[Herts] Questions.

[Andrew Porter]

Steve

Your comments are consistent with the general recommendations that I 
have received from work colleagues, that is, Q-Tek did not provide the 
full set up they should have, and Ubuntu would have been a better 
introduction to Linux. Apparently, it is notably better in detecting the 
dual boot Windows element, and able to extract the Internet settings 
information, etc. As for the Lexmark printer, I have found that Lexmark 
do provide driver software compatible with SuSE Linux and other Linux 
operating systems, therefore, once SuSE Linux is set up correctly, it 
should be a straight forward process to down load the software. Suffice 
to say, help received from Lexmark with Windows Vista was really 
comprehensive, easy to understand and follow. The bad bit was trying to 
stop Windows Vista automatically overriding the correct driver software! 
Put it this way, Vista is my first ever Microsoft purchase, and will be 
the last.

I must add that rather than feeling that my experience with Linux has 
been bad, or possibly frustrating, I suspect that this has more to do 
with Q-Tek not preforming the installation requested completely, 
possibly because they are not familiar with Linux installations. Being 
new to Linux myself means that I was unable to detect that this issue 
was applicable, therefore, I am reluctant to blame Linux as being at 
fault. In fact, I remain very keen to have a Linux operating system as 
my prime operating system, and only use Microsoft products as a last 
resort for those increasingly less common elements that require a 
Microsoft operating system. Even within my Microsoft system I use Open 
Office, etc., and have found this better than Microsoft Office.

Yes, operating a Linux system from a DVD does work, and this is one 
method, possibly, of testing Ubuntu, before installing over SuSE Linux. 
The live DVDs I have are those intended to allow the user to run a Linux 
system from a DVD, without endangering the computer's existing operating 
system. If it works well, then the option exists to provide an 
installation. As my computer is already a dual boot system, with a 50% 
partitioned hard drive means that the process should be relatively 
simple, provided that I over write the correct half of the hard drive! 
However, I know that the Windows side is a FAT32 or NTFS system, and 
SuSE Linus should be EXT 2 or EXT 3 so that the risk of deleting the 
Windows system in error is low. Even if I did, I have an external hard 
drive used as a full back up of the Windows Vista system, all the 
documents, files, etc.

As for bringing in my computer, the answer is yes. However, I am may 
miss this month's meeting, I as I am due to be in France on a business 
trip. Suffice to say, being in the minority as an Analogue Design 
Engineer at work means high demands upon my time at work!

Enjoy your Easter break, whilst I look forward to eliminating my initial 
frustrations with SuSE Linux, where SuSE Linux, itself, is not the cause 
of the problem.

Regards

Andrew Porter

PS. I have been advised that SuSE Linux is biased towards office 
applications, therefore, a Local Area Network. This make explain why 
Ubuntu is regarded as a better option for the home user.

On 02/04/2010 12:37, Steve Clark wrote:
> On Wednesday 31 Mar 2010 21:22:22 Andrew Porter wrote:
>    
>> 4. Is Linux your main OS?
>>
>>   It was intended to be, but I have failed, so far, to get the system to
>>   recognise the DVD drive, the printer, and connect to the Internet. Books,
>>   etc., have not been of any help, as they assume that all that is needed has
>>   already been established, reference the DVD drive recognition, printer,
>>   Internet connection and settings. The information sources are intended to
>>   provide guidance once all that is needed is in place and working.
>>      
> I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad experience with Linux so far. I think
> that back in the old days (a few years ago) I too found it tricky to get
> everything working, but my recent experience, mostly with Ubuntu, has been
> that it 'just works'. I've plugged in a webcam, Bluetooth adaptor and scanner
> and had them working without any extra drivers or even editing of
> configuration files.
>
> You say you've tried SUSE, which I haven't used. Have you tried other distros?
> Have you tried live CDs? Can you bring the PC to a meeting so we can try and
> help?
>
>    
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