[Ham-Computers] RE: "Live" Linux CD's, WAS: windows - linux

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Hi all,

Catching up on some older posts.  Here's a link to what is probably *the* definitive database of "live" Linux CD's.  Just about every live Linux distro is listed here as well as how large it is and it's targeted audience/function.  Sorted by "voted" popularity.

As Jeff mentioned, there *is* a learning curve to Linux.  I can navigate DOS, Windows, MacOS, Gnome, KDE, and some "large" system OS' (OS/MVS, OS/400, HP/MPE) quite readily, but put me in a BASH shell and I'm a fish out of water.  Well, not quite that bad, but it's like trying to use high-school spanish on a trip to Mexico.

What makes Linux so "great" is also one of it's downfalls.  Being open source, anyone (and everyone) can take the "kernel" and modify it to suit a particular need.  Unfortunately, these differences cause incompatibilites between distros.  Software vendors wish to "reduce" the number of platforms supported, so they won't release software for a particular platform/distro until there's enough demand for it.  Yes, there's a lot of *good* linux-based software for just about any particular function, but not many of the "major" players have released anything for Linux - to them, Linux is a small market with too many sub-segments (distros) to support.  Yes, it's short-sighted, but that's the way business works.

Many who use Linux are those who are sick of the "big gun" software vendors and their policies and EULA's.  But, remember that today's small companies might one day become "big guns" that end up protecting their work with more restrictive policies.  It's the nature of business.  As much as I'd like to switch to Linux, too much of the software I use on a day-to-day basis is Windows based.  And, running a Windows VM under Linux defeats the purpose of running Linux in the first place.  So, since Windows does everything I need it to, I'll stick to Windows for the time being.  One thing's definite though...Vista, in it's current form, is definitely out for me!


73,

  - Aaron, NN6O



-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 4:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] windows - linux

Ken wrote:
> Wonder if you might have a few moments to tell me some things about Linux?
> The more bad things I hear about MS, the more dis-enchanted I have become!

Welcome to the group.  The line gets longer as we type.  Vista was the last straw for many.


> What would be involved in cleaning MS out of a machine and intalling Linux?

The first thing you can do, if you want, is to download a distribution of linux that can also be used as a `live cd'.  You boot to it, linux detects your hardware and runs until you turn it off.  It doesn't disturb the hard drive at all.

There's a method of installing linux under Windows (wubi, I think) but I believe it's fundamentally flawed because Windows always becomes unstable and it will take linux with it.  It's like building an earthquake-proof building on a non earthquake-proof foundation.

Most, if not all versions of linux will allow you to boot and start right into installing, regardless of what's on the hard drive.  They'll also let you dual-boot with the existing operating system(s).

One benefit is that linux will run on older hardware much better.  It's not as resource-intensive (bloated) although you can bloat it up pretty nicely if you want to.

There are distros for low powered or low capacity systems (Puppy, Damn Small Linux) all the way up to fat, flesh eating displays that would make Windows users jealous :)

I have used PCLinuxOS, which was put together to be a less painful switch from Windows.  I've tried the small ones too.  My actual favorite   (and the one I use on my desktops+laptops) is Ubuntu.  It comes in three varieties - Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu.  They're all the same underlying code but the display (called the desktop) is different. Ubuntu comes with the Gnome desktop.  Kubuntu comes with the KDE desktop, which is full of bells, whistles, and eye candy.  I use Xubuntu, which comes with the XFCE desktop, which sucks way less horsepower from your pc but loses nothing in functionality.

You can install all three desktops (or more) and switch which one you use at login.


THERE IS A LEARNING CURVE.  Don't let anybody tell you there isn't.  But it comes more with hardware problems than actually operating.  I always had net access so I could look something up if I didn't understand it. People are very helpful.  Look for a local Linux Users Group (LUG).  They'll be happy to put in their two cents if you ask.

In essence, it can look so close to Windows that there shouldn't be a single problem operating it.  Desktop, taskbar, start button/menu, and programs.  As an experiment, I had several non linux fluent coworkers and family members try it out.  No one had a problem with it.  At work we occasionally put out a linux box when someone needs their computer repaired.  They have had no trouble with it (and some of them have IQ's approaching cardboard).

Give it a shot and let us know how you make out.  Ask questions.

-jeff