[KLUG Members] Help - Not OS Discussion

[Paul VandenBosch]

Chris Gidman said:
> Hi Y'all.
>
> I'm deeply frustrated with Windows once again.  And, once again, I'm
> considering the Linux alternative.  But, what keeps me from it is the
> following:
>
> I don't want to put the energy into figuring out everything.  If I buy
> Windows (ack!) I install it, and it generally works.  I found
> this to not be the case with Linux last time I tried it.
>
> I want to be able to see web sites the way they are "meant" to be
> seen.  A large number of websites use proprietary things like ActiveX
> and ASP.  I don't want that to be a hindrance.  What about
> Macromedia, etc.?
>
> I want to play my games... most of which are designed for windows.
>
> I want to make the most of my video card.  The software that came
> with it is Windows based.  (Radeon 8500DV)  Also, ATI does not
> support the card on Linux.
>
> Currently I'm running Windows 98 and am experiencing a myriad of
> problems.  I'm considering upgrading to Win2K or WinXP.  But, before I
> fork out the cash, I thought I'd give Linux another chance.
>
> Can all this be handled without much thought yet?
>
> Chris.

Nope.

You will have to think, Google around to find solutions, ask questions and
try different things to get linux configured the way you want it.  Then
you will learn new things about linux and want to configure it again. 
There are problems with some modems that don't seem to work in linux,
there may be problems with your video card as well.  There are hundreds of
applications that you will have to learn the names of and figure out what
they do.  Downloading software is totally different and you have to learn
a new way of installing it.  There is a lot of software available for
linux that is not available for Windows.  Once linux is set up and
configured, it will be very reliable and you will probably not want to go
back to windows.  You will be overwhelmed with the possiblilities of what
you can do with linux when you start looking at what the open source
movement is producing.

You can install flash and java, sound and video is a matter of configuring
apps.  Linux browsers are as good or better than windows browsers and not
as vulnerable to spyware.

You may want to run a dual boot system to run your games on windows.  You
may find linux games that you like better.

Its not something that happens without any effort and its a long road from
newbie to expert.

The best way to get started is to dedicate a box to linux and get someone
to help you install it.  If your modem doesn't work in linux, trash it and
get a new one.  Same for the video card.  Once you get past configuring
the box so it works, you can use it for years without any changes.

-- 
Paul VandenBosch
Guide to Sailing and Cruising Stories
http://cruisenews.net