Nick Farrell: Linux almost desktop read

[Ludi]

I don't know exactly why but The Inquirer is talking a lot about Linux these days (Dell effect?). I've seen (cr_p) reviews many times there but that one surprised me:

FreeSpire
I chose this one because it does not have same problems that some of the others have about downloading software you might actually use, but fall foul of being truly Open Sauce. This truly stupid stance nobbled a lot of different Linux disks I tried and by the time I tried Freespire I really wanted to see something do something useful like play a movie. Freespire looked like a well dressed version of Windows so I installed it. Like Windows it wiped the entire hard-drive including the sector that would have contained all my Windows folders. This was partly my fault. Freespire, which touts itself as being user friendly gave me a choice, either install Freespire on partition or do something incomprehensible involving some file manager. I made the mistake of thinking that Freespire would only install itself over the Linux partition when in fact it had designs on the whole hard-drive. No matter, I had backed things up so all was well. Once installed, however, Freespire managed to play my movies but was a dog in every other respect. It was too slow.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37913 (read the full article).

[andy.w]

Good read and I think quite fair.

[Linuxratty]

Too slow? Good grief,not on my machine.

[ppetit55]

Too slow? Good grief,not on my machine.
He doesn't say anything about what kind of machine he's using, or how much RAM, etc. He also doesn't make clear What is too slow, or what his standards are.
Still, an interesting article.

[Linuxratty]

He doesn't say anything about what kind of machine he's using, or how much RAM, etc. He also doesn't make clear What is too slow, or what his standards are.
Still, an interesting article.

Well,yeah,thats so tru And yes,it was interesting.

[deanlinkous]

I thought it was a poor article. When you go looking for stuff to complain about - you usually manage to find it. Once again someone compares linux rough spots to windows smooth spots.

I do agree he should stick with windows. In fact, if he never used linux or evaluated it for desktop use again I would be very happy.

[JDoyle]

When you go looking for stuff to complain about - you usually manage to find it.Interesting thought. :cool:

JD

[DrHu]

I am going to get shedloads of hate mail from those who will say they managed to install PCLinux, Mepis and Freespire without any problems. Yeah, but if my problems were only one in a 100 imagine where you would be if Linux on the desktop took off and you had millions of users.
This is the old chicken and egg problem, it also (btw) affects windows, if they want to present some application or feature and it is not ready for prime time due to lack of industry support...

Best example I can think of, is TV over the internet, there may be some TV connections like tivo or others that offer some features you might find useful, but if the larger part of the industry does not adopt or support it, there are problems..(that is, assuming that the mythical consumer really needs it at all!)
VHS vs Beta tape formats

If Linux had millions of users (it probably does already), he means if Linux was a product and a platform that could be bought in retail by millions of consumers (users), there would be problems of adaptability.
--which would be overcome

Perhaps he has already forgotton about Microsoft BOB, or IPTV (Internet TV) or various other ventures that have come and gone.
--I am sure xbox is still losing money on ever box sold

Next we will have the fight between BluRay dvd and hddvd dvd, which will the movie studios choose or will they support both, just like they provide Sony playstation UMD dvd
http://www.blu-ray.com/info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD
http://wiki.neurostechnology.com/index.php/UMD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob
http://www.microsoft.com/tv/IPTVEdition.mspx

[TekMate]

The biggest issue I had was he doesn't mention how long he tested. If I install Windows and it doesn't see my sound card how long do I give it before I say Windows is flawed?

[hqlinux]

It's just one man's opinion, and as we all know, opinions are like buttock orifices... everyone has one :rolleyes:;):D:eek:

Harvey

[deanlinkous]

Interesting thought. :cool:

JD
touche'

[deanlinkous]

Some people think GNU+Linux has to measure up to windows and if it cannot then it is not ready for the desktop or usable or whatever. For me windows has yet to live up to GNU+Linux. If windows did measure up (and free software wasn't my fav feature) then I would be using windows.

I find it hard to believe the sound card issue could of been much of anything if other linux(s) had no problem with it. I wonder if he knows what a mixer is?

[Commander_Keen]

Here is what I do not under stand. You have one product where two people have complete and totall different experience.

Kevin posted this: (http://www.techbuilder.org/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=196602945&pgno=1&queryText=) Not to long ago.

[deanlinkous]

perception is a personal issue :D

[ppetit55]

Reality is subjective.

[TekMate]

Here is what I do not under stand. You have one product where two people have complete and totall different experience.

Kevin posted this: (http://www.techbuilder.org/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=196602945&pgno=1&queryText=) Not to long ago.

What works for one person doesn't work for someone else.

[deanlinkous]

my trash is your treasure?

[ppetit55]

my trash is your treasure?
Unlikely.

[TekMate]

my trash is your treasure?

I'm not above going through your trash. :D
I just found a fully functional 400mhz celeron system nothing wrong with it. I gave it to a friend of mine who had a need for it.:cool:

[deanlinkous]

I guess the tactful way to state that would of been - Your trash is my treasure! :D

[Freedom]

Why do the putz call it Open Sauce?

[ppetit55]

It's a form or journalistic humor called sarcasm. Apparently he doesn't like them.

[deanlinkous]

just a pun, I kind of like it....

[TekMate]

just a pun, I kind of like it....

I prefer a nice alfredo sauce myself. :p

[Dr.Jones]

I prefer a nice alfredo sauce myself. :pMarinara is better for you :)...

[deanlinkous]

alfedo for me tooo!

free software is better for you too....DrJones! :D

[Dr.Jones]

free software is better for you too....DrJones! :DAnd I use lots of it every day (just need a dose of the junk food software every once in awhile :)...

[Linuxratty]

Oh the horror! I'm using it right now!:eek:

[deanlinkous]

And I use lots of it every day (just need a dose of the junk food software every once in awhile :)...
Touche' .........ouch........