For the Uber Geeks

[Kyobanim]

This is work safe

http://www.ubergeek.tv/article.php?pid=54

[Bill Harsey]

I don't get it.

Well, maybe a little bit, he says "fembots with a penchant for evil..."
Is this where FrontSight came from?

I am not a FemBot!

FrontSight

[Kyobanim]

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

I don't get it.

Well, maybe a little bit, he says "fembots with a penchant for evil..."
Is this where FrontSight came from?

That's why it's for the uber geeks.

[Bill Harsey]

Does anyone here use Linux?

[hoepoe]

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

Does anyone here use Linux?

Yes Sir, SuSE 9.2 Professional. Anything i can assist with?

Hoepoe

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

Does anyone here use Linux?

Yes, Debian on a server and Ubuntu on laptop.

[Bill Harsey]

Originally Posted by hoepoe

Yes Sir, SuSE 9.2 Professional. Anything i can assist with?

Hoepoe

Thanks but the question is only out of interest, I know less than nothing about Linux except what an old friend has told me.
Is this the operating system that is open for anyone to use with little or no charge?

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

Thanks but the question is only out of interest, I know less than nothing about Linux except what an old friend has told me.
Is this the operating system that is open for anyone to use with little or no charge?

Its a free, open source operating system (think firefox as to IE as linux is to windows). However, no windows specific applications will run on it. I used to use Linux (debian slackware and redhat), but for all intents and purposes, XP Pro does more for me with less effort. Its not very hard to use, but it does have a learning curve. I would not recommend it unless you need a machine for commercial/industrial purposes and all the pertinent appications you need on the machine have a linux version.

Hope that helps!

I'd recommend it if any of the following factors does not limit you:

• You are dependant on Windows only software, e.g. CAD/CAM
• You play a lot of games. There are good commercial games for Linux, but it is a fraction of what is available in the stores.
• In-browser WMV (Window Media Video)-support. Earlier there were more plugins that wouldn't run, but most are there nowadays.
• Some banks does not work with non-Windows/OS X, because of encrypted transfer system.

If you want a system that can just go on and on, it can be a good deal. However, it is not a completely full fledged desktop system yet.

Distributions also vary a lot between what they offer, in terms of customizability, installation and upgrade system and method of configuration.

Debian, Slackware, Crux, Root Linux, Gentoo, to some extent Ubuntu, etc, are hands on and often require manual editing of configuration files. The minus is an extremely steep learning curve if you're not used to the system and longer time to set it up. The plus is that you get it tailored for your needs and know where everything is.

Mandrake, SuSE/Novell, Redhat, etc, these are easier to setup, come with graphical installation and upgrade managers (called package managers, for installation of software), are more generic, though more customizable than Windows. There is less under the hood maintenance here, if any.

If you want to try one out, I'd suggest SuSE/Novell (Novell bought SuSE a few months back, but released it for a while under the old name).

Unless you can re-partition your harddrive and thus dual boot Windows and Linux, all current contents will be lost. Make backups.

For a normal user the only reasons I'd use for discouragement of Windows is the inferior stability, security and cost.

Linux is free, but in that case without support.

If you buy a retail package, such as SuSE/Novell, you'll get support and nicely printed CDs, instead of having to burn them yourself or installing over the net.

Shoot a PM if you need any help, in the event that you try it out.

Martin
History in Debian, SuSE, Redhat, Gentoo, Mandrake, Ubuntu and FreeBSD