[dundee] jr@jriddell.org

[Fionnbar Lenihan]

There are places in the UK that sell computers with Linux pre-installed
(check out most issues of Linux Format) but most modern distros are
getting to be comparable with Windows in terms of hardware support so
"linux compatibility" is not a problem except maybe for laptops and for
very modern machines.

I've run Mandrake on my Dell Laptop since soon after I got it in 2000. 
While it was shiny and new the hardware support was a little bit
difficult but once a year had passed Linux support had caught up and now
installs are cup of tea jobs.

Moral would seem to be to buy a well specified machine a little behind
the bleeding edge.

One trick for seeing if a machine will run Linux is to boot it off a
bootable CD Rom like Knoppix.  This won't install anything to the hard
drive or make any changes so the vendor _may_ let you do this before you
buy.  If the machine boots Knoppix and all the bits seem to work (sound,
decent resolution on the monitor, USB thingies etc) then you could be
fairly sure a "regular" Linux distro will fare OK.

If you are not comfortable installing Linux then you may be able to get
someone to do it at an "installfest" or just by asking at your local
LUG.

Most Linux users are good about helping new folks and this is probably
the best support you could realistically hope for as an individual. 
That said it beats anything available for a commercial OS.

Please feel free to mail me off-list if you have any questions.  I'm not
far out of newbiehood myself and can sympathise.

Best of luck
Fionnbar


On Wed, 2004-04-28 at 13:58, Tru wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I was wondering whether there is  a computer store in Dundee that
> sells Linux compatible computers (and gives assistance) in Dundee
> or somewhere near like StAndrews, that you knew of. Can you help me?
> 
> Thanks very much.
> 
> best regards,
> Tru
> 
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