Hello, from Snaky and I

[Lulu Bennett]

lol that sounds quite cool but i dont have my own comp anymore but will chat to ou once i get my own laptop again lol

[Snaky]

It's true that Linux has become much easier, especially Ubuntu/Fedora or similar, but in my eyes it's not something for everyone. Even if you only want to install a new program it's easier in Windows. Aaaaaaand if you have a problem in Linux, it can be quite timeconsuming to fix it... sometimes even impossible.While Windows is usually easier to recover from. And slackware is certainly not for a noob

I do admit, it's fun if you're a bit into using the pc and investigating. And the fun is that it's all free. But you do need to have some knowledge and interest towards it, otherwise it will be frustrating.

Linux can also kill your harddrive btw

[GrapefruiTgirl]

It's true that Linux has become much easier, especially Ubuntu/Fedora or similar, but in my eyes it's not something for everyone.

Quite true, it isn't for everyone-- it isn't for those who choose to remain enslaved by the oligopoly that is Microshaft, or for people who like their computers locking up on a regular basis, or those who ENJOY being inundated by spyware, or those who don't care what their computer is being used for when they themselves aren't looking. It's not for those who enjoy paying for antivirus software either, or paying for ANY software, for that matter.

Even if you only want to install a new program it's easier in Windows.

That's not true. Not at all. Rubbish.

Aaaaaaand if you have a problem in Linux, it can be quite timeconsuming to fix it... sometimes even impossible.

Impossible? Come on... Nothing is impossible. Time consuming, maybe. But so is repairing Windows, and when one adds up the TOTAL time spent in a year repairing and reinstalling Windows, vs the same time spent reinstalling and/or repairing Linux... I'll go the Linux route, from exprience.

While Windows is usually easier to recover from. And slackware is certainly not for a noob.

LOL, see below, near the end for my 'recovery attempt' and you're right, Slackware isn't necessarily for new users, but I was a new Linux user less than a year ago, and in less than two weeks I settled on Slackware and don't regret it one bit....

I do admit, it's fun if you're a bit into using the pc and investigating. And the fun is that it's all free. But you do need to have some knowledge and interest towards it, otherwise it will be frustrating.

I don't understand the 'fun' and the 'investigating' part of that statement. I do the same stuff with my computer that I used to do with Winblows, fun or otherwise. Plus, do people who start using Winblows have some pre-existing knowledge that enables them to more easily 'adapt' to using Winblows? No.. Winblows can be frustrating too; very much so. I think it's fair to say that with ANYthing new, one should have an interest, but 'some prior knowledge'? No. People didn't know how to use Winblows when they first sat down with it either. They had to learn that too. Also, 'free' and 'fun' are not synonymous. They're both GOOD but not synonymous.

Linux can also kill your harddrive btw.

I can't comment on this from experience-- yet , but I CAN say that Linux doesn't have a 'System Restore' button, which was the last thing I thought I pressed, and actually the last Microsloth 'button' I have ever clicked to date, before my entire installation was ruined and my hard-drive currupted to the degree that I had to buy a new one. I switched away from Microshaft right then and there. I'm still not 100% sure I didn't accidentally click the 'Completely Destroy The Installation' button, but now I will never know..

Now, it isn't my intention to start a flaming debate about the merits of one or the other OS, but I do get the impression that you have either had bad personal experience(s) trying out Linux, which would be unfortunate, or have no personal experience with it at all, and are basing your comments on stuff you have read, about the way things used to be...

-- Sasha

[Snaky]

I was first going to write a big response, but not in the mood for it. You should work on a helpdesk and you'll know why Linux is to difficult for more people than you think

Even nowadays, when people have grown up with the internet and a pc, but even then most of them ( of course, I exclude everybody who studies informatics or related studies, but those are not many ) only know how to play a game, surf, chat and use the basics of office programs... They have no interest to learn anything on the pc that does not cover what they need in the programs that they use. It can be different in other countries, but at least this is in Belgium the case.

I've used Linux while I was at the university and I'm currently using UNIX tru64 at work. So I've got no problem with Linux I just only recommend Linux if you've an interest towards using the pc for more than only the basics. I'm an ict'er, so fixing bugs and experimenting on the pc is fun

[GrapefruiTgirl]

I don't doubt it you must get ALL KINDS on a helpdesk line/website. I suspect it's similar to the many requests that come into LQ looking for help. Unfortunately so many people are too lazy to read instructions and/or other documentation, which leads to an inordinate amount of requests for help.

Tell me, what is Tru_64 ? I haven't heard of that one, though there are probably hundreds I haven't heard of. Is it a UNIX or Linux OS, and what are you running it on, a unix workstation, or...?? I'm curious, because I am sometime going to be building a multilib or 64 bit OS for my computer-- **probably** Slackware, but who knows, there are so many to choose from!

Thanks
--Sasha

[Snaky]

Tru64 is UNIX, but outdated, I would not recommend it to you. Even at work we will be moving towards Solaris, but companies really don't take risks, that's why they've waited this long.

I think Slackware would be a good choice.

To stay in the mood - first helpdesk : http://users.pandora.be/Snaky69/FirstHelpDesk.wmv

[GrapefruiTgirl]

How big is that video? I'm on dialup (28.8K ) yeah embarrasingly SLOOOW LOL.

[Snaky]

hmm, that's slow indeed
The video is 2.9M. It's about a helpdesk for when a book was invented.

[GrapefruiTgirl]

LOL, I found a nifty FLASH thing yesterday (I hate flash, btw) which was a cartoon story of the 'little billy' variety, and was about "How to properly ask questions/use a help forum" and was rather amusing. Perhaps you've seen it? it's HERE

[Charlet_2007]

that was really funny but helpfull