[Colonol Dekker]

E-mail from this week at work RE: standard issue Dell Laptops.

ACTION: Check your laptop battery today
Dell has identified a potential fire hazard with certain batteries in laptop models used by EY.  You must check the battery in your laptop immediately so that a replacement can be arranged, if necessary

[Kosh]

Howso? 

Lots of software doesn't work on it?

[Kazan]

Lots of software doesn't work on it?

and lots more does

for most of those that don't work in WINE

[Corsair]

I did look at the battery thing by the way. Yeah, the Dells have been exploding a bunch this summer but Apple recently ordered a huge recall of laptop batteries as well. So it goes.

Well thanks for all the input, guys. I'm gonna go with the Mac... I think it just makes more sense in terms of security and whatnot, I'm not too worried about compatibility, and I really do want to buy through the school because I'll get a good discount and get a lot of software at a great price. Plus it'll be all configured to the university network and whatever. I'm lazy. So sue me. Seriously though, thanks everybody for all their thoughts!

[Deepblue]

Whatever you do, don't become a machead or Jobs cultist.

[karajorma]

Yeah cause slavish devotion to a make or model of machine is a really bad thing.

[Bob-san]

The compadibility problems with Linux and your hardware are rapidly solved. Since Linux is open-source, programmers using a large range of machines are able to write additions for the Universe and Multiverse, which will make stuff compadible. It's usually only really outrageous stuff that doesn't work with Linux. Last time i checked, Intel mini-PCMCIA cards didn't work. I think they do now.

Dells are okay for low-range junk, but are just bad overall. Making your own desktop is the best way to get quality and features. There are too few laptop barebone kits... the ones that are available are from no-name wholesalers.

[Ferret]

Howso? 

Lots of software doesn't work on it?

I love it. "At the moment." Like you ever expect Windows software to work on it at all natively in the future? Come on.

[Mars]

Microsoft can keep their software, I don't like any of their games anyway. Considering how well everything works in WINE (with a few exceptions, but only things that aren't very importiant) I see no reason to go back to Windoze, the biggest problem with Linux is that not all games are natively compatible with it, and that seems to be changing.

[Bob-san]

For Linux, game porting is a life-saver. I can't wait to play FSO on my Ubuntu install...

[IceFire]

Howso? 

Lots of software doesn't work on it?

Such as?  Office?  OpenOffice works quite well.  I don't even have MS Office on my Windows machine.  There's pretty good alternatives to pretty much everything you can find on Windows.  I'm not a Linux fanboy...its got its problems and it took me a great deal of reading to make it work properly here (with SUSE) but its got its charms too.  Software isn't so much of a problem for the average user.  I could switch my mom tommorow to Ubuntu and she'd get along just fine as she had before.

[Kazan]

with SUSE

ewww... get fedora

[IceFire]

I'm not a unix power user...it seems that SUSE or Ubuntu are the distros I should stick with after quite a bit of research.  My SUSE install is actually toasted because I got a new video card and it no longer works.  Which is a disapointment that the system can't figure something out on its own.  When I get around to it, I have Ubuntu on CD which I'll install and see how that works.  People seem happy with it...even on Slashdot...and they are a bunch of cynics

[Mars]

OpenOffice works quite well.  I don't even have MS Office on my Windows machine.  There's pretty good alternatives to pretty much everything you can find on Windows.

Linux fanboy here! (just in case there was any doubt)

 The best part about open office is that you don't need to pay $75-$200 ($75 for the "sudent" edition) to upgrade to the newest version, even though it works just as well as Microsoft office, better in some ways.

[Kosh]

Howso? 

Lots of software doesn't work on it?

Such as?  Office?  OpenOffice works quite well.  I don't even have MS Office on my Windows machine.  There's pretty good alternatives to pretty much everything you can find on Windows.  I'm not a Linux fanboy...its got its problems and it took me a great deal of reading to make it work properly here (with SUSE) but its got its charms too.  Software isn't so much of a problem for the average user.  I could switch my mom tommorow to Ubuntu and she'd get along just fine as she had before.

What about games other than FSO?

[Kamikaze]

I love it. "At the moment." Like you ever expect Windows software to work on it at all natively in the future? Come on.

I find it odd that this is labeled a "compatibility problem". Since when does Windows have binary compatibility with any other system? It doesn't. It's not even posixy enough to port most applications to it. Comparatively, it's relatively simple to port any Linux application to FreeBSD or even Mac OS X. POSIX is a 20 year old standard. By any reasonable standard of compatibility, Unices in general seem to be far ahead.

There's also some kind of misconception here. Since when have the majority of *nix users wanted to run Windows software? There's a reason that it's called "GNU/Linux", and that's because the whole system was built on the premise of free software and its strengths. That's why there is a huge collection (Debian has at least 6000 IIRC) of free software for Linux distributions that are often much better than their proprietary/shareware/freeware counterparts. Hence I don't think binary compatibility with Windows, of all things, is a valid metric of anything other than how poorly Microsoft documents their APIs.

[IceFire]

Howso? 

Lots of software doesn't work on it?

Such as?  Office?  OpenOffice works quite well.  I don't even have MS Office on my Windows machine.  There's pretty good alternatives to pretty much everything you can find on Windows.  I'm not a Linux fanboy...its got its problems and it took me a great deal of reading to make it work properly here (with SUSE) but its got its charms too.  Software isn't so much of a problem for the average user.  I could switch my mom tommorow to Ubuntu and she'd get along just fine as she had before.

What about games other than FSO?

Games are about the only sticking point.  Even so...I know people running things like Pacific Fighters on WINE...and it works as well as or better than Windows on the same machine.  Thats not a perfect process and I understand it.  But not everyone plays games on their PC.  Some folks are pure console fantatics and their PC is for e-mail and websurfing.  If thats the case...there isn't one thing that Windows does that Linux distros can't do these days.  They can do it as well as or sometimes better.

For many people Linux would be a viable option for the activities they undertake.  The problem is adoption and it will remain so for quite some time.  Uptake is going to take a long time.  Meanwhile we have some very potent distributions these days that can appeal to the likes of me with a solid GUI, useful applications that aren't strictly scripting/programming oriented, and a process thats not so complex as to boggle my mind. 

All that said, still I find that Linux still requires more computery knowledge than Windows does. Windows is the OS for idiots and thats probably the best approach to take. MacOS is the OS for complete and utter idiots and thats even better.  Because honestly...I do tech support all day troubleshooting computer problems and when I get home I don't much feel like fighting another battle. Make the damned thing autodetect as much as it wants.  Hide the stuff under the hood please.  Linux is trying and winning at doing this but it doesn't do it as well as Windows.

Ideally...I'd like to see one or two well recognized Linux distros becoming more common place.  Picking up steam and momentum like Firefox (I realize I'm talking OS's here and not a web browser) has.  Hide most of the detailed stuff under the surface as much as possible but at the same time make sure its something that can be found.  My biggest problem with MacOS is that you don't get of ability to tweak it over time. Windows is not bad for that...it does expose some of the plumbing.  I'd like to see Linux follow that approach a little stronger...so that Unix/Linux command line structure under the surface is still there for the folks who want it.  For everyone else...there should never be a need to see a command line EVER.

You can debate the merits of this with me if you wish...but my philosophy on computing and humand interfaces is that people in general don't have the time, paitence, or wherewithall to understand technology so tech has to be so well designed so as to make sure that its really simple and not a chore at all to do.  But I also come from a perspective of wanting to look under the hood and tinker a bit.  And if thats who and what you are then there should be no restrictive power to do that either.  Linux has potential here for sharing that duality...we'll see how it progresses.

[Bob-san]

Agreed. Ubuntu is right now centre-stage for Linux distros. There are a few others that are popular, but Ubuntu makes a sleek shell and has the features for everone from novice to expert to use Ubuntu like they want.

Personally, I have 3 bars on my main screen of ubuntu. Top is for programs, bottom is for drive, right is for current computer usage (graphs on how much processor works, the current load, etc).

It is rather easy to use that distro, as it supports almost everything out-of-CD. It has OpenOffice on it, firefox, and about anything else you want or need! It comes with some basic games, and has burner software on it. If you are on the internet, search the Multiverse or Universe for everything else wanted. Most stuff works by autodetection, by using standards for hardware to identify the basic use of a hardware, and use it correctly. The only hardware problems are when companies enjoy making their hardware foreign to similar devices.

Hard Drives using IDE, SATA, and SCSI are usable quite easily. Flash Drives (identified with SCSI protocals) are almost all the same. Disc Drives using IDE or are external are used to their full capibility. I have a 8-month-old SuperMulti DVD burner from LG that runs off of USB2.0, and has no problems with Ubuntu.

Where are the problems? Mostly with Video Cards and damaged Mobos. Video Cards are from different technology generations. GeForce 6200 cards don't run the same as GeForce FX 5200 or GeForce 7300 cards. Each generation of technology differs in a way that require special drivers to be used properly. The same is for ATI cards.

Motherboards that become damaged are not supported during installation. My Intel mobo has a damaged DIMM slot, that prevented CentOS from installing.

[Mars]

Agreed. Ubuntu is right now centre-stage for Linux distros. There are a few others that are popular, but Ubuntu makes a sleek shell and has the features for everone from novice to expert to use Ubuntu like they want.

Personally, I have 3 bars on my main screen of ubuntu. Top is for programs, bottom is for drive, right is for current computer usage (graphs on how much processor works, the current load, etc).

It is rather easy to use that distro, as it supports almost everything out-of-CD. It has OpenOffice on it, firefox, and about anything else you want or need! It comes with some basic games, and has burner software on it. If you are on the internet, search the Multiverse or Universe for everything else wanted. Most stuff works by autodetection, by using standards for hardware to identify the basic use of a hardware, and use it correctly. The only hardware problems are when companies enjoy making their hardware foreign to similar devices.

Hard Drives using IDE, SATA, and SCSI are usable quite easily. Flash Drives (identified with SCSI protocals) are almost all the same. Disc Drives using IDE or are external are used to their full capibility. I have a 8-month-old SuperMulti DVD burner from LG that runs off of USB2.0, and has no problems with Ubuntu.

Where are the problems? Mostly with Video Cards and damaged Mobos. Video Cards are from different technology generations. GeForce 6200 cards don't run the same as GeForce FX 5200 or GeForce 7300 cards. Each generation of technology differs in a way that require special drivers to be used properly. The same is for ATI cards.

Motherboards that become damaged are not supported during installation. My Intel mobo has a damaged DIMM slot, that prevented CentOS from installing.

Only problems I had with Ubuntu out of the box were ATI drivers and fugly GNOME, both of which were fairly easy to deal with

[Bob-san]

Exactly! Fairly easy to get the OS to recognize your video card... It isn't a crippling problem, though it can be a problem if you are so impatient.

If you don't like GNOME, then you can easily use Kubuntu, a KDE version of Ubuntu. If you are good with Linux, you can also remove the GNOME system and replace it with KDE without using a Kubuntu disc.