ORLANDO399 Report This Comment Date: December 07, 2010 05:07PM
Half of the people that i know hasn't even heard of linux...so take that
quasi Report This Comment Date: December 07, 2010 06:11PM
Your grammar isn't helping their cause, 'lando.
fossil_digger Report This Comment Date: December 07, 2010 06:31PM
try it lando, you'll never go back.
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 08, 2010 12:46PM
How much free software is avaliable for linux?
fossil_digger Report This Comment Date: December 08, 2010 01:52PM
more than you can count.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 08, 2010 05:17PM
In the section of available free software for the version I'm currently runnin,
Ubuntu 10.04, there are 32,392 different free software packages available in a
section known as "synaptic packages manager" JG. Of that figure I
have 1888 installed in my "hot rod i7" machine I'm writin this from.
This is more than any of the other 4 machines here at the casa have
loaded/installed. Each separate machine has its own function and reason for
being, so each has different software requirements/needs, though all the others
have much less software installed.
These numbers are somewhat misleading though as these are software packages and
not all are actual programs per se, though some indeed are. Sometimes in
installing a new program it will also need to install other "software
packages" to satisfy various "software dependencies" for all its
individual software package components to work. However, when you select a new
software title to install it just pops up with a list of the other packages that
will also be required (if necessary) and asks if you want to download/install
those as well, which you simply click a button to affirm, then click on an
"apply all changes" button and it's off to the races as it will then
download and install all the new software for you without any further need for
you to do anything else
Other than a very few minor differences outside the difference between the
program names between Ubuntu and MS-XP,Vista or 7, it's very similar to run ...
and of course NO MORE NEED TO RUN, NOR CONTINUALLY UPDATE THAT DAMNED ANTI-VIRUS
CRAP EVER AGAIN
BTW, to any and all that would like to try out Ubuntu without even having
to actually install it at all (a capability NO windows operating system
offers!), just go to [releases.ubuntu.com] (and yes there's a .686 version for
anyone wanting to run the 64 bit version too) tell it to DL the live/install CD,
burn off a copy to a blank CD (it's just under 700MB, so yeah, it will fit on a
blank CD, no need to even use a blank DVD disc), pop the CD you just burned into
your CD or DVD drive and reboot your machine. When it comes back on you'll need
to go into the BIOS settings, tell it to boot from the CD or DVD drive you are
using, hit F10, then hit enter after prompted to do so and let 'er eat. It
takes several minutes for it to boot from the CD but it will come up to a
desktop screen where you'll be able to use all the base OS programs, get on the
web with Fire Fox etc., just as if you had actually installed it. BTW, for some
screwy reason it usually will give a pop up message on the desktop sayin it
can't run Ubuntu, but not to worry, just hit enter, wait another minute or 2 and
it will come back to a blank desktop and be ready to use.I wish they'd fix this
bug since it problee scares off a lot of people from tryin to use Ubuntu, but
with it bein free, how much bitchin can I reasonably do anyway, right?
This way you can take a look around at the loaded software, see what other
software is available, surf, etc. and see if it's something you would be
interested in installing.
If, after you check it out, you decide it's not for you, eject the CD, reboot
again, go back into the BIOS once more and tell it to boot from your hard drive
that has Windows on it, hit F10, then enter and your machine will be just the
same as it was before, no harm, no foul 
Also: if you want to install Ubuntu and still run keep your existing Winblows
BS, you can do this also. It requires one change during the install process,
but other than that, there's nothing else to do but a typical install, which BTW
is MUCH faster and friendlier than Windows install/reinstall. It takes between
20mins. and and hour to install Ubuntu and once you do you'll more than likely
already have more overall machine capabilities with the base operating system
than what your MS BS gave you before and as an added bonus, so long as you're
connected to the net with an ethernet cable from a DSL,Cable or satellite co.
there's no configuration necessary for your internet. As soon as you're runnin
it as a Live CD or once Ubuntu is installed, if you have an internet signal
comin in from your ethernet cable, you're instantly online with nothing else to
do but Njoy the ride
If you are on dial-up, sorry (quasi), but settin that kinda connection up IS a
major PITA as I hear it and if your internet comes in through a wireless card
you have to insure the card itself is linux compatible and works outta the box
for ya. There's a complete online listing of compatible wireless cards, so if
that's what you would be using that has to be figured in beforehand as well to
get ya on the web with either the live CD or once it's installed.
Anyone with any further questions can hit me at
mrkim7
;5040@yahoo.com. (<-and be sure to remove the damned colon in the addy!) I don't check
that one as often as I should, but if you send me a PM here and lemmekno I have
email, I'll go take a look and see if I can help ya
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2010 05:41PM by Mrkim.
ORLANDO399 Report This Comment Date: December 08, 2010 11:25PM
Can ya go onto any porn sites or does it block ya from it?
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 09, 2010 12:27AM
Seriously dude, it is a drop in replacement for XP, Vista or 7, but .... it
runs cirles around 'em speedwise, comes with Open Office, Fire Fox, Rhythmbox
music player, Movie Player video player and lots more already installed so it's
ready to go as soon as you fire it up. Oh, and when you install a replacement
CD or DVD drive, change to a different monitor, add a mic or headphones, etc.
you can toss the installation discs that come with 'em, you won't need 'em ....
unlike MS crap where you have to load drivers for every damned piece of new
hardware you add and then have to reboot to make it complete the installation,
whatta PITA!
I've still yet to have a single person who converted switch back to MS
afterwards
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2010 12:50AM by Mrkim.
pro_junior Report This Comment Date: December 09, 2010 03:58AM
I used to run red hat linux but I switched back to MS...
had too many problems getting shit like printers and monitors to work properly
and could find little help on the intertrons...but that was about 6-7 years
ago...
btw Kim, I read your entire post...
pro_junior Report This Comment Date: December 09, 2010 04:01AM
thinking back, it was suse, not red hat..
fossil_digger Report This Comment Date: December 09, 2010 04:31AM
i have plugged in 5 different printers, 3 mice, 4 different keyboards, 3
different monitors, and speakers, and never had a problem, they all work first
time with no installs of any kind needed. maybe you should give a newer version
a try.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 09, 2010 04:58PM
My 1st linux OS (about 8 yrs ago) was Lindows, which MS sued over their naming
of and was eventually rebadged as Linspire. That one had major compatibility
issues with lotsa hardware and admittedly had it not been for the persistence
and help of a good friend, I would have abandoned it and gone back to XP. To
say it was simple or easy to use would be an outright lie as it was bat-shit
buggy as installed.
Then about 4-1/2 years ago this same friend did an installation of Ubuntu 6.06
(the 1st long term service version they released) for my B'day and the
improvements were incredible right outta the box over Linspire.
Since then I've seen improvements in almost every new version, with new ones
coming out every 6 months. Admittedly, there are usually bugs they always have
to iron out after a new release, like with any new OS release, and I never
switch versions after a new release comes out for several months afterwards.
I won't pretend Ubuntu is perfect, nor that I've never had any problems, as that
would be a lie, but for the most part the problems I've had were self induced.
With all the freedom it gives you in customizability, and personalization, it
also gives you enough rope to hang yourself with at the same time.
Mark Shuttleworth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Shuttleworth) is credited
with having provided the financial and technical impetus for Ububtus inception
and I have to say I applaud the overall ideology behind Ubuntu as a whole as I
find it altruistic and forthright in a human sense as its reason for having come
into existence at all is really quite admirable. Anyone interested can read
more about its overall history etc. here [
en.wikipedia.org]
Current best estimates for global use of Ubuntu range between 12-15 million
users and it's the fastest growing segment of the operating system adoption
market world-wide, though at even 15 mil, that's just a drop in the bucket of
the overall world wide computer user market.
The support forums and number of power users continues to grow and as such the
overall support today is much improved to what it was when I began using it.
Ubuntu continues to chip away steadily at MS's user base and is on target to
eventually eclipse Macs user base, but that's not the case today.
Having done several dual-boot systems for people I have come to truly HATE the
PITA process a Windows installation is by comparison. The install alone for XP,
even with a decently specced machine hardware wise machine is 2 hrs (min)
overall and if an installer isn't familiar with the quirky pitfalls of it can
easily bork an install and take waaaaaay longer! Then, after the install, until
you load the software for at least the MoBo, video card, and sometimes even the
monitor you're using, you're still a ways from gettin a fully functional system
workin.
Conversely, I can do an install of Ubuntu on a machine in usually 20-40 minutes
and if will be functional right outta the box. No need to load any of the
hardware discs, just boot up n go, which is an infinitely more rewarding/less
frustrating experience all in all.
Since problee 98+% of Windows users buy their machines with the OS already
loaded they never go through the installation process as it's all been done
before they ever even plug in the machine. If however, they ever have to do a
reinstall later, they will surely see the issues I've mentioned, which is
usually a good opportunity for lotsa head scratchin and utilization of nearly
all the curse words in ones vocabulary before you get through it for someone
unfamiliar with the process.
The only piece of hardware I have that isn't compatible with my system is a
Panasonic laser printer/scanner/fax and though I periodically look for drivers,
there just aren't any available. HP seems to be the brand printer most in favor
by lotsa Ubuntu users and they're well supported and will work outta the box
with at most just a simple semi-automated configuration process the 1st time
they're used.
For anyone wanting dead-nuts reliability and a built in over riding capability
to keep you safe from most of your own errors, I'll recommend a Mac. My
personal thoughts are you'll sacrifice tons of customizability, be severely
limited in hardware options/upgrades and pay through the nose for it as a base
system and even more so if you choose to upgrade the hardware, which is
incredibly overpriced compared to mainstream PC hardware! But, you'll also get
back a lot of value in its overall simplicity and dependability and be
reasonably safe from viral infections, though not completely insulated from
them. BTW, current Mac OSes are linux based.
I tried a Mac about a year ago, liked a lot of the simplicity of operation but
abhorred its safeguards as it was almost un-customizable, which as a linux user
and used to such freedom, frustrated the shit outta me! I truly despised its
lack of compatibility with my (open source based) music and video files and
since I'd intended it as a replacement for my entertainment system, found it
lacking, most especially when I tried to add in some new (better) hardware,
which it straight up wouldn't run on unless I invested in Mac specific stuff,
which I refused to do, so I shit-canned it for these reasons.
MS systems seem to offer more customizability, much more hardware compatibility
and choices, most especially to someone wanting to build/rebuild their own
machine, be mostly protected from operator errors, less expensive than a Mac but
you'll also wind up runnin the most virus targeted OS on the market, with the
inherent costs to the (average)user being forced to purchase and then
continually update the AV software in efforts to keep your system safe and even
then, at times that still will not be enough to always keep you safe as virus
updates seldom come out ahead of viral threats in when they hit a system.
In my business I used to watch my Mom (a long time Windows user) go through on
average a week a year fighting viral problems and every time its root was
something attached in an email from a trusted sender that was at issue as they
in turn sent out (unknown to themselves) infected emails that wreaked havoc on
our business machine, even with her diligent efforts to keep it safe. The sheer
number of emails we get from US and international sources is 100-300 per day, so
the odds of viral problems goes way up in such a case, unlike that of a typical
home user.
Ubuntu offers simplicity, reliability, compatibility with most all hardware,
lotsa cool tricks/bells and whistles, almost infinite customization, and no real
virus problems, nor have I found a need for any AV programs, though there are
free ones available if you want to run 'em. It updates like MacWindows
periodically and just as easily, overall costs less to purchase ($0) and
maintain than the other 2, with the biggest pitfall being its freedom of
customization which can lead to totally borkin the system. But ... a reinstall
afterwards still has ya back up n runnin easily enough, so even idiots like
myself, who manage to break their toys can fix 'em too.
The worst impact of a viral infection I've yet to have encountered after
switchin my work computer to Ubuntu is that it will lock up the machine and
force a hard reboot. What's really crazy is that after such a reboot I can go
back and reopen the same offending email and the viral impact is somehow no
longer there. I dunno how or why this works, but honestly, I haven't invested
the time to find out either as I really just don't care, so long as it DOES
work.
My living room entertainment system (the Antec Skeleton I posted a pic of
recently) now runs on Ubuntu 10.04, plays any and very audio/video file in
existence seemlessly, allows me to surf on my 50" plasma (which is really
trippy lookin!) virus threat free. I also threw together an old machine, loaded
300gigs of music files and use it for just a music player in my shop as opposed
to listenin to the radio and all the damned commercials. If I'd have had to
invest $100 or more for just an OS to run either of these machines on, likely
neither of 'em would have been built.
Anyway, these are my thoughts and observations and as always, YMMV
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 10, 2010 11:38AM
I ran ubuntu from the cd to try it out and I was very disappointed. It seemed
much slower than Vista is on my machine and the learning cruve seems very high.
I will play with it some more before I make up my mind though but thus far I am
dissatisfied.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 10, 2010 12:17PM
It will run slower from the CD than once loaded. The learning curve is greatly
decreased if you just have someone there who's familiar with it to give you some
help gettin around the block for the 1st time or 2. For the most part the
biggest differences are just the differences between the program names.
A lot of the people I've loaded it for have brought me machines they've rendered
unusable by surfin recklessly without any AV protection or having not kept up
with the updates for the AV programs. Oftentimes they'll never even boot up
anymore, and they figure their machine is trashed. It's always interesting to
watch their reaction when I pop in the CD & it fires right up again.
It ain't for everybody, but in my own head-to head tests it runs circles around
Vista. Like I said though, YMMV
quasi Report This Comment Date: December 10, 2010 12:36PM
I think Kim has found the love of his life.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 10, 2010 01:07PM
Huh? I've thought that on more than one occasion in the past .... and been
proven wrong every single time so far so
I've always found it humorous how at one point in my life I felt like I couldn't
have lived without some chic and then a few years down the road wind up feelin
like I wouldn't even bother to piss on 'em if they were on fire
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2010 01:11PM by Mrkim.
quasi Report This Comment Date: December 10, 2010 03:50PM
But your OS is forever because it can always be upgraded.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 10, 2010 04:34PM
A most valid and astute observation quasi
With chics it's usually easier to just switch to a different version
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 11, 2010 12:21PM
Not if she is a wife. Wifey 1.0 is hard to upgrade from and costly. Each
successive version is more difficult to upgrade and each previous version
continues to cost you in most places. Especially if you add in child 1.0 or
1.1. Wife 2.0 with child 2.0 is very difficult. It is better to upgrade from
wifey 1.0 to wifey 2.0 stable version instead of the beta version. Even with a
stable version installed you still have to deal with grandchildren 1.0, 1.1,
2.0, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.1.1, 2.1.2.......Damn I lost count.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 11, 2010 01:59PM
I didn say anything about it bein cheaper to switch 'em out. Then again, how
can you put a price on sanity? It's worth every penny it takes to live in a
no-bitchin allowed zone
These days, we can get together and play at her house or mine, have a good time
and then go to our respective homes till we wanna get together and play some
more
All things considered, it's cheaper to rent what you need from feemales on an
as-needed basis
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 12, 2010 09:55AM
You might be right but I do enjoy having my chief cook and bottle washer living
in. We haven't even had an argument on over 10 years.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 12, 2010 03:47PM
I hear ya dude, and while I like the wakin up next to a soft cuddly, good
smellin bedmate and all, it dudn seem to work out personally as a long term
lifestyle deal. Seems I'm just as hard to get along with as most feemales are,
leading to an eventual eruption of some sort that brings the whole house of
cards down around our ears.
I'm glad to hear it works well in your case JG, and all my best to you and yours
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 13, 2010 01:15PM
Well it does help if she is raised by her parents to be the kind of wife June
Cleaver was on Leave it to Beaver, then for her to marry a wife beater for her
first husband for 8 years. Then when I get her I break her of waiting on me
hand and foot and show her not all men are hitters. Now 4 kids and 8 grandkids
later we are a semi perfect couple which is the best you can hope for. Just
look for a girl raised by strict parents and you can have it too.
ORLANDO399 Report This Comment Date: December 13, 2010 03:47PM
I think they were all taken off the market by the late 80's jgoins.All that's
left is the me me me me bitches;(
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 14, 2010 11:37AM
You sound like my son now. I told him to just stop looking it he will find
someone and he did finally. I believe there is a soul mate out there for
everyone, I found mine and I hope you find yours soon, she is out there just
don't close your heart or become jaded and it will happen.
x Report This Comment Date: December 14, 2010 07:49PM
Maybe all the good ones just dont care for guys that spend massive time on
pictures sites telling how good their operating system is and how they want anti
windows stickers.
come to think of it... I'd bet the bad ones wouldnt either.
No wonder you guys cant get laid.
Mrkim Report This Comment Date: December 14, 2010 11:36PM
Awwww, poor winblows fan boy, so sorry I pissed in your Post Toaties x
BTW, your old lady told me I could get some anytime since you were too busy
makin "too cool for school" replies here to keep her happy anyway
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 14/12/2010 11:37PM by Mrkim.
jgoins Report This Comment Date: December 15, 2010 12:53PM
I really like you Mr. Kim and I tend to agree with you on many things but
possibility one of your beliefs is what keeps you from finding a woman
compatible with you. Your agnosticism prevents you from looking at women who
are religious. I find that more women believe then don't so it does limit your
possibilities. Women tend to shy away from people who are too ridged in their
beliefs. If I am being too harsh here I apologize, like I said I do like you
but this is my observation. Like I said before I do hope you find someone
because the single life is very lonely.
fossil_digger Report This Comment Date: December 15, 2010 02:08PM
yeah it's lonely running linux,
