Lindows

[funhousegroup]

I was just wondering if anyone here has had a chance to use Lindows yet.
If so what has been your overall experience?
FH

[alex666]

Yeah, I took the plunge for the heck of it. I am not familiar with unix or linux based systems, I had just been experimenting a little bit witn linux up to that time. Such knowledge certainly would give someone an edge as it is basically a linux os. The os installed pretty easily, I'll give it that.

But what I really did not like was the fact that the access to the "thousands of programs" really requires broadband. We do not have broadband in the area of Virginia in which I live. Consequently, most of my downloads failed. Now, you can purchase cds to get the most popular programs, but even then you have to connect to the lindows site, and I still ran into problems. Note that when downloading programs, they do not come as zip or exe files or anything like that. Rather, you download in a way that the program is immediately installed, like some of the microsoft updates. So if it does not install, you have to start all over again. And this happens more often than not (note that my dialup internet connection generally works fine, and I am able to download most windows programs with relative ease). This has been very frustrating. But I was able to install StarOffice, and it now sells retail for 70 plus bucks at Staples, so I'll give them credit for offering good programs. It came on one of those cds, and it was one of the ones that I was able to readily install.

Finally, I've got an nvidia ge4 ti4400. Getting drivers in linux for the better video cards is not particularly easy (maybe it is n ow, I'll have to check), so my card went unutilized.

There are lindows fanatics out there who love it, totally support it, use it all the time. I liked the idea of a really well organized alternative to MS, but all in all I simply did not use it. Maybe if I have more time . . .

Marty
Verona, VA

[randyrhoads1981]

Ive used the Lindows 3.0, its by far the easiest to install and use but it also does things out of the Linux norm. Like, defaults to root after installed, has limited programs by default, if you want more you have to pay the $99 fee to download them using Click N Run where a Suse 8.1, Redhat,Mandrake install has all the software , even Office software for free and are included in the ISO's. Most hardcore Linux users wont ouch it because the above said and it has some Windows like looks like a My Computer and My Documents icons, the Menu is setup like a Windows somewhat. But thats as close to Windows as it gets. Its basically Debian, and if you want software installed free open a Command Line and install sofwtare using apt-get. Worked great here. The better solution is to type in:

apt-get upgrade

After thats finished type in:

apt-get install synaptic

This will download and install a GUI based app to grab any packages and have them installed at the same time.

After its installed just edit the click N run icon to run synaptic from /usr/bin instead.

Lindows just comes with basic stuff like mp3 player, one cdrw app, this way you can install your favs like Gimp, Gaim, etc.

I would suggest Suse 8.1 or Mandrake 9 though for a start.

[funhousegroup]

Thanks guys. I dont think I will make the switch at this time because I am not familiar with the command line in Linux let alone much in windows. Until I see and hear more about Lindows I think I will just play it safe. I was considering getting it just to play with.
Good Feedback.
FH