[SLUG] Linux newbie questions

[Rod Butcher]

Hello, I'm new to Linux so my questions will be a bit basic for a while. 
 First, I can do anything I could do on Win2k except logon to StGeorge 
Bank BPay (Java applet doesn't allow Linux) and MacQuarie Uni eStudent 
system (combination of Javascript and possibly CGI validation won't 
accept Linux browser) - before I start raving about conspiracies, are 
there any known technical reasons for this ? Or just lazy designers ? 
Where are we in Oz re. this ? Secondly, are there any technical benefits 
(e.g. performance, stability)  to compiling my own apps vs installing 
precompiled binaries ? I recompiled Perl to 5.8.5 and some fairly 
complex Perl-Gtk2 apps (such as Mandrakes's package manager) seem to 
work instantly now, whereas before there seemed to be a slight delay 
with the precompiled 5.8.3.
thanks. Rod
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