[plug] [plug-ctte] Linux enthusiasm - too good to be true?

[Kai]

Don't forget to cc John so he can read them :)

Reply from Kev listed below...there's also a reply from Paul which I'll 
forward in a minute 'cause it doesn't look like you're cc'd in that 
email either :P

Kev wrote:
> 
> 
> Patrick Coleman wrote:
>> J & M Kampert wrote:
>>  
>>> About two months ago, I tried to run an LCD monitor on  my "Windows XP
>>> home" computer. It was a disaster: XP could not set the screen
>>> definition to match the LCD's needs. Possibly I could have fixed this
>>> then with a graphics card; BUT the old computer {My ninth or tenth?} is
>>> not a good candidate in my opinion for hardware experiments. So I
>>> recalled from my days as a computer systems manager/accountant [HP NCR
>>> mini computer systems in the bad old days of tape back-ups etc] that
>>> there is such a thing as LINUX nee UNIX which could get me out of the
>>> clutches of Microsoft without switching to [an even more expensive]
>>> MacIntosh system.
>>>  
>>> I started to read up on LINUX, and developed the impression that either
>>> it's very very good, or it's too good to be true.
>>>  
>>> I purchased two CD's from your Perth supply address: LINUX XP 2006SR2
>>> and then SimplyMepis 6.5.02.
>>>  
>>> The first wouldn't even demo, the second demo'd under Windows XP but
>>> didn't seem to accept any scanners.
>>>  
>>> SO, I decided to play it safe and bought a new PC with a faster CPU,
>>> more RAM a twenty inch LCD and Windows VISTA, the system that allows me
>>> to write this email. This also enabled me to download Open Office and
>>> GIMP under Windows VISTA, saving me a small fortune for software
>>> replacements. After two days of systems work, I got my old printers and
>>> cameras to work under Vista, but the download of a Canon driver for my
>>> old scanner failed, so I had to invest in a new one. Open Office and
>>> GIMP allowed me to continue to work  on my existing data from MS Office
>>> and Photoshop.  
>>> Then I took the chance to try and install a version of Linux on the old
>>> box, hoping it would allow me to learn Linux and so to eventually rid
>>> myself of VISTA.
>>>  
>>> the results:
>>>  
>>> Simply Mepis 6.5.02 did instal, and wiped out all the old Windows XP,
>>> all other software and data, BUT then demanded a registration number,
>>> which I haven't got, and the old box is not [yet] connected to the net.
>>> Furthermore Mepis did not seem to have loaded much of Open Office!
>>>  
>>> I then tried LINUX XP 2006SR2, which wiped off Mepis but then could
>>> not/would not properly auto-reformat the disk and hence did not install
>>> itself. Now the old computer system is just an empty shell with only 
>>> a BIOS!
>>>  
>>> Perhaps I should re-install Windows XP Home on it and use it for storing
>>> back-up data?
>>>  
>>> If you can show a way into Linux without requiring a Uni or TAFE
>>> course,  then I look forward on installing LINUX without eating also a
>>> box of panadol!
>>>  
>>> But for now, I tend to the belief that the Internet-hype about Linux is
>>> just that; it's great if you are a tinkerer/hobbyist; but no good if you
>>> expect your computer to work as a tool!
>>>  
>>> Regards,
>>>  
>>> John Kampert, retired accountant
>>>
>>>     
>>
>> Hi John,
>>
>> I'd recommend you try Ubuntu - its hardware detection is very good and 
>> it's great as far
>> as "just works" goes. I use it on my various desktops and my laptop 
>> because I don't have
>> to stuff around with it (I spend my time breaking Linux servers at 
>> work instead). Ubuntu
>> has become an extremely popular distribution recently because of this.
>>
>> If you would like a copy and don't want to download it (if you want to 
>> you can from
>> http://ftp.iinet.net.au/pub/ubuntu-releases/8.04/ubuntu-8.04-desktop-i386.iso) 
>> let me know
>> and I can give you a copy at our next seminar.
>>
>> I've cc'd this to our mailing list, in case anyone there has any other 
>> suggestions. If
>> you're interested in learning more I'd recommend you subscribe (if you 
>> haven't already) -
>> you can do so at http://plug.org.au/resources/mailing-list.
>>
>> Everyone: you may want to cc John on any replies.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Patrick Coleman
>> President, PLUG
>> linux.org.au
>>   
> 
> 
> G'day John,
> 
> At the risk of starting a religious war in PLUG, you sound just like a 
> candidate for Xandros.  They /specifically/ aim their distro at Windoze 
> refugees.  Whilst Ubuntu, and quite a few others, are very good, they're 
> not for the /absolute/ beginner.  They're for tier 2 beginners.  That 
> goes double for someone near my own age bracket - you did say retired!  
> I now play regularly with new distros (been installing the latest 
> Klikit, Mandriva and Kubuntu tonight) but if Xandros hadn't appeared 
> (recommended by a PLUG committee member I might add) I would have given 
> up on Linux altogether.  Xandros is /the definitive/ beginners' Linux.  
> You can learn all you need there to be productive for evermore, or give 
> you enough background to go forward and become a real geek.  Either way, 
> it's the one standout best entry level distro, bar none!  If you want to 
> give it a try I have a DVD of the latest free version - just drop me a 
> line and I can send a copy to you (I'm in Albany).  If it means anything 
> to you, it's a Debian based distro using the KDE desktop and all 
> defaulted to make a Windoze user feel quite at home.  You have all the 
> power and stability of Linux in a very familiar looking environment.
> 
> Cheers
> Kev