Linux PC Models Multiply As Vista Struggles

[tgell]

-{ Quote: "Until recently, Linux PCs were about as easy to find in stores as a vinyl record. Now, personal computers with the Linux operating system pre-installed are becoming more readily available, thanks to new models from upstarts and established PC makers -- and disappointment with Microsoft's new Windows Vista OS." }-

Article (http://www.informationweek.com/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=205604334)

[monkeysmagic]

I don't think linux is the solution to people having trouble with vista. After trying a couple of the "easiest" distrubutions (ubuntu and kubuntu) I think anyone having trouble with vista will move to eithe mac or back to xp. While all operating systems have their own problems linux was the most diffucult I have used to set up. If someone is having problems with vista i doubt they will find linux any easier to use or solve any problems they have. Thats not to say linux is not good it's just not the most eay to use compared to other options available.

[djg05]

Matter of opinion

My Wife knows zilch about computers and she was getting nowhere with Windows because of pop ups from f/w etc and I had set up very minimal security. Decided to put her on to PCLos and she loves it. Sure problems do arise but no more than in Windows, in fact less. She only uses it for browsing so I find it ideal for that.

[Close_Hauled]

-{ Quote: "I don't think linux is the solution to people having trouble with vista. After trying a couple of the "easiest" distrubutions (ubuntu and kubuntu) I think anyone having trouble with vista will move to eithe mac or back to xp. While all operating systems have their own problems linux was the most diffucult I have used to set up. If someone is having problems with vista i doubt they will find linux any easier to use or solve any problems they have. Thats not to say linux is not good it's just not the most eay to use compared to other options available." }-
I agree. Users would be more likely to go with what they are familiar with. Also, a lot of people want to share files with work. Linux is just too different for most people to want to spend the time to learn. While most find Vista annoying, Linux can be intimidating. The much more familiar XP would be their first choice.

Linux is a great operating system, but it is not ready for Jane and Joe Walmart yet. They want to pick up their box and have it just work. They do not want to have to wander the net looking for freeware that might work. And they certainly do not want to enter cryptic command lines in order to get the stuff to work. You an I might find it fun, but Jane and Joe are going to goo somewhere else.

[Pedro]

Note: computers with Ubuntu/gOS/etc preinstalled.
Problems to setup what?

[aigle]

-{ Quote: "My Wife knows zilch about computers and she was getting nowhere with Windows because of pop ups from f/w etc ." }-
Why u installed such a FW? Why not using windows default one with no pop ups?

[dNor]

These cheap Linux boxes, in my opinion, are fantastic. Any sort of gain Linux and open-source can get is a major positive, and all these low priced Linux machines being gobbled up are providing just that.

However, Linux still has a ways to go until it can hit mainstream in a powerful way. It's just not designed for the average computer illiterate, although it's had enormous strides over the years. It'll only get better and easier and with that will come even more interest from Walmart shoppers.

[Close_Hauled]

-{ Quote: "Note: computers with Ubuntu/gOS/etc preinstalled.
Problems to setup what?" }-

Codecs for common video and audio formats. Plug-ins for Adobe products and other flash players.

Installing Adobe plug-ins on Linux is not automatic. It requires you to go to the command line. The instructions that Adobe provides for Linux install is good, but still confusing because it refers to different 3 different archive types. With the Mac and PC, it is just a few mouse clicks.

http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&P2_Platform=Linux&P3_Browser_Version=Netscape4

Ubuntu is arguably the best of the Linux distros for beginners. But it simply is not not very intuitive once people have to go outside of the comfort zones that they have become accustomed to. For simple tasks, Ubuntu is fine. But once you start to complicate things, it gets intimidating.

[Kerodo]

-{ Quote: "Codecs for common video and audio formats. Plug-ins for Adobe products and other flash players.

Installing Adobe plug-ins on Linux is not automatic. It requires you to go to the command line. The instructions that Adobe provides for Linux install is good, but still confusing because it refers to different Linux kernals. With the Mac and PC, it is just a few mouse clicks.

" }-
If you're talking about Flash for browsers in Linux, many of them do install automatically and easily when you go to a site needing flash, just like in Win. A few don't and require manual installation via a terminal and command line, true. So some do and some don't.

Video and audio used to be more of a hassle, but now many distros come with both working out of the box, PCLOS is one example. Ubuntu makes it extremely easy now too, just a few clicks. If you run into a distro where it's really a problem, just install vlc which has it's own codecs for everything and works without any further tweaking. Simple enough.

My overall take on this is that Linux won't replace Win for a long long time, but it is becoming an alternative choice for more and more users every year.

[Long View]

For me the problem is simply that not enough commercial software companies write for linux. I know there are emulations and lots of open source but I'm not interested in programs that can be made to work by fooling the machine into thinking it's running on XP. Until it is possible to simply specify that you want the linux version windows will be the OS of choice for the majority.

[LockBox]

Obviously, it depends on what you want to do with your computer. There's been a lot of turned heads at the success of the Asus Eee Laptop which, for as little as $299, runs a Linux platform and does everything one would need from a laptop.
http://www.laptopmag.com/Review/Exclusive-First-Review-Asus-Eee-PC-701.htm

It seems most believe the success of the Asus Eee can be directly attributed to the multiple-version, mess of an operating system known as Vista. It seems even Bill Gates is less than impressed with the rollout of Vista:
http://gizmodo.com/342920/holy-crap-did-bill-gates-just-say-windows-sucks

[Coolio10]

Opensuse should be used because it is so easy with 1-click install.
PCLINUXOS is good for what it already has but that is it. Opensuse has build service and is the most customized distribution (boot screen, menu). I haven't seen other distro do so much customizing.

[Cerxes]

Maybe PC-BSD is an alternative for those who don´t want to use Windows OS's (by some reason), but wants to remain with the "Windows" way of using installer packages:

http://www.pbidir.com/

But it´s not Linux if using that kernel is important for you.

/C.

[jfd15]

Microsoft supposedly offering Vista at $3 for those building the "One Laptop Per Child" program....also Microsoft is claiming some 250+ patent infringements by the various linux distros, but wont specify the patents, so the linux community cant yet debunk the claims..