Kehlog Albran, "The
Profit"
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