[Lvlug] PC Linux OS 2007

[Chris]

Darryl Gibson wrote:
> Chris wrote:
>   
>> Darryl Gibson wrote:
>>     
>
>   
>>> One of linux's strengths is its ability to breath new life into old
>>> hardware, Suggesting new hardware seems counter productive to me.
>>>
>>>   
>>>       
>> I completely disagree. GNU/Linux is not some second rate
>> operating system that is only good for breathing new life
>> into old computers. It has a ton of qualities that make it
>> a thousand times better in many respects than the
>> competition. I dislike this attitude and people should open
>> up to the idea that when you purchase a computer and
>> accessories that are put together with GNU/Linux in mind
>> you get a much better competitive solution to Microsoft
>> and Apple- and other non-free software.
>>     
>
> Who said it was second rate? And only good for breathing new life into
> old hardware? Not me.
>   
It was what you implied, not what you said.
> Telling people to buy new hardware, to fix an OS problem is absurd,
> unless the OS is Windows.
>   
It isn't the OS that is the problem, but the hardware on which it runs. 
In many low-end and not-so-low-end computers the cheap hardware isn't 
"real", that is it requires software emulation.
> I haven't bought any new hardware in over fifteen years.
>
>   
Yea, and not that is not a bad thing but you almost certainly have 
"real" hardware. This also makes you totally out of sync with the rest 
of the world.

>> This could be for a ton of different reasons. I wouldn't necessarily
>> associate it with growth if I were you although I am not doubting
>> that Ubuntu is growing in popularity as GNU/Linux is growing in
>> popularity in general.
>>     
>
> Sure, and it could be because Ubuntu has a clue, you don't need to DL an
> iso, burn a CD and then install it. Ubuntu will ship you disks for free.
>
> To me, that was a major "ah hah!"
>   
Yup- a possibility. Somehow though I have a hard time imagining IRC 
channel usage is an accurate gage of it's popularity or usage. It could 
just be the result of the new version of Ubuntu being released, more 
upgrades, more problems, etc.
>   
>>> I highly recommend Ubuntu, I've been using it for over a year, with only
>>> one compliant, there is no way to disable automatic updates. I haven't
>>> had any problems with update, but having the option to disable it would
>>> be nice
>>>       
>
> .
>   
>> Be real- GNU/Linux has allot of positives, but if you've only heard
>> one complaint about Ubuntu your completely out of touch with
>> reality or haven't talked to too many people. I'll add just two to the
>> list of issues. Ubuntu's wireless (at least until the latest edition)
>> was either buggy or difficult to use. The distribution also makes
>> installing non-free software difficult. No 'one-click' enabler. I'm
>> not saying non-free software is a good solution, but I'm not a
>> believer in making it overly difficult that users can't do it.
>>     
>
> Again, who said I only heard one complaint about Ubuntu? If you read the
>  above, I clearly state "I only have one complaint."
>
>   
My mistake- I must have read that wrong.
> I spend hours each day on #Ubuntu, so I see plenty of the problems.
>
> It isn't any more difficult getting software your Ubuntu, than it is for
> Debian, just edit the apt-get sources file.
>   
That isn't an easy task for the majority of users and another reason
GNU/Linux market share is so small. No need to defend yourself as
I was under the impression you hadn't heard of more than one problem.
>   
>>> Not sure about Freespire, but I've heard Linspire is migrating to Ubuntu?
>>>   
>>>       
>> True- it has migrated the base. It is a far different distribution
>> and targets a different user base than Ubuntu. It uses KDE,
>> adds little features like better wireless applets, and non-free
>> drivers/codecs, etc. The in-house developed software is all open
>> source and Ubuntu could and does include some of it in the
>> repositories. Freespire's main advantage is/was CNR. It provides
>> a web interface to the repositories.
>>     
>
> Isn't Synaptic the equivalent to CNR?
>   
CNR is what apt-get is to synaptic. One is easier than the next.
Not that any of them are easy enough. Hopefully the next edition of
CNR fixes up some of the issues of prior versions.
>   
>> Anyway- the best distribution is dependent on the audience.
>> I'm not knocking Ubuntu as it might seem as Freespire has
>> other issues I'd complain about if you made the same comment.
>>     
>
> What comment!?
>
> I don't know what set you off, but I think it would help if you read
> what I actually wrote.
>   
The comment I was refferring was the line about Ubuntu having
no problems. However, the thing that set me off was:

"One of linux's strengths is its ability to breath new life into old
hardware, Suggesting new hardware seems counter productive
to me."

It seems as though your assuming the person wants to breath new life
into old hardware as opposed to start using GNU/Linux. If his goal
is GNU/Linux than new hardware is likely the easier option given
his old hardware is not GNU/Linux friendly.

-- 
Have you tried GNU/Linux lately? http://kglug.org/index.php/Computers