| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 40817 | 2003-12-19 06:28:00 | I would like to know more about Linux | dumdum (4965) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 201718 | 2003-12-19 10:38:00 | What's this about Clear? Just to clarify: ANY Distro can be made to work for home users (well, just about). Linux is Linux is Linux is Linux. Essentially, "linux" is just the Operating System's Kernel, the rest is "Programs and Settings" that Vendors (Such as Redhat, MandrakeSoft etc) throw in with the kernel to make it more functional. A Kernel on its own wouldnt do you much good at all..! You'd need applications, such as a GUI, Email Client, Web-Browser, Media Player etc. Most Distro's (Fedora and SuSE are good examples) come with more than enough software for people just starting out. That's something that I love so much about Linux, is that there's so many options (Sometimes too many albeit) to choose from in the Software category! Its really great! To answer some of your first questions: Should/Shouldnt you... It depends on if you're happy with Windows. If you are, and dont want to try something new, then dont bother. If you're like me, then Windows wasnt able to provide what you wanted out of a Computer, and I was more than happy to get down and dirty with the "nuts and bolts" of Linux almost right away. Admittedly a lot of people dont _need_ an operating system setup like mine, but that's alright, if you stick with Fedora Linux for the rest of your life, then good on ya! Advantages/Disadvantages... This could start a real doozy of a thread, but I'll run through some of the main/most common ones: Choices everywhere - With Linux you have so much choice, for Media Players, Email applications, Text editors.. Take ya pick, theres TONS of them, almost all will be freely available online! Viruses - Ive been using Linux for 9 months now... Havent run Anti-virus software since ;-) Support - Linux has the best support around, with almost all users being the friendliest bunch of people, Almost always willing to help Community - linux is all about working together. If you have a suggestion for a piece of software, email it to the author and see if they like your idea or not Software base - While there's a lot of applications out there, sometimes you just cant get away from a Windows-specific application you need to run. Luckily, WINE comes in to help there, and lets you run a lot of Windows apps using WINE. Differences - Linux has its fair share, and there's no point looking into Linux thinking its a Free version of Windows with precious little differences. Its different. If you want Free windows, look up ReactOS. I hope this has provided a little more insight for you :-) Cheers Chill. |
Chilling_Silently (228) | ||
| 201719 | 2003-12-19 12:18:00 | Thanks for that insight Chill,appreciated it,and yes I`m always willing to have a look at something new.....have a good Xmas. Cheers DD. |
dumdum (4965) | ||
| 201720 | 2003-12-19 12:58:00 | That was very well put Chilling >Viruses - Ive been using Linux for 9 months now... Havent run Anti-virus >software since I have run Linux for about two years without a virus problem and with no anti_ virus although I understand Grisoft have come out with a Linux version so will use that. |
mikebartnz (21) | ||
| 201721 | 2003-12-19 13:46:00 | Yeah, Grisoft have. F-Prot offer a Linux version, Protects against 312 Linux viruses or a number close to that... Protects against over 10,000 Windows Viruses. I must say you're more likely to fall victim to an out-of-date kernel (as the Debian and Gentoo mirrors did) than a Virus IMHO! I cant wait for Gentoo to put out kernel-2.6 ebuilds! Just keep in mind though that linux isnt invincible to viruses, but the way that Linux is (with File-permissions of /home, and the diversity of software etc) means its less likely to be a target!! |
Chilling_Silently (228) | ||
| 1 2 | |||||