No wonder nobody uses Linux! (araghhhh!)

[QuickSilver]

I can see why the average person would never want to use Linux. Even something as simple as installing drivers is a big freekin' pain in the you know where. The whole RPM installation thing is way too overly complicated. With Windows, you just download an .exe for your Windows version, and boom, you're done.

[mikeL]

wait until you run into dependency problems, then you will be pulling your hair out.

I usually compile drivers from source (tar.gz), which iinvolves more interaction on my part, but I run into less problems.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver I can see why the average person would never want to use Linux. Even something as simple as installing drivers is a big freekin' pain in the you know where. The whole RPM installation thing is way too overly complicated. With Windows, you just download an .exe for your Windows version, and boom, you're done.

Now hold on a minute, more people use Linux than Mac now, but u are right, it is an absolute pain in the *** to install anything, I still can't work out how to install my ADSL modem drivers

[Gibble]

I agree totally with you. I put Fedora core 2 on my comp about 2 months ago maybe and I don't think I'm any further ahead now then I was then. Like you said, to install anything is a pain unless you use apt or something. And I hate the console, it reminds me too much of dos with all these comands you have to remember if you want to do anything. I do however like the fact that you can find just about any program you want, to do anything you want (if you know where to get it and install it )

[bailey]

if you take the time to read the user manual, it really not that difficult

[MulderMan]

If you were brought up to use linux, not microsoft windows - you would be able to use it and then come here saying its a pain to install drivers on windoze. persuming you were brought up using windows.......

[QuickSilver]

Well, not really. Even if you have never used a computer in your life, you can very easily install drivers on Windows. Just download the appropriate driver for your version of windows, double click the .exe, and follow the directions that it gives you. Heck, some don't even have directions, they just do it themselves.

[Dswissmiss]

I looked into linux over 2 years ago with mandrake, suse and redhat, and gave up soon afterward. I couldn't get anything done, rpm's gave me a headache and so I left it. That was untill I tried Libranet, it was really easily set up, and with apt-get i could just download programs without all the rpm hell. I'm not advocating Libranet, it's just what worked for me at the time. I later moved on to Slackware, and now I'm in Gentoo. This second try at linux only took about 4 months.

[QuickSilver]

It just goes to show why Linux doesn't have much of a shot at the main stream market right now.

[Dswissmiss]

Well, I think thats why distros like Linspire and Xandros offer program upgrades off their website, so that people don't have to hunt around for them. But once you get an easy to install distro like mandrake, with an apt-get like feature of debian, I think a lot more people will be able to use it.

[MulderMan]

Actually im not sure why in sticking up for linux, seen as though i couldnt end up installing it myself . I think its because im a open source kinda person. But I dont like how microsoft has a big monopoly over people.

[DragonNOA1]

Originally Posted by MulderMan But I dont like how microsoft has a big monopoly over people.

But you do like how you can actually install programs, don't you? People always say the bad of M$ and the good of *nix, but what about the opposite? M$ is not all bad.

And in some ways I relate it to the AMD/Intel struggle. AMD is the underdog and many people see it as doing "no wrong" (like *nix) while others don't really praise Intel (M$) b/c they are the biggest company on the block.

[MulderMan]

O im not a windows basher like some people, like the ones that pretend there pro linux. I supose what you quoted me on is a form of jealousy of there initial sucess.

[DragonNOA1]

Of who's initial success? I'm jealous of *nix/M$ success? Why would I be jealous? And just so we don't get into a debate, I'm not jealous.

[raftero]

if you use any of the linux distros be sure you have the manual before you start, i got a download of xandros , installed very easy but i couldn't even find where to start installing, couldn't even find control panel or device mgr. messed with it about a week and gave up. if and when i try again i will have all the info. before i start.

[MulderMan]

Sorry ive seemed to cross a few peoples wires today. I meant im sub-consiously jealous of microsofts initial sucess. And most of the time im tired of people bashing windows, when they actually use it and love it.

[dragonxx4]

I have to admit windows is a hell of alot easier than linux. I grew up using DOS and windows. But Ive been using Mandrake 10.0 for about 2 months now and have gotten passed the learning curve that accopanies linux. If you just follow the directions, usually the readme or installation text files that come with what your installing youll do just fine. Now I only use windows for gaming. (Huge Day of Defeat Fan).

-CJ