Lobo wrote:
On 4/29/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
OpenOffice is an office suite similar to Microsoft Office.
If you wish to replace your OS, check out Linux
>>I am looking to use software in place of Windows XP Home. Is my
Linux is really only feasible for technically sophisticated people at
this point in time. It is definitely not yet ready for the average PC
user. There are far too many issues with finding drivers for hardware,
incompatible versions (software that works on one flavor of Linux
often will not work with another flavor), and the list goes on and on.
If the developers of Linus would start working together instead of
against each other they would have a far better product in a far
shorter time.
The unfortunate reality is that there is no realistic substitute for
Windows at this time. Contrary to irrational opinion, MacOS is even
worse than Windows for bugs and proprietary components, and everybody
knows that there isn't the fraction of software options available.
On the other hand, if you can find a new computer with Linux already
pre-installed, you _might_ have a chance of making it work for you.
I must disagree with this as well as the others.
. My father in his 70's runs and manages Linux at home.
. My 9 year old daughter uses Linux and teachs me a thing or two.
. My wife uses and prefers Linux over Windows and Mac OS-X.
. I use Linux at my work which is mostly Windows based with almost no
issues.
As for installation. I have had only two issues with installing Linux
in the past three years on multiple computers. ATI support for their
video cards is crap, nVidia is great. Toshiba has a proprietor SD
reader in their notebooks.
I agree that it is best to try many of the live CD/DVD's that are out
there before moving to Linux. Unlike Windows, there is a choice between
different versions. Many swear by their preferred distro but that is
usually be experience.
Linux is not for everyone. The security issues can cause people
headaches because the concept of rights and not being able to look and
view all the files on a system is new to most people. As well as
separate accounts for all users with limited rights. Sure it is in XP
but restrictions from reading others files is really limited unless you
spend the time to set it up properly which I have yet to see.
As with Windows, there is the Linux for Dummies book that can get you
through the worst of it.
Note, if you have 64 bit hardware, you can get Linux to actually use the
full capabilities of your computer. Also if you have older hardware,
you can run Linux on that as well.
What I like about Linux is freedom. I can install a system from a DVD
and have all the productivity software that I need already installed.
With a few commands I can install a whole bunch of extras for things
like video editing, DVD ripping and authoring, CAD, electronic design
and the most important, games. :)
The version of Linux I use is not for the newer users as it is sort of a
Beta version but I like it and in my experience it is more stable than
Windows XP Pro that I have to use from time to time.
--
Robin Laing
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