Xandros and Lindows Linux

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: pspada
Um, if you want to try a new OS, and you'd prefer linux over one of the BSDs - then try a real Linux, not some Windows-like piece of crap. IMNSHO you'd be much better off, and you might learn something useful. Feel free to PM with any questions or problems you might have, I'd be glad to help you out.

Thats what is silly about all of this. Most people that are reading this thread and thinking about trying it dont want something that is 'powerful' they want something easy. windows is easy. Linux can't compete mainstream until it is easy.

As soon as I can easily do everything I do in windows (alot of gaming) in linux I will use linux... but its far off from that.. and it actually probably wont ever happen.

 

[ironk]

you're right. I have used Redhat, suse, and mandrake. All of them were just way too un-user friendly. Maybe Lycoris is different?

Yeah, I doubt that linux will take over windows or mainstream user any time soon. It might in the future, but I wouldn't care then cause I will prolly be dead.

 

[erickotz]

Knoppix is really cool. It's amazing. It just works. Everyone I've showed it to has been really impressed. To quote one of my friends:

Knoppix is NOT Linux-it works. It's really a very advanced, bootable director movie

BTW, you CAN install Knoppix to your hard drive hit ctrl-alt-F2 to get a root console, and type knx-hddinstall and it should start the install program.

 

[pspada]

My whole point is if you are going to bother with Linux at all, why go to a brain dead version? Or worse, to a version that is a Winblows clone? You want power and services, not to mention a server that does not have to be rebooted weekly, or have quite as many security breaches, then try linux. Otherwise just stick with 98se or XP or a Mac whatever is dumbed down enough for your comfort.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Originally posted by: Zepper
There are all types of people in the world. There are tech geeks like most of us here. And there are others who just want stuff that installs easily and works right-away so they can get on with whatever it is they want to do with their confusers.

So, in other words, there are the types of people who enjoy figuring linux out and have no problem with the occasional stumbling block, and there are windows users. IMHO, I would never stick a person who wasn't completely comfortable with thier computer on any linux distro. With linux, you have to expect wierd problems (not that you don't w/ windows, but I think you see my point).

 

[ironk]

You want power and services, not to mention a server that does not have to be rebooted weekly, or have quite as many security breaches, then try linux.

Last I checked, we were talking about desktop linux and not server side linux on this thread. And yes, if you want a server then go with linux. But the mainstream public (which is like 95% of us) is not interested in running a full blown server.

 

[breweyez]

i just looked at KNOPPIX...it was easy to work with...if there was a tutorial that explained it for the linux-newbie, im sure that most will find it easy to use..thanks for the knoppix link

 

[pspada]

Originally posted by: ironk

You want power and services, not to mention a server that does not have to be rebooted weekly, or have quite as many security breaches, then try linux.

Last I checked, we were talking about desktop linux and not server side linux on this thread. And yes, if you want a server then go with linux. But the mainstream public (which is like 95% of us) is not interested in running a full blown server.

Desktop linux? No such animal. You run Linux on your Desktop, it still can do the server stuff as well. Maybe not Linblows, but any real linux distro.

 

[Kirsten]

From what I can ascertain the 3 flavors of linux that are suitable for Windows converts are Xandros, Lindows, and Lycoris... I'm going to try all 3 of them. I'll install Lindows today and will report back. I'll delete my former Xandros installation which had great useability and sharp fonts etc. but was slower than molasses. Then I'll try Lycoris. If they are all slow because of the GUI overhead then linux isn't for me. Hey I can install Win 3.11 and have a faster computer than XP but who cares...that's why the cmd line brand of unix isn't for me.

Kirsten

 

[yddadnarg]

Originally posted by: pspada
My whole point is if you are going to bother with Linux at all, why go to a brain dead version? Or worse, to a version that is a Winblows clone? You want power and services, not to mention a server that does not have to be rebooted weekly, or have quite as many security breaches, then try linux. Otherwise just stick with 98se or XP or a Mac whatever is dumbed down enough for your comfort.

I think you're forgetting one of the biggest strong points of linux, which is the cost. Most of the time it's free, once in a while you pay. It's still not as bad as the new windows licensing agreements that they have already pushed onto Educational institutions and will soon try to push onto the average consumer, where you never actually own MS software, you just rent it year to year. Can you imagine having to pay every year for a POS O/S like XP? My university has to do just that and they have to do it for every full time employee regardless of whether or not they actually are going to use the software.

Don't forget MS = monopolistic evil giant corporation trying to screw the consumer and ensure it's dominance. Just because it's simple and fast, doesn't mean it's not evil. Some people might want to avoid this without having to become a full blown linux geek. These "Winblows clones" facilitate that and is just another example of linux bending to meet the needs of the consumer. The main reason linux won't become mainstream is because people believe it won't become mainstream. Until computer component manufacturers start seeing a demand in that market and helping linux developers with drivers and support, I agree that linux will have a hard time competing in mainstream market.

Maybe the key is for linux to replace windows, then it would have to be mainstream.