Mo' Betta Linuxes
Fred, Noticed the discussion of Ubuntu in your newsletter ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-09-28.htm#3 ). Thought I would share my experiences with Linux. I have been shopping for a Linux implementation that could be used by a computer layman. Many are usable right off the boot/install live cd. My favorites used to be Knoppix and Kanotix. However; the big hangup is installation of additional software. As you know lots is available but after downloading you need to be a linux terminal whiz to just find where you downloaded the software, then use the correct commands (which you must scour the internet to find) to extract, compile and then run the installation script. This is a nightmare for me, and I started computers with HDOS and CPM working exclusively from the command line.
So, I have found two promising versions of Linux which take care of the installation of new programs and in one case keeping the OS up to date. Both have live cds from which you can install the operating system.Right now I have PCLinuxOS ( http://www.pclinuxos.com ) running on an Athlon 2gHz processor system with 512mb ram and a 10gb hdd, connected to the internet through a switch connected to my DSL router (This is a dedicated Linux machine, not my primary PC). PCLinuxOS uses Synaptic Software to keep the OS updated and to download and install new software. Just pick your software from the list displayed and hit "apply". Bingo, it is downloaded and installed! Granted, you are limited to the packages they have listed, but no terminal wizard required!
Freespire ( http://freespire.org ) is the free version of Linspire which promises the same simple installation through their CNR (click 'n run) client. I did install it on the same machine where PCLinuxOS is now running, but could not get the CNR to work at all. Granted it was the first version of Freespire released. Maybe they have gotten some of the bugs out now.Have fun experimenting!
Gordon Golden, longtime Plus subscriber
Thanks, Gordon! The Linux distros just get better and better, don't they?
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