I like the way that knobheads like you pretend that you have some sort of moral superiority. Just remember that in times past you wouldn't have been able to talk in public about anything other than cowshit and straw.
Much like today in fact.
Ubuntu might fit the bill. I'll give you a synopsis but you'll find out much more at
o When people complain about not knowing which to choose, they have generally had bad advice. One thing is certain. You cannot have a stable distribution that sits on the bleeding edge.
o Ubuntu is based on Debian, a leading Linux distro, which means amongst other things that it has a rock-solid foundation and great package management.
o It installs more and newer software than Debian by default, and is geared at the type of user who would rather have choices made for him, often a newer user, but sometimes a seasoned user who wants a whizz-bang desktop.
o Thousands more Free applications are available for download via an integrated package manager. These are not Mickey Mouse applications. They have to meet Debian's exacting quality standards. They range from CAD packages to DAWs, web browsers to office suites. The scope is unlimited.
o It aims to provide a shorter release cycle than Debian, releasing every six months. This newer software is at the expense of Debian's famed stability, but is an acceptable compromise for many users.
o It is known for having an extremely friendly and zealous user community. Their extreme friendliness is almost wearing. :) Community support is available via mailing lists, IRC, and if you must, a web forum.
o The current release is 5.10. The next release is 6.04 which should be released in June, but you can install it now and "ride the wave" of development. A development version of Ubuntu is likely to be very usable this close to release, so you might want to consider diving straight in with this.
o GNOME and KDE are the two main all-singing-and-dancing Linux desktop environments. This means that they provide and integrate applications as well as a window manager.
o Ubuntu installs the GNOME desktop environment by default. If you would prefer to install KDE, you can download and install Kubuntu instead which is Ubuntu with KDE as the default desktop.
o In my opinion, GNOME is sleeker and classier, and KDE is more flashy, and configurable. KDE contains an application called amarok which you might be interested in. You'll really have to try them both as they are chalk and cheese.
o If you install Ubuntu and decide you want to try KDE, you can install the kubuntu-desktop package which pulls in all the packages needed to give you a Kubuntu system. No need to reinstall.
o They will post you CDs free of charge if you can't or don't want to download and burn the ISOs. I have some PC, AMD64, and Mac PPC CDs if you want one and don't want to wait a while.
o They provide a "live" CD as well as an install CD. You can boot from it and try it out without anything being written to your hard disk. Naturally this runs much slower but it's interesting for demo purposes.
o There are many ways to skin a cat.
I could write a book. There's a thought. Let me know if you want any more info, preferably via email as Usenet is taking up a lot of time lately and I might take a break for a few days.
There is no standard Linux install. There are several desktop environments and window managers to choose from.
Sorry, choice is or isn't good?
You used the word convert. In any case, even if it is a standard defence, that doesn't in and of itself make it invalid.
Once you can use a computer of any sort, it's generally not as hard to change as people think. My parents have used Windows for years. They now have a Linux install that I have barely touched. To (even) my surprise, they get on great with it. They are the least natural computer users I know.
How can you say that given all the good points that I've made?
Who needs well-thought-out when you can call someone a k*****ad? Is there anything you'd like to get off your chest? I don't understand what you mean by what I would have been able to talk about etc, but you seem rather angry.
Don't know about the SLK (or care before anyone starts pasting links and long paragraphs about how wonderful they are) - but I think I'm the only here who agrees on the Apple point.
Still, it's important when you're sat in Starbucks. Although, in all seriousness, what my newest laptop looked like was actually a consideration as I'd have to use it in the library/atrium :-) Still didn't get a Mac mind you.
Usenet's not about who's right or wrong, it's about who has enough free time to shout the loudest for the longest :-) This is why I never win these arguments, mainly because I just don't care and I have more important things to do than give a tiny rats ass if some dude I'm probably never gonna meet agrees with me as to my choice of portable MP3 players :-D FWIW, I have a
1gb Q-be that I got for £39.99 on special offer. It does the job, it holds my work and enough music to entertain me for long enough to go anywhere within walking distance. As far using it in the car, well, I listen to the radio, and I can't even remember the last time I used public transport.
Ah come on Steve, not even you can pretend you don't beleive that 90% of people bought them because they're 'cool' :-)
Probably because you haven't made a "good point". You have shown yourself up to be the average clueless newbie who couldn't even compile a new kernel.
WTF's a kernal? Is that a geek joke?
Heck you're stupid and clueless and you want to shout it to the world, please go ahead.
It's a music player, it plays music. Where's the lack of substance there?
Now you've really lost it. It's free as in the generally accepted meaning of the term - that being you don't need to pay to use it.
It's not open source, therefore no meddling has gone on in its creation and the record companies accept it.
Seems a bit accurate though.
Free CAD and DAW? Where do I sign - I need replacements for Inventor, Solidworks and Logic, I need an office suite that will integrate with Exchange, SQL and Oracle servers. I also need to be able to communicate and collaborate with users of the aforementioned packages.
Many Linux users are somewhat detached from the real world.
"ride the wave of development" - no thanks, I just like my DAW to work, all day every day. Oh, have you got any broadcast (SD will do my stuff only goes on the low bandwidth sky channels) acceptable NLE software?
Hey - just like Windows and OSX.
It should have an application called Anorak.
Takes as long to write an email as it does to post on usenet. Well it does on my windows computer anyway. My Linux one is too busy being crap.
DRM for a start. Are you sure it's not phoning home?
Sorry, I can't. Non of them go that low. Most versions of Linux I've installed come with an Office suite, Firefox or Thunderbird and a load of other OSS stuff as standard that I have to spend an hour or so installing on Windows boxes.
I suppose SUSE's installer is the one that'll allow you to strip enough out of it to resemble XP.
It's not hard to have moral superiority against a tirade of patronising insults.
You don't need to sign anywhere. I think you're being sarcastic, but using proprietary software can obviously limit choice about interop. Having said that, google will reveal many CAD packages, and there are some great DAW packages like Ardour, and Rosegarden. OpenOffice.org may fulfil your requirements as far as database integration goes.
As for your last sentence, I'm not sure what you mean. You shouldn't have any problems communicating, just use email. If you want to swap data with a Logic user, you're just as buggered if you use, say, Cubase, as if you use Ardour. Unless Cubase now has an import feature.
Do you have a citation for that outrageous claim?
A cursory google search reveals
Oh really? You can upgrade between Windows and OS X releases over the Internet? There was me thinking you had to go out and buy a CD. And you can upgrade your applications at the same time? I thought you had to buy CDs for that lot as well.
Coming from someone who said "Oh, have you got any broadcast (SD will do my stuff only goes on the low bandwidth sky channels) acceptable NLE software?", that's pretty funny.
I'm aware of how long it takes to post to Usenet, believe it or not. It takes me the same time on my Linux computer. Perhaps you've done something wrong.
No I haven't. Perhaps Wikipedia is authoratitive enough?
Perhaps you'd like to explain what you mean by meddling? Whatever you mean, seeing as it's closed source, I don't know how you can comment on what happened during its creation, unless you work for Apple.
Why is the fact that the record companies accept it a good thing? Do you think they like it because they think users might like it? Do you think they like it because it gives them a grip on the users?
If you're not breaking the law why be worried?
Dunno, tell me what one of them is and I'll tell you :-)
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.