[Sussex] from a green Linux explorer

[Desmond Armstrong]

I was just listening to the Radio this morning on Bill Gates, it really 
is a story of grabbing business opportunity. Exploitation of software 
writers who only want a living. While up till that time software was 
free, as it it is now with Linux. Of course BG never ever wrote a line 
of code himself, he bought QDOS from Tim Paterson for just $50,000 in 
1981 and called it MSDOS and turned it into billions. However what a 
legacy, he deserves credit for getting the ball rolling but he was 
totally blind to search engines, internet and browsers. In fact he stood 
up in 1992 and said 'nobody wants to use the internet'. I had been using 
the internet back in the early 70's in my work.
And what a legacy - viruses, spam etc.

So despite this glitch in the development path, Linux as we have it 
today is becoming superbly well polished and satisfying to use, it just 
works without the frustration.

As to installation, it is easier to install a modern Linux than it is to 
install Windows, it takes less time and is much more complete, the other 
path requires you to go to PCWorld wallet in hand to purchase at high 
prices the essential software.
>
> I started with Freespire, but there are several issues like printing 
> via my print server, getting the computer to record sound from the 
> sound card, which work fine with Windows, but seem to be complicated 
> to get working under Linux, the support I have sought, through 
> searching user manuals, online documentation and posting to forums has 
> been very thin and inconclusive
>
Freespire is about the worst you can go with, it encourages insecure 
practices and is a poor introduction. My first was Redhat4. but then in 
those days we only had dial-up internet.
> next up is Mandriva Spring 2008, not yet installed, but I have the DVD!
>
With the full version of Mandriva 2008.1 (Spring) the installation is 
normally pretty smooth. Of course there is always lots to learn.
The major choice is Mandriva or Ubuntu, both are superb but as you know 
I am very enthusiastic about Mandriva.

> but my journey so far has thrown up several frustrations - is it worth 
> me continuing with setting up Linux? I have no knowledge yet of 
> commands, which you seem to need to get programs installed and working 
> under Linux, and I haven't been able to find a simple introduction, 
> everything I've read so far is too technical and way above my head - 
> how can I get aquainted with working Linux as an alternative to Windows?
>
It certainly is worth your while to learn. The book that I suggest is 
'Linux for Dummies' 2007 edition (£19.99 or £11.99 from Amazon). This 
book is written around fedora but applies also to Mandriva except that 
the control panel is different. This book is readable and does provide 
reference, it also has a good chapter on OpenOffice.

If my experience is typical you will end up reinstalling at least 3 
times but enjoy the journey.