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| Thread ID: 54706 | 2005-02-20 00:12:00 | Linux Now Easier To Use Than Windows? | vinref (6194) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 326583 | 2005-02-20 04:22:00 | If you put things on an even keel, and have two desktop computers supplied with a running OS of Windows or Linux, then there shouldn't be much difference between the two for ease of use. This of course depends upon the persons needs, for emailing, surfing the net and doing office documents against a gamer who unfortunately doesn't have native Linux versions for most if not all, popular games. Most Window users won't be sticking their noses into the registry, or other system files, and under Linux there shouldn't be any reason to go digging around in root for the same reasons. There are plenty of GUI's for most tasks. Some of the commercial versions of Linux distros such as Xandros, Lycoris and SuSE supply support and commercial drivers for most hardware. If a system is sold with a preinstalled Linux OS, then you can be sure that the hardware is well supported with drivers etc. Dell and HP are selling desktops and laptops preinstalled with Linux now overseas. NZ's market is too small for such items to be sold here .... so far. But I am guessing in time as people are getting more frustrated with Windows and start to look elsewhere, there will be more Linux systems available in NZ. There have been lots of reports over the last 12 months of large government agencies moving from Windows to Linux as a business desktop which must mean it can be a easy to use OS. So I wouldn't say 100% that is easier to use than Windows and having an existing familiarity with Windows goes against Linux as it brings certain expectations, but it is surely getting there real fast! It will be really interesting what the next two years or so brings with the introduction of Longhorn and its price and other *features* it will bring. Having a choice is a good thing, whatever way you look at it. :) There will always be the Linux distro's which are targetted at the more techno geeks and these of course would not make suitable home user desktop distro's. It all comes down to having a choice at least, and if you are using whatever OS fully suits your needs, whether Windows, Linux or a Mac OS then that is the right choice for you. For me it is Linux hands down. :) |
Jen (38) | ||
| 326584 | 2005-02-20 05:13:00 | It all depends on what your perception is of easy to use. For someone that has spent their whole life using Windows (with the Start button), their idea of easy to use will be something that works just like Windows does. Any of the big install-and-go distributions are going to be fine for the person that just uses email. We're talking about the kind of people that refer to "The Hard Drive" or "The CPU" when in actual fact referring to the System Unit (aka, Magic Box, Case and Contents, etc). Drivers and hardware support doesn't really come into it for them, because the system comes running the OS in the first place and they use it until it dies. The only problem will be when they decide to buy a NetGuide or similar and things dont' work, but all the magazines are getting more Linux Friendly at the moment, some of them a little too Linux Friendly in my opinion. In a lot of cases the operating system is irrelevant, the software is what matters. One of the main things that makes me stick to Windows is the software that I like to use, is only available on Windows. foobar2000, Trillian, DC++, Microsoft Office. Also because Windows is free (polytech agreement) . |
Jeremy (1197) | ||
| 326585 | 2005-02-20 05:52:00 | Dell and HP are selling desktops and laptops preinstalled with Linux now overseas. NZ's market is too small for such items to be sold here .... so far. But I am guessing in time as people are getting more frustrated with Windows and start to look elsewhere, there will be more Linux systems available in NZ. I should add comment that computers are being sold with Linux in this tiny pair of islands. My laptop was sold with "no operating system" but happened to have a copy of knoppix left in the CD drive. Tricky Dicky were selling systems with Linux preinstalled for a while. Its only time before this becomes more common place. :D |
personthingy (1670) | ||
| 326586 | 2005-02-20 06:15:00 | If you put things on an even keel, and have two desktop computers supplied with a running OS of Windows or Linux, then there shouldn't be much difference between the two for ease of use. This of course depends upon the persons needs, for emailing, surfing the net and doing office documents against a gamer who unfortunately doesn't have native Linux versions for most if not all, popular games. Most Window users won't be sticking their noses into the registry, or other system files, and under Linux there shouldn't be any reason to go digging around in root for the same reasons. There are plenty of GUI's for most tasks. As you say Jen, there's now very little difference between preinstalled OS's. Most peoples usage will not require them to have anthing that does not have a Linux equivalent just as good if not better, most linux productivity app's will talk to and save in Windows formats even if the favour is not returned. The only kicker is games, everything else works fine, unless your like me and not content to leave well enough alone. |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 326587 | 2005-02-20 06:28:00 | i sure hope more and more games become optimized and more compatablile with linux,once it is, ill probably making the swap over | Prescott (11) | ||
| 326588 | 2005-02-20 06:34:00 | pssst : Cedega (http://transgaming.com) Yeah, It maynot be Completely free, But it works like a treat. Shure it doesnt run ALL games perfectly, but It runs Call Of Duty fine. I have not been sucsessful getting FarCry working though. Cedega is free if you get the cvs version and compile it, or it costs 30 Usd per 6mnths for a subscription, Wich included point to play and cedega. And free updates for the subscription period. |
ILikeLinux (1669) | ||
| 326589 | 2005-02-20 06:40:00 | wicked :thumbs: | Prescott (11) | ||
| 326590 | 2005-02-20 06:44:00 | Jen and Jeremy have brought some balance into this discussion. Most Windows users seem to find "learning" Linux a bit of a chore, but have you all forgotten what a chore it was when you first had to learn Windows ? Just look at all the stuff in this Forum where folk (mostly more tuned up than many home users) can't get Windows to do something ? Struggle on, people ! Cheers Tony |
TonyF (246) | ||
| 326591 | 2005-02-20 06:57:00 | I have seen new Computers advertised with Linux installed in NZ, it's good to see another option available. It gets a bit confusing from outside, with all the various distros argued about but thanks Jen et al for some straight information. Having the option of running something else on the neglected windows box is great. I can't say it will ever replace my Mac though :) |
Sue (33) | ||
| 326592 | 2005-02-20 07:04:00 | My viewpoint was rather how easy it is for people to pick up the simplistic file structure of Windows. My Documents= Personal files. My Computer>Drive icons A= Floppy D=CD C Drive> Program files,windows folder,User settings. Pretty simple stuff to understand, Once they have copy-paste,make new folder,delete, down pat then a new user is good to go, Armed with enough skill to make good use of their comp. Same goes for drivers and installing programs,Its simple enough to explain over the phone, simple concept, simple actions,and not much more to it if it goes wrong. As for Linux....well......If the Tech suport I have seen for users all over the net is indicative of what needs to be done to keep her sweet...... |
Metla (12) | ||
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