Posted on 12/04/2004 7:55:35 PM PST by stainlessbanner
Linux software maker Xandros has joined the growing number of open source software offerings on PC desktops at Wal-Mart's online store. Like other PCs available from Wal-Mart, the Xandros-powered systems don't come with a monitor, and range in price from US $200 to $600.
The Xandros-powered PCs have 1.5 to 3 GHz AMD processors along with 128 to 256 MB of memory, CD-ROM or CD-RW-DVD-combo drives, 40 to 80 GB hard drives, and a comprehensive set of software based on Xandros Desktop Standard Edition v2.0.
In 2002, Wal-Mart introduced PCs with Linux preloaded from "white box" manufacturer Microtel. Walmart.com also sells the systems with desktop Linux software from Novell (SuSE), Lycoris, Lindows, and Linare. Linux market leader Red Hat rolled out Linux PCs early last year in Wal-Mart-backed Sam's Club member warehouses starting at US $300.
Last summer Xandros released a free download of its desktop Linux OS. The Xandros Open Circulation edition is freely available for download from the company's website.
To clarify a bit, the graphics studios use Linux servers for the rendering farm, not generally to create the graphics, though, that too is changing.
Perhaps, but folks buying used PC's loaded with heavily mangled Windows 95 is no picnic, either.
Windows is fine. If you follow the simple rule that no one gives you anything for free. So when you get that pop-up on the Internet that says it will do something really cool, help your male performance or save you a lot of money if you just click here, you should not click there.
Otherwise all the fixes that everyone describes wouldn't be necessary.
But, it's human nature to foul it up. My buddy has his computer beside his front window. He was having trouble with a spy ware program called weather bug. I asked him why he installed it on his computer. He said so he would know the weather. Again, it was by his front window! If he wanted to know the weather, he should look out the window!
Spam is worst by an order of magnitude. And that's independent of platform.
The new user should by the Dell and Norton and not worry about it.
I have it on my old laptop. Great Debian distro - looks like Windows with a lot of relabeled icons, easy for a newbie to get working on Linux. A breeze to download and set up software. Once people try it, they won't want to go back to Windows.
On the Mac there's a huge amount of software for sound and graphic work, and Apple has bought some really first-class software such as Final Cut Pro and Magic that now run only on the Mac.
On Linux, you're right.
Hope that helps.
D
I know people rave about UNIX's based Mac. But its expensive and tied to a proprietary brand. Whereas Linux is open source, can be installed on ANY Pentium based computer and is just as stable.
I was really directing that at Fat City, but I thought you'd find the comments on the Wal*Mart PC interesting.
I think it's better to send mainstream computer users to the Mac because it's a lot more usable for them, and the available commercial/GUI software is higher quality.
You can get a lot more bang for the buck on the PC/Linux side, but only if you know what you're doing.
Personally, I like owning a Mac because I appreciate the often subtle advantages of owning a designer computer. It just looks and works better, and that makes it easier for me to spend long, long days in front of it. If you appreciate good design, it's worth the money. If you don't, you're better off with PCs running Linux, as you said.
D
You should try Knoppix. It boots from CD, runs from RAM, and does not require installation to your hard drive. It will not disturb your current operating system in any way.
You need to download an ISO image from a mirror site, and burn it to CD.
If you need software to burn the ISO image, CDBurnerXP Pro is free and works great. It is every bit as good as Roxio CD Creator 5.
That is something that I wanted to know. I do play computer games, (Civilization, Tropico, Age of Empires, Stronghold and the City Builders Series) and I was not sure if I could continue to play them on Linux. If I can't then I will stick with XP which is stable if a little oversized.
The Knoppix PCGH-Edition for games is being released tomorrow.
This verion of Linux boots from CD, runs in RAM, does not require installation on your hard drive and does not disturb your current PC configuration in any way.
I agree completely with you.
The way I see it, a Mac is a comfortable and durable shoe, though expensive. Bottom line is, if you have to walk a long distance, there is no substitute for comfortable and durable.
Cheap may save you money, but mangle your feet. (with cheap computers, it is your psyche, available time or productivity that gets shredded...:)
That said, there are plenty of people who have the know-how and initiative to turn a cheap piece of equipment into something usable and functional. They are fortunate, indeed. That is a great skill set to have.
Suse is pretty nice too. I built a desktop for the soundbooth in my Church. Lots of great free software.
It all began when Standard Oil (NJ) became Exxon, circa 1960.
So does this mean that Wal-Mart is okay now?
Oh, I have the skill set - I used primarily Linux and Irix (another kind of Unix) before switching to the Mac. When MacOS X came out, I was able to reduce the number of active desktop computers in my house from two (MacOS and Linux or SGI) to one (MacOS X only).
The bottom line is that if you have the money for tailored shoes, and walking is your profession, you can and probably should spend the bucks :-).
D
I envy you your domain name. It's 'amazing' you haven't sold it!
I love all computers (see my page). I have been working with Linux in a controlled corporate environment lately. That has been interesting. No X-windows environment permitted. All command line with ssh. Takes me back to my youth. I'm actually enjoying it.
I think we agree...:)
Talon, I'd be interested in hearing details of what you did. I'm looking at concepts for sound system support for our church congregations (multiple). I currently run SuSE 9.1 & 8.2 on my home network.
Any tips on good related software?
Now that is good news. CinePaint. Interesting.
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