Linux - try it out...

[RPetry]

For those that are just curious, or want to escape from the heavy hand of Microsoft, the Fedora team has released a live CD based on Fedora Core 6. This gives you the opportunity to try out a new operating system, without the hassle of hard drive partitioning or doing a permanent install. Everything is on and accessed through your CD drive. The system is a self contained image file (.iso) and can be downloaded here:

Fedora Project, sponsored by Red Hat

Download the FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso file to your hard drive and burn it to a CD using Nero or other Windoz software. Remember, burn it as an image file. Once done, reboot, and as long as your system bios is set up to boot from your CD drive, you now are in Linux.

I've been running Linux systems since 1999, the old RedHat 6.0 days. Aside from Quickbooks on a laptop for the business and playing a few PC games, XP stays unused on a spare hard drive.

Though Linux is far more user friendly and much easier to configure than the old days, it is not for the "plug and play" user or the faint of heart. Expect to spend a huge amount of time learning and tweaking. My advice for those that want to explore further, is to purchase a good introductory book at Barnes & Noble or favorite bookstore. Titles published by SAMS or O'Reilly are recommended.

[PressurePros]

Originally Posted by RPetry

Though Linux is far more user friendly and much easier to configure than the old days, it is not for the "plug and play" user or the faint of heart. Expect to spend a huge amount of time learning and tweaking. My advice for those that want to explore further, is to purchase a good introductory book at Barnes & Noble or favorite bookstore. Titles published by SAMS or O'Reilly are recommended.

Hey Rick, happy new year. The above is not exactly making me want to run out and try this thing. What are the advantages to using this O/S?

[RPetry]

Hey Ken,

The best of the New Year to you. I'll give you a call soon, I could really use some of your business expertise.

The above is not exactly making me want to run out and try this thing. What are the advantages to using this O/S?

Many would tout the "free" software angle. I use OpenOffice for all my business needs, aside from bookeeping. I use GIMP for graphics editing, no need for PhotoShop. Firefox for web browsing, Thunderbird as an email and usenet client, Apache for a web server, Amarok for streaming audio and playing/orgainizing CD's and mp3 files, xine for playing DVD's, the list just goes on and on. The amount and quality of open source software is just astounding. As far as I know, there is nothing I cannot do using Linux, and a whole lot more using Linux, with comparable and in some areas superior software, as compared to Windows. PC gaming is the only exception.

I developed software for years for the Windows platform. Got tired of code bloat, constant and expensive upgrade cycles, and the proprietary, non network concentric design. Though I have not written code for many years, as a user Linux offers a tremendous amount of freedom and customization.

Open source software is as much a philosophy as a product. The community has contributed and continues to contribute new technologies for the greater good.

But you have to be a tinkerer and willing to learn. Personally, I would rather build a PC than buy one off the shelf. Not for many, but that kind of mindset and interest is helpful.

[JohnW]

Originally Posted by RPetry

For those that are just curious, or want to escape from the heavy hand of Microsoft, the Fedora team has released a live CD based on Fedora Core 6. This gives you the opportunity to try out a new operating system, without the hassle of hard drive partitioning or doing a permanent install. Everything is on and accessed through your CD drive. The system is a self contained image file (.iso) and can be downloaded here:

Fedora Project, sponsored by Red Hat

Download the FC-6-i386-livecd-1.iso file to your hard drive and burn it to a CD using Nero or other Windoz software. Remember, burn it as an image file. Once done, reboot, and as long as your system bios is set up to boot from your CD drive, you now are in Linux.

I've been running Linux systems since 1999, the old RedHat 6.0 days. Aside from Quickbooks on a laptop for the business and playing a few PC games, XP stays unused on a spare hard drive.

Though Linux is far more user friendly and much easier to configure than the old days, it is not for the "plug and play" user or the faint of heart. Expect to spend a huge amount of time learning and tweaking. My advice for those that want to explore further, is to purchase a good introductory book at Barnes & Noble or favorite bookstore. Titles published by SAMS or O'Reilly are recommended.

Good post Rick. I've tried Knoppix Live and Mandrake Live, but never really used either except to play around with them. I think for someone who wants to only surf and or do IM's, a live cd is a great way to do that. Not too many viruses and or malware written for linux. Not only that, like you said, once you reboot, you can go back into windows w/o worrying about anything. I wish I could completely switch over to linux, but as a gamer, it's not a real possibility for me.
Gimp is a great tool and I, like you use OpenOffice.org, also a great distro.

[RPetry]

John,

I wish I could completely switch over to linux, but as a gamer, it's not a real possibility for me.

Partition or throw in another hard drive and dual boot! Not that hard, on my main computer I have 3 Linux and 2 Windoz O/S's installed.

Many do not realize, but they may already be using open source software every day. Some popular programs have been ported to the Windows platform. Firefox is a primary example.

Online security is an issue. I'm not well versed on this, and it may be that crackers and script kiddies focus on Windows due to the huge user base. But Linux is a sibling to Unix, an O/S that was designed from the start for networks. Small wonder that major internet companies such as Google, as well a most Web hosting companies, run Linux or *nix as a backend.

Gaming is inferior in Linux. Unreal, Half Life, Doom, and a few other series and single games do run natively. But even these were optimized for DirectX, not OpenGL. I've benchmarked a 10-15% drop in fps and slight degradation in visual quality running the same title on the same computer with Windows being superior. Other than nVidia, video drivers can also be questionable.

Not that the code base for OpenGL is lacking in capability. But no game developer is going to spend resources tweaking for a small market. I do not see this changing in the near future.

[RPetry]

A screenshot.

This is an example of the KDE desktop. Not that I usually crowd up a single desktop with so much stuff, but it will give you an idea.

Note the square box down on the screen in the middle or what's commonly known as the taskbar, divided into 4 quadrants. These are virtual desktops, just a mouse click or keystroke away. Ya' can fill 'em up with whatever you want.

Linux is not just a geeky command line interface.

[David O'Connell Jr.]

What do you like better in KDE that GNOME?
Right now I'm playing with this --->Welcome - Ubuntu: Linux for human beings
Its Debian based. Its fun and runs on my dell 6000, which a lot of LIVE cd/dvd's don't. Knoppix is fun as well.

I use Quicken and don't really trust WINE. I like OO.
The graphics is Linux and BSD is soo much better than Windoz.

[RPetry]

David,

I just gravitated to the KDE desktop back when I first started with Linux. At that time KDE was a bit more intuitive and easier to use, coming from Windoz. Played with Gnome but you know how it is, ya' get use to something and stick with it. Normal, most of us are creatures of habit.

I've read a bit about the Ubuntu distribution. Their live CD would probably be a better choice for new users. Fedora is by design on the cutting edge, and may be more difficult for some.

Never tried WINE, and I'm not sure if I would subject my books to an emulator. OpenOffice is just as capable and feature rich as MS Office, and you sure can't beat the price.

[David O'Connell Jr.]

Don't care much for the Kubuntu the Gnome is better.

[eads]

Personally I like knoppix myself. I will say this, getting familiar with linux operating systems can be fustrating at times though IMHO.

[RPetry]

Mike,

.

..getting familiar with linux operating systems can be fustrating at times though IMHO.

Very true if you are migrating from years of Windows use. However, consider the learning curve when you first encountered Windows or DOS. Familiarization with any operating system takes time .

Many of us older in years were exposed to Unix during college or in the workplace. That experience helps as Linux started as a virtual clone of Unix. In my mind, there is no inherent difficulty in learning to use Linux.

Granted, Linux is much more "hands on" and tweaking is a big part of customization. But that is one of the primary features of the OS. You can configure your desktop and even the kernel into literally anything you want. Many enjoy this freedom instead of being restricted to Microsoft's idea of how a PC should look, act, and perform.

[eads]

Originally Posted by RPetry

Granted, Linux is much more "hands on" and tweaking is a big part of customization. But that is one of the primary features of the OS. You can configure your desktop and even the kernel into literally anything you want. Many enjoy this freedom instead of being restricted to Microsoft's idea of how a PC should look, act, and perform.

That's the beauty of it all Rick. It all worth it once you figure everything out. Plus, every thing is FREE.

[RPetry]

Mike,

Plus, every thing is FREE.

Yeah, its the old "free as in free beer" adage. In other words, say you go to a party and there is free beer for refreshment. You can drink all you want while in attendance without moral qualms, but it would be unethical to fill a large container and take it home for future consumption.

Open source software is similar in many respects. Anyone has the right and is encouraged to use the software. You can make changes to the code base, and even market your effors for a profit, but such work must remain open and transparent for all to benefit.

What I find amazing is that literally thousands of highly skilled programmers around the world donate their time and skills for the betterment of all. Corporations such as Google, IBM, Novell, Red Hat have hundreds of paid techs working on open source software. Its a new and exciting paradigm for the digital world. And money is being made in the process.

This new business model is migrating into fields other than software. Talk about free beer, read this article!

Wired 14.09: Posts

The digital revolution is on...long live the revolution!