"Port all multimedia apps to Linux, and games"Porting software is kinda hard (read: almost impossible) if you don't have the source code. And I guess that those programs you want to see ported are all proprietary (secret source code). In addition, porting proprietary software would most certainly violate your license agreement (since it usually says that you are not allowed to modify the code), exposing the developer to lawsuits.
It's probably a little too early to tell, but I personally hope that Dell's move will help get Linux a little more traction in the Desktop space at point of sale. I just cannot see Joe Average opting to "switch" from an OEM Windows install to the latest Ubuntu, no matter how much easier it is to get up and running. To most household PC users, the PC is just another appliance and they're going to stick with what's installed, and I suspect that even Dell will not be pushing Ubuntu too hard.
What a stupid analogy. It is not cost effective to buy a hybrid. I want an SUV (and have one) because I wanted more cargo space. That was a higher priority. If I spent money on a hybrid instead of what I bought, it would take me 10 years to make up the difference in cost based on my savings at the pump. I'm not opposed to Linux, but I switched to a Mac from Windows about a year and a half ago and I have no regrets. Like another commenter said, any time I have used Linux, I found myself just fooling around and not getting any work done. I'm all for the philosophy behind Linux, I like the idea of a user driven OS and free software that is high quality. Still, stupid analogy for an argument.
Yeah, my mom can do a lot of computer related crap herself. We both beta tested Windows 95 when I was a kid and she knows her way around a GUI installation quite well, but she still wouldn't be able to set up a linux box to the extent that she has her XP set up without a hell of a lot of effort.
I dual boot and must say that for photo handling and processing Linux is at least 50% faster than XP. I think I've booted into XP about 5 times in the last 5 weeks and can't stand it for more than a half hour because its so slow. Google Sketch-Up isn't out for Linux other wise I would have no reasons to use XP at all. Its a bunch of crap that linux is too hard to learn and I'm almost 60. To each his own. I've switched but my wife hasn't because Linux doesn't have Incredimail. Use whats works for you. I started on a spare box last December and now my main box has the best of both worlds thanks to MS and Linux.
I'm surprised I haven't seen a post yet stating the real reason why people do not move to Linux. The real reason is because 90% of PC users do not know what Linux is, and if you don't know what Linux is these days, there isn't much chance that you are technical enough to run it. I am not saying that you will have to know command line arguments, that is difficult to configure, etc. The truth and the matter is that 90% of the world's computer users the only thing they know how to do in a computer is IM, e-mail, chat, and download pictures from your digital camera (and for this, you need to be a super regular user). Forget about updating drivers or even finding drivers (if they even know what a driver is), forget about downloading the software that they need, because they would not know they neede it, and if they do, they would not know how to find it, and if they find it by chance, they would not know how to install it.And most important, when they get in to trouble and they have to call customer support, the customer support specialist (you know, the one you call because the buggy latest drivers posted on the web have hosed your printer and now it doesn work anymore, and he asks you to reboot your system 3 times and wait 20 minutes before turning on your computer) will tell them that Linux, which he probably doesn't know what it is, it is not a supported application under windows, and that he should un-install and try again.Believe it or not, there are many people out there (most of the people that use a computer these days) that know nothing about computers; even if they use them everyday at work. Most of these people don't even know of the security risks in Windows; most of these people don't know what a security risk is. So don't pretend these people are going to switch to Linux and everything is going to be better.
There can be no winner to this argument...I am a linux user and a windows user. My laptop starts up in linux pretty much every time it turns on. I love linux, i love the control it gives me over certain things, but thats one of the things that puts people off. Only computer nerds (and i say that affectionately because i am one myself) want to have complete control over everything. The average user prefers everything to be done for them, the way windows does pretty much everything for you. With complete control over your system comes the ability to completly screw it up as well, something most users dont want to risk. And yes, many people will argue you have to be root to stuff things up, but having the terminal tell you to use sudo or su, (which is just as dangerous) is counterproductive.As for installing programs? typing "sudo apt-get install xpdf" or double clicking an icon... u decide which is easier.i hate windows btw, but linux does not offer me any adobe products (make it hard to use for graphic design stuff) nor does it allow me to use my engineering programs such as SPICE, not in a viable way anyway... so i will always need to have windowswine?? good idea, but its not ever going to win anyone over, why would anyone want a fake windows thats got more bugs than the original windows??linux guis? too far underdeveloped... many people would say laughable... why would a windows user who is used to programs opening in a nice tidy way want to switch to an OS where windows occasionally open up 3 times bigger than they should be, extending off the screen?beryl is great too, when its not crashingohhh that reminds me... another reason people dont want linux... the term "open source" does not sit well with people at the best of times. While i believe the best programmers in the world dont get paid to program, there is still no visible quality control on code. If i buy a microsoft product, i know that the people who made it have at least a bit of skill, otherwise they wouldnt have a job... i dont have that garentee with linux, no software is perfect, and 100 programmers can look at the same code and still not see 1 essential flaw in it, and if it was written by a poor programmer, then thats a big problemvote for me however you like, but all OSs are flawed, and each have their advantages and disadvantages... the only real solution to this universal problem for linux, and windows to just work together instead of competing (ha, im even calling myself an idiot right now :P)
Actually... X has had builtin Wacom tablet drivers for virtually forever.The Gimp is better. :)Depends what game.Try setting WINDOWS to a non-standard resolution. X.Org actually takes just about anything.
I am a linux mint user and I suppose it would be ubuntu in reality or Gnome-Debian based linux. I am a little new to linux but I was encountering the same problem but I figured it out and it was easy . In linux mint there is a program called envy it is for installing the ati or radeon driver into linux without any hitches. Also I only know some basic code and I will go ahead and list it in my fix for the ati driver. But like I said before I use linux mint so hopefully the ubuntu or debian terminal commands will be the same(They should list the commands where you got your copy of linux) this really fixed my system and my compiz works great. You will need to make sure xserver-xgl is installed on your system for you to enable the compiz without a hitch. If your commands are different then just use the command they list plus( update ) then use it with ( install xserver-xgl ) It should work ! But it is this easy! The command is between the "()" below!1. open terminal2. Make sure you are updated ( sudo apt-get update )3. install the xserver-xgl ( sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl )4. if using linux mint then use envy to manually install the ati 8.40 driver. Do not use install ati driver with envy! It installs the 8.42 driver by default and it will white screen! It will ask two questions after installing put yes for both and it will "Restart"!Or if you can't get and use envy or don't have linux mint you can install the right driver from the "restricted driver manager" It will select the proper driver to enable the 3d on your system. You should see it somewhere in system or administration in the start menu. I hope this helps many!
As long as you have linux mint the ndiswrapper can be used it "doesn't" work well on certain encrypted wireless sources I. E a linksys router with one of the various encryption types enabled. But it works great with open networks! If you use linux mint or ubuntu you can go to cnr.com and install the cnr-client it is a pretty nice service and it is free and an easy install with gdebi they have ndiswrapper available plus a lot of other stuff. Although the first time selecting a download after you install cnr and reboot your system you have to make sure you select to use cnr to open the file type and while your at it hit always do this also make sure the icon in the bottom right menu is green and there you have it go install away! But after all that using cnr is easy in adding software it automatically installs what you select from their site. If thats to much to handle then perhaps downloading freespire a kde based debian/ubuntu linux includes the cnr automatically in every install and burning it to disc is easier. Whichever you chose is up to you. I'm just hooked on linux mint 4.0. Please Note!! "If you get an error in linux mint/ubuntu when adding cnr I believe ( sudo apt-get update ) in a terminal window should help then try adding cnr again with gdebi or you can even just add it with the terminal by typing ( sudo apt-get install cnr-client )! Besides I too am new to linux and it can be a little complicated but practicing with the terminal to add the programs can really advance your ability and make your linux experience a little easier! Cnr can help take it an additional level in linux' favor!
I'm new to Linux. I don't want to learn Linux, just as I don't want to learn medicine if I need a doctor. I'm using Freespire 1.0, which has been a complete nightmare. I've wasted at least a hundred hours trying to get CNR (simply click and install) to recognize my dsl direct connection. It is hopeless because you geeks can't communicate in simple English. I can't use apt-get update because stat source pkg. is closed, and connection fails...then the damn terminal says "run apt-get update" to fix these problems. Whoever designed this insanity ought to be put in the same cell as Casey Anthony!
init100May 19, 2007
"Port all multimedia apps to Linux, and games"Porting software is kinda hard (read: almost impossible) if you don't have the source code. And I guess that those programs you want to see ported are all proprietary (secret source code). In addition, porting proprietary software would most certainly violate your license agreement (since it usually says that you are not allowed to modify the code), exposing the developer to lawsuits.
Closed AccountMay 20, 2007
It's probably a little too early to tell, but I personally hope that Dell's move will help get Linux a little more traction in the Desktop space at point of sale. I just cannot see Joe Average opting to "switch" from an OEM Windows install to the latest Ubuntu, no matter how much easier it is to get up and running. To most household PC users, the PC is just another appliance and they're going to stick with what's installed, and I suspect that even Dell will not be pushing Ubuntu too hard.
tracydangerMay 20, 2007
What a stupid analogy. It is not cost effective to buy a hybrid. I want an SUV (and have one) because I wanted more cargo space. That was a higher priority. If I spent money on a hybrid instead of what I bought, it would take me 10 years to make up the difference in cost based on my savings at the pump. I'm not opposed to Linux, but I switched to a Mac from Windows about a year and a half ago and I have no regrets. Like another commenter said, any time I have used Linux, I found myself just fooling around and not getting any work done. I'm all for the philosophy behind Linux, I like the idea of a user driven OS and free software that is high quality. Still, stupid analogy for an argument.
coheedcollapseMay 20, 2007
Yeah, my mom can do a lot of computer related crap herself. We both beta tested Windows 95 when I was a kid and she knows her way around a GUI installation quite well, but she still wouldn't be able to set up a linux box to the extent that she has her XP set up without a hell of a lot of effort.
truck87bpMay 21, 2007
I dual boot and must say that for photo handling and processing Linux is at least 50% faster than XP. I think I've booted into XP about 5 times in the last 5 weeks and can't stand it for more than a half hour because its so slow. Google Sketch-Up isn't out for Linux other wise I would have no reasons to use XP at all. Its a bunch of crap that linux is too hard to learn and I'm almost 60. To each his own. I've switched but my wife hasn't because Linux doesn't have Incredimail. Use whats works for you. I started on a spare box last December and now my main box has the best of both worlds thanks to MS and Linux.
qrroMay 21, 2007
I'm surprised I haven't seen a post yet stating the real reason why people do not move to Linux. The real reason is because 90% of PC users do not know what Linux is, and if you don't know what Linux is these days, there isn't much chance that you are technical enough to run it. I am not saying that you will have to know command line arguments, that is difficult to configure, etc. The truth and the matter is that 90% of the world's computer users the only thing they know how to do in a computer is IM, e-mail, chat, and download pictures from your digital camera (and for this, you need to be a super regular user). Forget about updating drivers or even finding drivers (if they even know what a driver is), forget about downloading the software that they need, because they would not know they neede it, and if they do, they would not know how to find it, and if they find it by chance, they would not know how to install it.And most important, when they get in to trouble and they have to call customer support, the customer support specialist (you know, the one you call because the buggy latest drivers posted on the web have hosed your printer and now it doesn work anymore, and he asks you to reboot your system 3 times and wait 20 minutes before turning on your computer) will tell them that Linux, which he probably doesn't know what it is, it is not a supported application under windows, and that he should un-install and try again.Believe it or not, there are many people out there (most of the people that use a computer these days) that know nothing about computers; even if they use them everyday at work. Most of these people don't even know of the security risks in Windows; most of these people don't know what a security risk is. So don't pretend these people are going to switch to Linux and everything is going to be better.
thebenoJun 23, 2007
There can be no winner to this argument...I am a linux user and a windows user. My laptop starts up in linux pretty much every time it turns on. I love linux, i love the control it gives me over certain things, but thats one of the things that puts people off. Only computer nerds (and i say that affectionately because i am one myself) want to have complete control over everything. The average user prefers everything to be done for them, the way windows does pretty much everything for you. With complete control over your system comes the ability to completly screw it up as well, something most users dont want to risk. And yes, many people will argue you have to be root to stuff things up, but having the terminal tell you to use sudo or su, (which is just as dangerous) is counterproductive.As for installing programs? typing "sudo apt-get install xpdf" or double clicking an icon... u decide which is easier.i hate windows btw, but linux does not offer me any adobe products (make it hard to use for graphic design stuff) nor does it allow me to use my engineering programs such as SPICE, not in a viable way anyway... so i will always need to have windowswine?? good idea, but its not ever going to win anyone over, why would anyone want a fake windows thats got more bugs than the original windows??linux guis? too far underdeveloped... many people would say laughable... why would a windows user who is used to programs opening in a nice tidy way want to switch to an OS where windows occasionally open up 3 times bigger than they should be, extending off the screen?beryl is great too, when its not crashingohhh that reminds me... another reason people dont want linux... the term "open source" does not sit well with people at the best of times. While i believe the best programmers in the world dont get paid to program, there is still no visible quality control on code. If i buy a microsoft product, i know that the people who made it have at least a bit of skill, otherwise they wouldnt have a job... i dont have that garentee with linux, no software is perfect, and 100 programmers can look at the same code and still not see 1 essential flaw in it, and if it was written by a poor programmer, then thats a big problemvote for me however you like, but all OSs are flawed, and each have their advantages and disadvantages... the only real solution to this universal problem for linux, and windows to just work together instead of competing (ha, im even calling myself an idiot right now :P)
tom9729Aug 25, 2007
Actually... X has had builtin Wacom tablet drivers for virtually forever.The Gimp is better. :)Depends what game.Try setting WINDOWS to a non-standard resolution. X.Org actually takes just about anything.
luxorvanJun 18, 2008
I am a linux mint user and I suppose it would be ubuntu in reality or Gnome-Debian based linux. I am a little new to linux but I was encountering the same problem but I figured it out and it was easy . In linux mint there is a program called envy it is for installing the ati or radeon driver into linux without any hitches. Also I only know some basic code and I will go ahead and list it in my fix for the ati driver. But like I said before I use linux mint so hopefully the ubuntu or debian terminal commands will be the same(They should list the commands where you got your copy of linux) this really fixed my system and my compiz works great. You will need to make sure xserver-xgl is installed on your system for you to enable the compiz without a hitch. If your commands are different then just use the command they list plus( update ) then use it with ( install xserver-xgl ) It should work ! But it is this easy! The command is between the "()" below!1. open terminal2. Make sure you are updated ( sudo apt-get update )3. install the xserver-xgl ( sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl )4. if using linux mint then use envy to manually install the ati 8.40 driver. Do not use install ati driver with envy! It installs the 8.42 driver by default and it will white screen! It will ask two questions after installing put yes for both and it will "Restart"!Or if you can't get and use envy or don't have linux mint you can install the right driver from the "restricted driver manager" It will select the proper driver to enable the 3d on your system. You should see it somewhere in system or administration in the start menu. I hope this helps many!
luxorvanJun 18, 2008
As long as you have linux mint the ndiswrapper can be used it "doesn't" work well on certain encrypted wireless sources I. E a linksys router with one of the various encryption types enabled. But it works great with open networks! If you use linux mint or ubuntu you can go to cnr.com and install the cnr-client it is a pretty nice service and it is free and an easy install with gdebi they have ndiswrapper available plus a lot of other stuff. Although the first time selecting a download after you install cnr and reboot your system you have to make sure you select to use cnr to open the file type and while your at it hit always do this also make sure the icon in the bottom right menu is green and there you have it go install away! But after all that using cnr is easy in adding software it automatically installs what you select from their site. If thats to much to handle then perhaps downloading freespire a kde based debian/ubuntu linux includes the cnr automatically in every install and burning it to disc is easier. Whichever you chose is up to you. I'm just hooked on linux mint 4.0. Please Note!! "If you get an error in linux mint/ubuntu when adding cnr I believe ( sudo apt-get update ) in a terminal window should help then try adding cnr again with gdebi or you can even just add it with the terminal by typing ( sudo apt-get install cnr-client )! Besides I too am new to linux and it can be a little complicated but practicing with the terminal to add the programs can really advance your ability and make your linux experience a little easier! Cnr can help take it an additional level in linux' favor!
cmaglaughlinFeb 4, 2009
I'm new to Linux. I don't want to learn Linux, just as I don't want to learn medicine if I need a doctor. I'm using Freespire 1.0, which has been a complete nightmare. I've wasted at least a hundred hours trying to get CNR (simply click and install) to recognize my dsl direct connection. It is hopeless because you geeks can't communicate in simple English. I can't use apt-get update because stat source pkg. is closed, and connection fails...then the damn terminal says "run apt-get update" to fix these problems. Whoever designed this insanity ought to be put in the same cell as Casey Anthony!