Posted on 03/29/2007 6:22:16 AM PDT by GeorgiaDawg32
I wonder if recompiling your own kernel or updating to a new kernel voids that support.
The problem with Linux is that is is always changing and being patched, and all the different minor revs and all the different patches tend to make for a support nightmare.
Linux works wonderfully once you get it working, and the preinstalled version should suit most people very well.
However, once people start playing with it, or they are forced to upgrade to a new kernel to get some add-on board to work, things can get ugly quickly for the less advanced user.
That is not to say that Linux doesn't suit many people's purposes very well.
I can just understand why a company like Dell might want to offer a computer with no OS loaded rather than offer one with a preloaded, supported version of Linux.
I guess if they sell a distribution that includes support by partnering with someone like Red Hat, they shift a large portion of the support issues to them.
However, they will never be able to shift all of them, because many times when problems arise, it is hard to tell if it is the hardware or software that is causing the problem.
On my 2 Dell PCs at home, I stripped off ME & XP and run Win 2000 Pro. It is probably the last good O/S Microsoft put out.
It is the only way they will be able to sell it once operator experiences get out in public. My neighbor returned a new laptop loaded with Vista, and demanded WXP. It was "not available" at or by the store so she cancelled the sale. The laptop had 512 Meg of RAM. Trying to use the machine was agonizing..plus all the dialog boxes at every step. There is nothing bad enough I can say about it, and this does not even go near the Rights Management issues-an entirely different discussion.
Utter Hate at first sight.
If Dell runs a preload of Linux this argument goes right out the window.
I think there is "selling" and "selling".
Are they going to stick these Linux PC's up near the front of their (virtual) store, promote them aggressively and actively support them?
Or are they going to be stuck in the back of the (virtual) store and you have to jump through all sorts of hoops just to see one?
I suspect the latter is closer to what will eventually transpire, but let's see. If it's the former, that could be hugh.
Agreed. Win2K is stable and reliable.
"This is great news. At this point, the biggest challenge in running Linux on a new computer is having all the proper drivers. If Dell will preload, that will be taken care of.
I have been setting up a Dimension E521 "
I have run it on my Dell Inspiron for the last year without a hitch. Ubuntu - everything works except the card reader which is proprietary. Wireless, sound, graphics, even got the front media buttons working to control volume, play, pause, etc.
"My youngest just bought a Mac laptop for college. Our salesman told us about a customer that bought a PC with Vista, hated it, returned it. He then came in and bought a Mac."
LOL - he's a sales guy and prob makes a better margin on the Mac. ;)
I have used Vista, it's just fine. I am a unix and windoes guy and find macos to be annoying, as were previous versions.
" The problem with Linux is that is is always changing and being patched, and all the different minor revs and all the different patches tend to make for a support nightmare."
Most modern Linux have auto-update features that work just fine.
"However, once people start playing with it, or they are forced to upgrade to a new kernel to get some add-on board to work, things can get ugly quickly for the less advanced user"
Not necessary - that's what a Loadable Kernel Module is for. Think of a LKM as a driver, though it can be much more. Even the kernel can be updated with the autoupdate features.
PC Connection is still advertising a few Dell desktops with pre-loaded XP.
I set up an old 733 mhz machine as a dual boot Mepis Linux machine. While I consider myself an "average" user, loading and setting up Mepis was really simple and fast...I can even do online banking in Linux, which is far safer than Windows. I now find myself using Linux about 90 percent of the time. Some of the online forums are very helpful for any problems that occur.
Just upgraded to XP from ME with a new machine. Talk about being reborn.
Vista's gonna have to wait till this puter blows up. :-)
Same for the Office 2000 I'm running.
Given that, what is my motivation to upgrade to Vista? Absolutely none!
But, the day will come. I'll decide to buy a new desktop or a new notebook and Vista will be the "only" choice from the manufacturer.
At that point I'll probably switch to Linux or maybe buy a Mac.
I'm really tired of Bill Gates having the gall to feel he has the right to control every aspect of my computing experience.
Kiss off Mr. Gates!
Linux ping.
I probably won't be in the market for a new PC for several more years, but I'm already contemplating a mac for my next one..
People are getting fed up with Microsloth's arrogance and ramshackle products. I know I am, anyway - in terms of responsiveness the computer I'm using today is little better than one from 10 years ago, despite having a processor 20 or 30 times faster and a similar margin in RAM and HDD space. Part of the problem is that HDDs haven't gotten similary faster, but a big part of the problem is bloat in Microsoft's OS, browser, and applications. And it's mostly bloat that doesn't provide any real benefits to the user.
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