Windows Xp - Self Help

[Akuma no Houkon]

Yeah I have heard good things about mandrake and its ease of use for new users.
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en-us/

 

[Twinbee]

Mandrake is apparently brilliant for beginners, but lacks functionality of other distros.

Having previously worked as a PC support technician, i've got the most experience with Redhat, and haven't used many others. Heard good thing about Slackware though, and SuSE aswell.

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

Every distro has its ups and downs, read about each of them and find out what is right for you.

RedHat (fedora core) has the biggest userbase and the most support available, so that might be a good idea for a new user. It all depends, check them out, read up on each of them, dont just jump into any random distro.

 

[Twinbee]

One question, actually...

I'm unsure about the difference between the X Window system, KDE and Gnome. On booting them up as sessions the GUI has been exactly the same.

Though i've seen a few customised linux desktops and really, really liked the look of some of them.

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

The X window system is what GNOME and KDE run on. (X.org and XFree86)

Gnome and KDE are completely different, although in recent RedHat distros they mangle KDE and Gnome beyond recognition, and they kinda look the same when you boot them up in a redhat distro, but if you were a hardcore linux user you would see a big difference still.

Use each of them for a bit, you will start to notice a big difference.

Both KDE and Gnome are skinable (built that way from the ground up), and come with a bunch of skins to use (or download any you want). So GUI wise there isnt much of a difference between the two. (the gui for the programs run in them stay the same) Its in the actual features, the interaction with the system, and just many many other things you will come to notice while using them.

Screenshots
KDE: http://www.kde.org/screenshots/kde320shots.php
GNOME: http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/teams/marke...html/index.html

There are more choices than just KDE and GNOME, but those are the most popular.

 

[Twimfy]

There is no point in worrying about any of this. Firstly no way in hell would microsoft abuse its user base for the same reason that you don't throw hot coffee into the eyes of your clients at your place of work. Even if you did pirate Microsoft products you're still and advertisment for them and an increased statistic to promote their popularity.

These sort of radical attempts to get people to switch to linux are futile as the market is already m$ flooded.

 

[c0ncept]

Firstly no way in hell would microsoft abuse its user base for the same reason that you don't throw hot coffee into the eyes of your clients at your place of work.

The self-help clause was THEIR idea, meaning that, yes, they would throw hot coffee into your eyes!

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

There is no point in worrying about any of this. Firstly no way in hell would microsoft abuse its user base for the same reason that you don't throw hot coffee into the eyes of your clients at your place of work. Even if you did pirate Microsoft products you're still and advertisment for them and an increased statistic to promote their popularity.

These sort of radical attempts to get people to switch to linux are futile as the market is already m$ flooded.

Thats why they are applying for this law to be passed everywhere? Because they are not going to use it? They have already used it! They use it everyday! (just to a minimal degree for now, because the laws havent been fully passed) And as c0ncept said, it was THEIR IDEA.
Microsoft also knows that a huge % of their userbase illegally download their software, something they want to put an end to. They know that if forced to stop illegally downloading this, atleast 75% of those people would actually buy windows. This is a very real threat. Microsoft is serious about this.

Not a single site I have read about this, even MENTIONS linux, its mainly on internet and software law sites and similar. So your claim that its a radicial atempt to get people to switch to linux, is the very thing blind M$ fanboys like to say to pretend these things dont really happen on their beloved OS.

Everyday the ratio of linux users to microsoft users grows. Pure statistics. Even large companies like AOL are moving over to linux only. Linux has big companies like IBM, Sun, Corel, Oracle, etc... backing them, it may take many years but it is anything but futile. Its an uphill battle, but the way gets easier everyday. As each new version of linux gains greater compatilbity and a larger software base and more popularity. Its a fight that can be won.

 

[rcx21000]

I'm downloading Gentoo, and trying to install it on the HD I stole from my bro's computer. And I'm unplugging my Windows HD while I do it, so I can't mess anything up

But if it takes 15 hours like you say, I'll need to find a good time to do it

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

I'm downloading Gentoo, and trying to install it on the HD I stole from my bro's computer. And I'm unplugging my Windows HD while I do it, so I can't mess anything up

But if it takes 15 hours like you say, I'll need to find a good time to do it

Make absolutely certain you print out the 74 page step by step walkthrough.

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/hand...rintable&full=1

Gentoo is recommended for advanced users only, who know what they are doing...I dont know what your linux skill level is...you might be able to muck your way through with the walkthrough, if everything falls into place for you. Good Luck

Once you get the base gentoo install, (you finished the walkthrough), just type

emerge kde

(or emerge gnome if thats your thing)

And everything required for kde (or gnome) to run, will be downloaded, compiled, and installed, (which is where the 15 hours comes in, more if you deceded to go from stage 1 not 2 or 3)

 

[declaration]

if anyone has a modded Xbox and wants to get a feel for Gentoo, try Gentoox, the brilliant Xbox gentoo distro.

It is very easy to install the basic package and works very nicely (if not a bit slowly).

 

[Tobriand]

Or alternatively, you could probably put the 74 page tut on your GP32 and as long as there aren't any pictures, save a few trees

BTW: Mandrake was mentioned earlier, and yes, its *very* user friendly. I tried it a while back. I use too many games, and cbf to fork out for WineX (quite apart from not having a CC) though to make a complete transition. I used it for learning C++ on, though. And for generally installing lots of free linux games and trying them out.

Plus I like stereo. And I'm fairly sure that wouldn't work with Linux. Its not what you'd call a major branch of graphics, and therefore not of anything like prime importance when it comes to implementation on other platforms. Or am I wrong?


Akuma: I don't suppose you can get emerge on any distro other than Gentoo, can you? It sounds very very useful. Mandrake is good and all, but it doesn't (or didn't back in version 8 at least) download dependencies; it just searches its own disks for them.

 

[thebluenewt]

@BlueNewt: Bollocks cos you don't believe it'll happen or bollocks cos its fucking evil?

Bollocks because I don't think Microsoft are going to have a huge room of people hacking into PCs and disabling software. Can you imagine the bad publicity it would get them? Their product sales would plumit!

As for Linux, great unless you want to play games on your PC...

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

@BlueNewt: Bollocks cos you don't believe it'll happen or bollocks cos its fucking evil?

Bollocks because I don't think Microsoft are going to have a huge room of people hacking into PCs and disabling software. Can you imagine the bad publicity it would get them? Their product sales would plumit!

As for Linux, great unless you want to play games on your PC...

Then why, pray tell, did they create this Self-Help clause? for fun?

And I play nearly a thousand PC games on my linux box without problems. It has compatiblity for about 7 out of 10, which is damn near the same compatiblity for games as XP has lol

So far, games that I play, or have played, in linux perfectly are:
Warcraft 1, 2, & 3, MaxPayne 1 & 2, Neverwinter Nights, Morrowind, The Sims (including expansions), Quake 1, 2 & 3, Unreal, Unreal Tournament, Unreal Tournament 2003 & 2004. Kohan, Deus Ex, Anachronox, Fallout 1 & 2, C&C Tiberiun Sun, and Red Alert 2, Blood Omen, StarCraft, Starwars Knights of the Old Republic, Everquest, Battlefield 1942, Halflife, Diablo 2, Civilzation 3, Majesty, Starwars Galactic Batlegrounds, Jagged Alliance 2, Icewind Dale, Red Faction, Sim City 4, Return to Castle Wolfenstine, Jedi Knight, Homeworld 2, Tribes 2 AND MANY MANY MANY MORE.

Thats just a small list from what I have personally played. (and thats not even close to a complete list of what I have played on linux). Game compatiblity isnt as bad as you make it out to be. Sure there is a huge list of games that are unplayable, but there is also a huge list of games that are perfectly playable and it grows everyday!

 

[Rico]

*stays the fuck away from growing Linux vs. Windows debate*

thebluenewt: Microsoft are trying to pass Patriot II and other things like this into law. Congress welcome it because it helps big companies, most of whom are lining their pockets.

Luckily, I predict the same ending for this as with P2P. The market don't desire to buy entire albums when only a couple of the songs are good or wait for lesser-known music to be delivered to their store when it's just a click away. They joined P2P in droves. Of course you could argue that many of these guys just don't like paying for music but CD sales are still fairly strong. It's just added convenience.

P2P networks are getting shut down and people are forming new ones, stronger every day, encrypted or routed to avoid detection.

When people who care - not your usual PC owner who just uses it for mail and stuff - start realising what they can and can't do on their own computer due to 'Trusted Computing', they will get pissed. Microsoft have very slowly inched this into motion by now and eventually you will find that you are forced to upgrade Word to view a document, or pay for a WMA after listening to it for 3 times. It is inevitable that methods will be introduced to avoid it. Let's be real here: Microsoft can't block trading of files around a network. It would spawn out from there, programs would be hacked, people would buy any non Trusted Computing-based hardware available (and someone is going to fill that niche) and the idea will fail, the hard way, with a lot of money and time being wasted on both 'sides'.

I predict the same for this Self-Help clause.

EDIT: One example of this evilness is definitely already on your Windows XP computer, provided you use Windows Update or got a recent copy of the OS: Windows Media Player has the ability to delete any content it defines as 'illegal' from your hard drive at any time. I'm not joking; check the EULA you automatically signed. RIAA, MPAA and other organisations will welcome (ab)use of this 'feature', I'm sure.

 

[GPJosh]

Which Linux distro has the most user friendly install? I'm really having trouble here.

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

EDIT: One example of this evilness is definitely already on your Windows XP computer, provided you use Windows Update or got a recent copy of the OS: Windows Media Player has the ability to delete any content it defines as 'illegal' from your hard drive at any time. I'm not joking; check the EULA you automatically signed. RIAA, MPAA and other organisations will welcome (ab)use of this 'feature', I'm sure.

Great example of the self-help clause in action! Although again thats just using it to a minimal degree, imagine what will start to happen once they get the laws fully passed.

Of course there will be those who find ways arround these things, there always are, but how long until people say, you know what, it isnt fucking worth it anymore, and stop upgrading micro$oft products, or any of the products that include things like this? (including but not limited to, windows) This is only the start of something much bigger.

Which Linux distro has the most user friendly install? I'm really having trouble here.

Trouble? What kind? Most are just the click next like 6 times, choose your installation type, and viola your done!

Partitioning might confuse the common person, I would say load up Partition Magic 8 in windows , take your windows partition and make it smaller (click on the windows partition and click resize, resize it from the RIGHT SIDE not the left), then apply the changes. Restart to the RedHat install CD, and when asked about partitions choose (Have disk druid automatically partition & use existing free space)

I think some distros like Mandrake will automatically do all of that for you, I havent installed mandrake in years.

 

[GPJosh]

Also, this might sound like a REALLY stupid question, but the distro's can read cross partition, right?

 

[Akuma no Houkon]

Also, this might sound like a REALLY stupid question, but the distro's can read cross partition, right?

I dont understand what you mean...read cross partition?

Do you mean, can they read other partitions? Yes of course they can.

Or do you mean something else?

 

[Twimfy]

I never said anything about there being a problem with other OSes... I just haven't changed because I'm lazy.

All I was saying was even though this is an idea developed and incoporated by M$ they are unlikely to suddenly 'blow up' 75% of their user base when they get a bit hot under the collar, the risk is simply not worth it, the backfire created in the media and anger and growing rumours spread to non M$ users would be a marketing catastrophe. I reckon they would rather have a high amount of pirated copies of Xp floating about than a loyal user base of around 25% of the original unnaffected figure. Profit gained through the licence of the M$ symbol/sdk etc through 3rd party developments and software will no doubt be generating a comfortable revenue as it is....not everybody pirates everything, even pirated shell out money now and again.

I ain't taking a stand for M$ but I just fail to see the purpose of scaremongering like this because no one wins either way. When a product gets popular it's only a matter of time befoe someone sticks their fat fingers in the pie and exploitations begin....it's only a matter of time before this firefox browser I'm using shows it's true colours.

Oh and I was using Linux as an example.