Isn't Now the Time to Try a Linux Desktop?

[dnar]

Opinion: The crackers currently have the whip hand over Windows, and Microsoft's assertion that Internet Explorer is now part of the operating system shows its flawed reasoning.

Worried sick about the latest rash of Internet Explorer security problems? I have the perfect solution for you, one that's even better than switching to Mozilla, Firefox or Opera. Switch operating systems: Go to Linux.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS.

The Microsoft apologists next cry about how if these alternative operating systems or open-source programs were as popular as Microsoft programs were, their users would be in just as much trouble.

Really? Let's look at the latest security news about Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft's fix for one of the latest Internet Explorer holes was to deactivate the broken part, ADODB.Stream. Some fix.

Link (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp)

[phil]

Hi dnar, hope you're well!

Currently running SUSE 9.1 Pro (X86-64) on my FX-51 and SK8V. I've had no real problems apart from getting the nvidia drivers up and running with my 6800GT. I finally got it running and all is sweet at 1600x1200. The entire system is fast as hell with this OS.

[dnar]

Sweet. :) nVidia... Erghhh. My HP lappie has onboard nVidia M340 video, I finally got 3D accel happening, buts it not straight forward. (I dont need 3D on my lappie, but hey, I'm a geek!).

I nearly tried Suse, the only thing that put me off was the dated packages. I am thriving on FC2 now, running a custom kernel you can find here (http://apt.bea.ki.se/kernel-desktop/). I have downloaded the Gentoo LiveCD ISO, thinking of trying it soon (and I have 512K ADSl now!!!). :) You still use Gentoo?

[MikeTimbers]

I installed Suse 9.1 on my NForce2 system and while the OS install went well, installing Firefox was a PITA. It's interesting but right now I don't have the time to work out how to use alternatives for all the things I do in Windows.

[phil]

Sweet. :) nVidia... Erghhh. My HP lappie has onboard nVidia M340 video, I finally got 3D accel happening, buts it not straight forward. (I dont need 3D on my lappie, but hey, I'm a geek!).

I nearly tried Suse, the only thing that put me off was the dated packages. I am thriving on FC2 now, running a custom kernel you can find here (http://apt.bea.ki.se/kernel-desktop/). I have downloaded the Gentoo LiveCD ISO, thinking of trying it soon (and I have 512K ADSl now!!!). :) You still use Gentoo?


'bout time you came into this century....sending data with 2 tin cups and a bit of string isn't that reliable :p.

Gentoo rocks and I will be re-installing it when I have a little time. I was given the SUSE 9.1 DVD which has the 32Bit install on side A and the 64Bit install on side B so it'd be rude not to see what it was like. I am now using it as my main OS but as mentioned, I will be going back to Gentoo, but this time in 64Bit.

[phil]

I installed Suse 9.1 on my NForce2 system and while the OS install went well, installing Firefox was a PITA. It's interesting but right now I don't have the time to work out how to use alternatives for all the things I do in Windows.

I have been in this situation for a long time now. I always find myself booting up Windows for something (transfering data to my GPS being the main reason). Linux has come a long way though in the last couple of years....I can actually print from my USB printer without having to do some weird voodoo configuring like I have previously.

I am using some pretty up-to-date hardware and the SUSE install recognised everything....from the on-board GBit Ethernet and Sound to my Mylex AcceleRaid 170 SCSI card. It installed first time to my SCSI RAID0 setup without so much as a hitch. As I mentioned, my 6800GT wasn't recognised as the included drivers were out of date. I just downloaded the nvidia installation script and ran it....it then downloaded the latest driver and compiled it automatically. All I had to do is restart the X-Server and it worked! Shame I had to change my Radeon 9700 Pro to nvidia just to get accelerated 3D. ATI need to get their act together on the driver front.