1. OT - Linux
- Posted by Kenneth Rhodes <ken_rhodes30436 at yahoo.com>
Aug 03, 2005
-
Last edited Aug 04, 2005
Alexander Toresson wrote:
>
> EU Coder wrote:
> > Microsoft main goal is to integrate your A/V=
> > entertainment system, computer, and cell phone all into one seamless
> > network. Unfortunately Linux will not be able to compete with that.
> >
>
> Linux, or rather all linux distros (linux is just the kernel) can already do
> that.
> The main problem is, and has always been, drivers and that there's not that
> many programs
> written for linux. Most are written for windows. Many hardware manufacturers
> do not
> release (working) linux drivers or provied technical info on how the device
> works.
> In that case, the task of coding a driver for linux means reverse-engineering
> the hardware
> interface of the hardware. And that is quite some work, so if there's not many
> that
> use that specific product, a driver will probably not see the light of day.
>
> Regards, Alexander Toresson
>
The dirth of Linux drivers has been a thorn in my side for years - yet I am
encouraged by the trend toward more economical broadband access and more
economical laser printers - both well supported by Linux.
Last night I set up SuSE 9.3 on a friends system. He has a small organic
farming business. Now he has access to an incredible amount of software that he
can use to support his business - desktop publishing, web page development,
spreadsheet, etc - software that would probably cost him at least $1000 - $2000
in the MS world.
Lets hope that SCO loses its suit against IBM.
Ken Rhodes
100% MicroSoft Free
2. Re: OT - Linux
I obtained a 18 gig bigfoot drive and partioned it for Linux and swap files.
Now I find out that it's not a good idea to download the distros with
dialup (I'm not going DSL). So now I am discouraged about the whole thing.
Other than Virus protection (because the virus writers do not target a small
market, I think I read here somewhere 15% of the public use Lenux),
what's the big advantage of Lenux?
I've already got Windows95, Windows98, and Windows 2000.
So the fact that Lenux is free dosen't mean much to me.
Don Cole,
SF
3. Re: OT - Linux
don cole wrote:
>
> what's the big advantage of Lenux?
>
> I've already got Windows95, Windows98, and Windows 2000.
>
> So the fact that Lenux is free dosen't mean much to me.
That's actually a good question. What is the advantage of Linux?
The only big reason to go Linux is if you like to fiddle with an OS really. It's
UNIX-like and pretty good for server's too but if you don't need a server or use
UNIX there's not much reason to use it. Plus FreeBSD is by most acounts better in
almost all regards. The only thing Linux beats the BSDs with is support for more
stuff. The BSDs only add stuff when it's stable, Linux and GNU have a tendency to
stick stuff in as soon as it's ready. For this reason the BSDs tend to be more
stable and secure but if you need to mount an HPFS disk on an ARM machine or
something else wierd then you'll probably need Linux. Also, there are over 300
Linux distibutions to choose from which can be a bit daunting (although most
people choose either Debian, Red Hat, or one of their offshoots).
However, if I could get rid of Windows and I couldn't get BSD to boot I'd
probably use Linux because even though I firmly believe Linux to be inferior to
BSD it still beats Windows when it comes to stability and security.
The Euphoria Standard Library project :
http://esl.sourceforge.net/
The Euphoria Standard Library mailing list :
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/esl-discussion
4. Re: OT - Linux
don cole wrote:
>
> I obtained a 18 gig bigfoot drive and partioned it for Linux and swap files.
>
> Now I find out that it's not a good idea to download the distros with
>
> dialup (I'm not going DSL).
Ubuntu Linux will ship a cd (indeed a number of cd's) to anyone
free of charge. Follow this link.
http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/
And Cheapbytes offers really cheap cd's of all the major distributions:
http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart
> So now I am discouraged about the whole thing.
Your looking at the hole instead of the donut. ;)
> Other than Virus protection (because the virus writers do not target a small
>
> market, I think I read here somewhere 15% of the public use Lenux),
>
> what's the big advantage of Lenux?
I think FREEDOM is a very big advantage :)
>
> I've already got Windows95, Windows98, and Windows 2000.
>
> So the fact that Lenux is free dosen't mean much to me.
>
> Don Cole,
> SF
> http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart
It might mean a great deal to you if you needed some of
the software applications and development tools that are
free with Linux.
But if you are a happy with Windows - thats fine, really.
I am overjoyed that I have the freedom to support alternatives
to a monopoly. Sometimes Linux can be very frustrating, but
for the most part the entire Open Source Free Software
environment is incredibly stimulating. Hmmmmmm, so maybe
I should list FUN as a big advantage of Linux. :)
Remember the old Pink Floyd song.. went something like this:
"Did you exchange a walk on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?"
Wish You Were Here :)
Ken Rhodes
100% MicroSoft Free
5. Re: OT - Linux
> Ubuntu Linux will ship a cd (indeed a number of cd's) to anyone
> free of charge. Follow this link.
> http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/
Holy crap, that's totally awesome! I just ordered 20 CDs - 15 Intel, 3
PowerPC, 2 AMD64. I just hope the distro is worth the price. :)
~Greg
6. Re: OT - Linux
Greg Haberek wrote:
>
> > Ubuntu Linux will ship a cd (indeed a number of cd's) to anyone
> > free of charge. Follow this link.
> > <a href="http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/">http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/</a>
>
> Holy crap, that's totally awesome! I just ordered 20 CDs - 15 Intel, 3
> PowerPC, 2 AMD64. I just hope the distro is worth the price. :)
>
> ~Greg
>
>
I ordered 10 Intels. Their default amount; they said you might as well order
that many because it won't change thier shipping costs!!
I'm almost excited as when I order the California Raisins' figurines from
Kellog's Rain Brand for $2.99 + three box tops.
Don Cole,
SF
7. Re: OT - Linux
don cole wrote:
>
> Greg Haberek wrote:
> >
> > > Ubuntu Linux will ship a cd (indeed a number of cd's) to anyone
> > > free of charge. Follow this link.
> > > <a
> > > href="http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/">http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/</a>
> >
> > Holy crap, that's totally awesome! I just ordered 20 CDs - 15 Intel, 3
> > PowerPC, 2 AMD64. I just hope the distro is worth the price. :)
> >
> > ~Greg
> >
> >
> I ordered 10 Intels. Their default amount; they said you might as well order
>
> that many because it won't change thier shipping costs!!
>
> I'm almost excited as when I order the California Raisins' figurines from
>
> Kellog's Rain Brand for $2.99 + three box tops.
>
> Don Cole,
> SF
>
Now that's thinking ahead! If I had 9 extra coasters for my drinks the last
time I played with *nix, I might still be using it.
-- Brian
8. Re: OT - Linux
Kenneth Rhodes wrote:
>
> Ubuntu Linux will ship a cd (indeed a number of cd's) to anyone
> free of charge. Follow this link.
> <a href="http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/">http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org/</a>
>
> And Cheapbytes offers really cheap cd's of all the major distributions:
> <a
> href="http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart">http://cart.cheapbytes.com/cgi-bin/cart</a>
Please note that there is also Kubuntu, which is, of course, Ubuntu with
KDE as the windowmanager. This will likely be more comfortable for people
who are used to using Windows.
9. Re: OT - Linux
Kenneth Rhodes wrote:
> Last night I set up SuSE 9.3 on a friends system. He has a small organic
> farming business.
> Now he has access to an incredible amount of software that he can use to
> support his
> business - desktop publishing, web page development, spreadsheet, etc -
> software that
> would probably cost him at least $1000 - $2000 in the MS world.
Even better, he's got a friend who can customise that software to work
exactly the way he needs it to work. Try that with off-the-shelf software.
> Lets hope that SCO loses its suit against IBM.
I think all hope is gone, after SCO's latest foot-in-mouth moves.
What remains to be seen is whether or not the SEC gets involved.
'Pumping and dumping' I believe it is called.
10. Re: OT - Linux
> D. Newhall wrote:
>
> don cole wrote:
> >
> > what's the big advantage of Lenux?
> >
> > I've already got Windows95, Windows98, and Windows 2000.
> >
> > So the fact that Lenux is free dosen't mean much to me.
>
> That's actually a good question. What is the advantage of Linux?
>
I've been toying with this question over the past few weeks and decided to
come up with a list.
Windows advantages:
- More support for large-scale games
- More specialized software available
- More familiar look & feel (although the Luna UI almost cancelled that
advantage)
- Better fonts support (but I understand that isn't as much of an advantage
anymore)
- Better driver support
Linux advantages:
- At around $300 for XP Pro, buying even a $20 or even $60 distro of Linux
to get the CDs, book, and full phone support is still a lot cheaper. And
there's always the free downloads.
- Less restrictive licensing: I can install OEM versions on any PC or
replacement I dern well please without having to call for permission
to use something I've already paid for.
- At $1000 for Visual Studio vs. free for most Linux development tools,
it's easier (okay, cheaper) to be a professional programmer without
corporate sponsorship.
- More stable and secure server environment
- More frequent OS/utility upgrades that are easier to apply.
- Experimentation: it seems that a greater percentage of people who are
pushing computers into new uses are running Linux, especially in the
fields of robotics and automation.
- Console-only distros (not avail in Windows) can be used to breathe new
life into old PCs for niche applications (router, firewall, low-volume mail/
web/ftp server). These can be kept up to date with the latest patches and
security fixes.
If my primary use of a computer is entertainment, I'll probably go with
either Windows or Mac. For my child's education, Linux gives me more tools
to control what they're allowed to do. For office work, I think Linux is
the cheaper solution; but there's no real advantage to any platform. For
myself, I run Linux on my laptop and Windows98 on my desktop. And Euphoria
runs nicely on both!
already paid
