Finally, Linux With a Lot Less Fuss

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Finally, Linux With a Lot Less Fuss

By Rob Pegoraro (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48924-2002Nov27?language=printer)

Sunday, December 1, 2002; Page H07

Over the past few weeks, I've installed Linux on three computers without breaking into fits of cursing. That's a novel development in my experience with this open-source operating system.

The version I've been using is Red Hat Linux 8.0, shipped by Raleigh, N.C.-based Red Hat in late September. This is the first Linux distribution I've tried that hasn't made me feel as if I'm about to step on a rake and have its handle swing into my face.

Parts of this are still infuriatingly convoluted, but if you've been thinking about trying out Linux on part of your hard drive -- or about dumping Windows entirely -- this is what I'd recommend.

Why would you want to do that?

One, Linux is cheap or free -- your choice. The personal edition of Red Hat 8 sells for $40 in stores, or you can download three CDs' worth at no charge http://www.redhat.com Nearly all Linux programs are also free to use.

So you prefer redhat over some of the other installations?

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Atomic I've never used Linux becuase I have heard the horror stories regarding installation. It looks like some of the installation issues are being addressed and I may try it in the future.

Can you install Linux on a PC that has WIN2K or XP and do the dual boot function??

yes you can, but only on a separate partition. better if you have 2 partitions available for the install.

[Rhino]

....or get a copy of System Commander. Win2K and XP have developed somewhat of a recent history of corrupting each other even when on separate partitions, unless you use another physical drive. It's not supposed to work that way, but I learned long ago not to expect stuff from Microsoft to work the way it's supposed to.

[Peachdiane]

I don't know.... I've had major trouble with Red Hat. The installation program would crash when it encountered partitions of either HPFS or NTFS. I tried to get around this crashing bug by getting the new installation boot images available. Red Hat just finally went /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon128.gif

I just put on Lindows (http://www.lindows.com) yesterday. So far, so good.

Diane

Hey, keep us posted on it's performance! Wally World is selling Lindows machines for 200 bux!

[Peachdiane]

Well so far so good. I've been running it for a few days and no crashes yet! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

software bundles??

[Keith J]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />

I don't know.... I've had major trouble with Red Hat. The installation program would crash when it encountered partitions of either HPFS or NTFS. I tried to get around this crashing bug by getting the new installation boot images available. Red Hat just finally went

[/ QUOTE ]

Am I to believe that having an HPFS partition you are a user of OS/2???

Cool, I thought I was the only one... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon16.gif

[Peachdiane]

Sorry ALS, I unloaded Lindows. IMO it alternates between offering too little and too much. It was just a fun run to try out. I did like the software "Wine" though. Wine fools many Windows programs into running under Linux. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Keith, WTG. I've been dabbling in computers since the old Commodore64/Apple II days. I even remember the old VAX machines. There was a time when Solaris, Windows, Linux, Mac and OS/2 were pretty much daily fare.

Having said all that, OS/2 still has the upper hand over Linux in it's capability and ease of use. The tech guys at work groan because "it's not the hip one to use." And they revel in pointing out flaws. Ok, I believe every platform has its strengths and weaknesses, but on average, OS/2 multitasks and performs just as well as, or even better than, most desktops operating out there. But then you already knew that, didn't you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Keith J]

Yes, I knew about the multitasking of OS/2. Its on my home system. You know what is interesting? Back in my OS/2 days, I used Hummingbird Exceed to serve as my X-Windows client so I didn't have to wait for a Sun SPARC terminal at the university. Did my homework at home...

Now my new job has me using the same product (only on a Win2k machine). There is talk of going over to all Unix in engineering which has me giddy as I would have my own box!

I'd like to try WINE out for an application on a laptop. The program is very simple and runs on Win 95 OS with a 486 as a minimum processor. I have Win 98 on the machine and it takes FOR EVER to boot.

Take care &amp; thanks.

kj