Linux Set to Challenge Windows on Desktop

Reuters | 1/12/2003 | Reed Stevenson

[A CA Guy]

Hey Spacebar, I was just backing up my system with a Frys cheapy. For $199 I got a new 800MHz with 128 meg of sd-ram, everything but a cd-rw which I had and will install.
I intend to play around with it for a while in the least, but wondered if it could run any programs that run on windows like office 2000 or Coral Draw?

The funny thing is the $199 computer is all I need to do everything. Gee, I guess I am paying $239 with my re-writable drive.

Now I own other MS Operating Systems that I may install if Linux is too limiting.
As someone that kind of fell into a computer sale on a computer with your system, what can't it do compared to Windows OS at this time?

[A CA Guy]

Thank You!

[DeFault User]

Thanks for the input. It was evident from my experience that KDE and Gnome were too much for the 486. I was familiar with Xenix (Unix flavor)that ran well even on a 386, handling 8 or more dumbterminals hanging on it, but no graphic interface. I have since rebuilt the old 486 with new motherboard, etc.--basically replaced everything but the power supply and the box.

I'll try Linux again, especially given the newer installations that recognize hardware better.

[DeFault User]

I did get Linux on the 486 and experienced much of the driver searches, etc. I had a dual boot with Windows. The memory hogs such as KDE affected the machine so that the Linux environment was slower than the Windows on that particular computer. (This was several years ago.)

I will try it again on better equipment because of previous experience with Unix and its stability.

[Sally II]

What? No mention of Lindows?

[dwollmann]

Most distributions try to cater to the broadest audience, that being folks who want to buy the package and install the whole shootin' match at once.

With that said, there are ways to start with minimal installs and then add packages as you go. Some distributions make this easier than others. Probably the easiest approach would be to visit debian.org and download the three- or four-diskette install set, write the diskette images to floppies, then follow the directions and do a network install off of one of the Debian mirror sites. That would cut your download requirements for a working system to a minimum, then you could fire up dselect and choose packages as you go.

[A CA Guy]

What is Lindows? In brief.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here is their website:

LINDOWS Home

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LindowsOS is a new, fun and exciting operating system that delivers the power, stability and cost-savings of Linux with the ease of a windows environment. LindowsOS is easy to experience because of its friendly graphical interface and support for popular Microsoft Windows file types (.doc, .xls, .ppt, .jpg, .gif, .mp3, etc.).

[SpaceBar]

I have a 486-33 DX in the other room. It has a stripped down slackware installation on it. It will dial and authenticate my isp on that line if my other machine running win2k dies. It is well tested and rock solid. I've posted to freerepublic from it using Pine. Great machine.

[krb]

I've posted to freerepublic from it using Pine.

How did you post using pine? I thought pine was a pop-3 email client.

[SpaceBar]

Pine is a text based email client available for generic unix, linux, win32, bsd and other platforms. I believe the University of Washington has the software copyright. Your mileage may vary.

[SpaceBar]

My mistake. I posted with Lynx. Probably time to get some REM sleep.

[krb]

Exactly my point. How did you post to Freerepublic with an email client?

[A CA Guy]

Well lets face it. Windows takes a long time to come up because it is loading everything but he kitchen sink. Even with the newer computers it takes forever to load. The only difference is the brain, memory and communication skills of the modern computer makes it less likely to crash.

I am posting with my 4-5 year old CTX 300MHZ computer with a 100mhz bus. It has a 500k buffer (a place to hold often used information for the computer) and that seems to make it operate pretty fast.

A friend bought me a computer at Frys for $199. It has much faster memory, a bigger brain by far and 6 times more hard drive than what I am typing to you on now.

I have a 386 in the other room running windows 3.1. It starts with a menu I created that lets it go to Dos or 3.1. 3.1 loads in a snap compared to modern windows. Even on that 386. It has a 5 and 1/4th drive. I didn't get rid of it because some of my friends have dos programs and run into trouble at times and that old computer comes in handy every 9 months or so.

I think there is hardly a difference between my P2 300mhz and some of the $5000 dollar computers I've been on at friends.

[A CA Guy]

Have a link to share with a buddy here or in his FR mail?

[A CA Guy]

Thanks, I missed this and asked for the link.

[A CA Guy]

$119? Lindows...surprising. What makes them worth $119?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here is a link to the WalMart $199.00 Computer System that has Lindows & Linux:

Microtel SYSMAR710 800 MHz PC with LindowsOS - $199.86

128 MB memory
10 GB hard drive
CD-ROM drive
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet connection
LindowsOS 2.0 operating system
Modem and floppy disk drive
are not included No Monitor either!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

$119? Lindows...surprising. What makes them worth $119?

Beats me, perhaps convience.

I am not a Linux knowledgable person, I did have training on AIX, but I was not skilled with it at all!