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The Linux operating system was born in 1991 and was created by one man, a
Finnish student coincidentally named Linux Torvalds. Since these humble
beginnings, a multi-million dollar
industry has sprung up to exploit the commercial potential of Linux, but
until recently Linux has eluded mainstream acceptance. However, due to the
recent economic downturn together with uncertainty over changes to Microsoft's pricing policy, Linux is
now being touted as a serious contender to Microsoft Windows. While there
are many other alternatives to Windows, including BSD which is based on SUN's (Stanford University Network - correction by bc) server-grade Solaris operating system,
none have commanded the same level of media attention as Linux.

Linux Mandrake is just the
latest in a long line of quirkily christened versions of Linux. Previous
versions of Linux have been named Red Hat, Slack Ware,
Storm and Coral. In stark contrast to the mundane names such
as 98, ME or NT preferred by Microsoft, the crazy
names of each Linux release hint at its renegade nature.

My foray into the world of Linux began by downloading a "CD image" from
the Linux web site. But don't worry, this isn't software piracy, it's
perfectly legal! Linux is shareware, meaning that it can be freely
redistributed without fear of a visit by the Business Software Alliance. The free
availability of Linux is a major reason for its popularity among
cash-strapped students and self-styled anti-capitalist hackers.

Before installing new software, it is always advisable to read the
documentation. Unfortunately, an unpleasant surprise was in store for me
in the "required configuration" section of the manual.
I was shocked to learn that Linux Mandrake only runs on Pentium
processors, meaning that my hopes of testing the water with my old Gateway 486 were dashed. Furthermore, a
whopping 32 megabytes of memory are required to run Linux! Although the advocates of Linux self-righteously
boast the efficiency of their chosen operating system and deride the
"bloatware" produced by Microsoft, it appears that their claims are
blatantly incorrect. Although my humble 486 will happily run Windows 95,
it seems that Linux requires far more powerful, and more expensive,
computer hardware. Is this really the sign of a lean, mean operating system?
Of course not.

Sadly, not even being able to install Linux is just the first of my many
complaints. A brief perusal of the
features of Linux Mandrake reveals that Linux is sorely lacking many
crucial productivity applications. For example, why isn't the industry
standard web browser, Internet Explorer, included with Linux? Despite the
best efforts of the experts at the Internet
Engineering Task Force to encourage adoption of the Internet Explorer
standard, the creators of Linux seem to think that they know better. By
refusing to adhere to recognised standards, Linux is simply undermining
its own credibility.

Similarly, almost all of the world's most popular and widely used software
is completely incompatible with Linux! It may surprise you to learn that
your copy of Microsoft Office, Outlook Express, or Lotus Notes will not
work under Linux. Those who wish to use their computer for recreational
purposes are also out of luck, for almost all of the most popular games
are unavailable for Linux. Although a wide range of software is freely
available for Linux, these pitiful offerings are mostly unfinished, unreliable and do not
bear comparison to their commercial counterparts.

Computer security is also an area that seems to have been overlooked by
the developers of Linux. In these times when hacking and viruses are
commonplace, it defies belief to learn that no anti-virus software is available for
Linux. To add insult to injury, there is no Linux version of the popular
ZoneAlarm firewall. By using Linux,
you are issuing an open invitation to the hordes of ne'er-do-wells on the
Internet.

The shortcomings of Linux are obvious. Without even installing Linux
Mandrake, I have exposed several fundamental flaws. Surely it is not too
much to expect that, after ten years of development, the creators of Linux
would have addressed these problems? The real question that the
prospective Linux user must ask himself is, "Why bother?" After all,
Microsoft Windows comes free with most PCs and there simply isn't a need
to replace it, particularly not with a product of inferior quality.

Although it is always tempting to support the underdog, Windows XP will
be the deserved victor in the battle ahead. I recommend that those
Adequacy readers who are hoping to upgrade their operating system
patiently wait for the release of Windows XP, rather than foolishly
wasting their time, effort and money on Linux.

Linux Mandrake is just the latest in a long line of quirkily christened versions of Linux. Previous versions of Linux have been named Red Hat, Slack Ware, Storm and Coral. In stark contrast to the mundane names such as 98, ME or NT preferred by Microsoft, the crazy names of each Linux release hint at its renegade nature.

My foray into the world of Linux began by downloading a "CD image" from the Linux web site. But don't worry, this isn't software piracy, it's perfectly legal! Linux is shareware, meaning that it can be freely redistributed without fear of a visit by the Business Software Alliance. The free availability of Linux is a major reason for its popularity among cash-strapped students and self-styled anti-capitalist hackers.

Before installing new software, it is always advisable to read the documentation. Unfortunately, an unpleasant surprise was in store for me in the "required configuration" section of the manual. I was shocked to learn that Linux Mandrake only runs on Pentium processors, meaning that my hopes of testing the water with my old Gateway 486 were dashed. Furthermore, a whopping 32 megabytes of memory are required to run Linux! Although the advocates of Linux self-righteously boast the efficiency of their chosen operating system and deride the "bloatware" produced by Microsoft, it appears that their claims are blatantly incorrect. Although my humble 486 will happily run Windows 95, it seems that Linux requires far more powerful, and more expensive, computer hardware. Is this really the sign of a lean, mean operating system? Of course not.

Sadly, not even being able to install Linux is just the first of my many complaints. A brief perusal of the features of Linux Mandrake reveals that Linux is sorely lacking many crucial productivity applications. For example, why isn't the industry standard web browser, Internet Explorer, included with Linux? Despite the best efforts of the experts at the Internet Engineering Task Force to encourage adoption of the Internet Explorer standard, the creators of Linux seem to think that they know better. By refusing to adhere to recognised standards, Linux is simply undermining its own credibility.

Similarly, almost all of the world's most popular and widely used software is completely incompatible with Linux! It may surprise you to learn that your copy of Microsoft Office, Outlook Express, or Lotus Notes will not work under Linux. Those who wish to use their computer for recreational purposes are also out of luck, for almost all of the most popular games are unavailable for Linux. Although a wide range of software is freely available for Linux, these pitiful offerings are mostly unfinished, unreliable and do not bear comparison to their commercial counterparts.

Computer security is also an area that seems to have been overlooked by the developers of Linux. In these times when hacking and viruses are commonplace, it defies belief to learn that no anti-virus software is available for Linux. To add insult to injury, there is no Linux version of the popular ZoneAlarm firewall. By using Linux, you are issuing an open invitation to the hordes of ne'er-do-wells on the Internet.

The shortcomings of Linux are obvious. Without even installing Linux Mandrake, I have exposed several fundamental flaws. Surely it is not too much to expect that, after ten years of development, the creators of Linux would have addressed these problems? The real question that the prospective Linux user must ask himself is, "Why bother?" After all, Microsoft Windows comes free with most PCs and there simply isn't a need to replace it, particularly not with a product of inferior quality.

Although it is always tempting to support the underdog, Windows XP will be the deserved victor in the battle ahead. I recommend that those Adequacy readers who are hoping to upgrade their operating system patiently wait for the release of Windows XP, rather than foolishly wasting their time, effort and money on Linux.

I say, screw you Gateway, you did enough stupid moves in your life, Trashing the amiga community when you we're backed up by all the loyal fans and could have had a nice platform to sell, you acted completely like hypocrites, hiring people sometimes from another country, make their live miserable about a year later, and now you're bailing on AMD after convincing people how good it is? I mean, taking computer for a religion is pathetic, I'll admit it, but acting like you are is completely un-ethical and shows who's milking you. "Gateway, building lifelong relationships" well I sincerely hope your company lives "lifelong" too, whatever that means.

I don't want to see a gateway laptop, I don't want to ever see a desktop, hell! I don't even want to see a MUG comming from your company, the hell with you, you had your chance, you messed up two times, and two major times. People will remember you when you'll see the Hammer family out and some companies making profit. AMD will never say no to buisness opportunities, even if you dropped them. Buisness is buisness... too bad, some consumers don't think like that, and it happens that some computer-literate people have more and more power over purchasing decisions, be sure I'll use mine.

Regarding the AMD - Gateway stories, just remember that AMD isn't "suffering a blow" per se, as some people have been saying in relationship to this article. PC Sales have slumped BAD over the last year, Gateway and Dell have both been laying people off...etc. These are extremely tough times right now everywhere...not just the PC sector. Things are going to be rough for a while.

In response to stories today about AMD's business relationship with Gateway, please consider the following information:

Gateway continues to sell the Gateway Select 1400, a performance PC based on the 1.4GHz AMD Athlon(tm) processor. ( http://www.gateway.com/home/price/1000_1500.shtml ) AMD plans to continue working with Gateway to determine how AMD can help meet the needs of Gateway's customers. Computer manufacturers refresh their product offerings on a cyclical basis throughout the year. We work with them during each design cycle to determine how AMD's processors can meet the needs of their customers. This is an ongoing process, and we are always competing for business.

AMD's products are used by computer manufacturers around the globe. AMD's OEM partners sell more AMD processor-based systems today than ever before in the company's 32-year history. In the most recently-completed quarter, AMD experienced record unit microprocessor sales of our award-winning AMD Athlon and AMD Duron processors. In addition, AMD's worldwide unit market share for x86 processors has risen from 16.2 percent in Q499 to greater than 22 percent for Q201, according to Mercury Research. AMD today has the most diverse microprocessor portfolio in the company's history. We are providing our partners with leading solutions for desktop and notebook computers, and multiprocessor servers and workstations.

Try Gateway. My cousin bought one of them(he is not a techie) and has been nothing but pleased. I build my own so I can't give you any personal experience.
----

A quick romp across the net for similarly configured and priced machines yields the following results:

• Apple iBook DVD $1499
  1024x768 LCD
  128 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  built-in ehternet
  RGB-video out
  firewire
  
• DELL Inspiron 8000 $1549
  1400x1050 LCD
  64 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  built-in ethernet
  IEEE 1394
  
• Gateway Solo 5300 $1624
  800x600 LCD
  128 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  ethernet (optional PC-card)
  TV-out
  no fireware/IEEE 1394
  
• IBM A22e $1699
  1024x768
  64 MB RAM
  15 GB HD
  CD-ROM
  built-in ethernet
  unspecified external display port
  no firewire/IEEE 1394
  
• Toshiba 2800 $1469
  800x600 LCD
  128 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  built-in ethernet
  TV-out
  no firewire/IEEE 1394

(I have omitted some features either becuase we all know how the contents turns out -- i.e. the CPU on the iBook is much slower than the competition -- or becuase the specs were substantially the same -- everyone has USB ports and modems, so why mention it?)

The Apple offering seems to stand up to the competition pretty well, with the notable exception being the DELL Inspiron 8000 which just kicks butt up and down (1400x1050 LCD! profanity, blasphemy, and disrespect! that is some nice hardware! I wonder how well it does with Linux). Most of the stuff I saw that was significantly cheaper than the Apple system didn't come with built-in ethernet and had only SVGA resolution on the LCD, which are two features near and dear to me.

While you can't get a new Apple laptop for the $900 that some models from some manufacturers are going for at the moment, you are certainly not getting ripped off. I'd say that the old saw about overpriced-underpowered Apple hardware is clearly more myth than reality.

Disclaimer: I'm an old Apple hand (my first real computer -- the kind that didn't store its data on cassette tapes -- was a Lisa 2 running MacWorks back in 1984) who has drifted far into the Linux camp of late (though I do own some Apple stock). I went into this comparisson intending to show that Apple was a clearly better value for the price than PC laptops with similar features, but the truth has bested me.

P.S. what I wouldn't give to have support for the TABLE tag on Slashdot.

A quick romp across the net for similarly configured and priced machines yields the following results:

• Apple iBook DVD $1499
  1024x768 LCD
  128 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  built-in ehternet
  RGB-video out
  firewire
  
• DELL Inspiron 8000 $1549
  1400x1050 LCD
  64 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  built-in ethernet
  IEEE 1394
  
• Gateway Solo 5300 $1624
  800x600 LCD
  128 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  ethernet (optional PC-card)
  TV-out
  no fireware/IEEE 1394
  
• IBM A22e $1699
  1024x768
  64 MB RAM
  15 GB HD
  CD-ROM
  built-in ethernet
  unspecified external display port
  no firewire/IEEE 1394
  
• Toshiba 2800 $1469
  800x600 LCD
  128 MB RAM
  10 GB HD
  DVD-ROM
  built-in ethernet
  TV-out
  no firewire/IEEE 1394

(I have omitted some features either becuase we all know how the contents turns out -- i.e. the CPU on the iBook is much slower than the competition -- or becuase the specs were substantially the same -- everyone has USB ports and modems, so why mention it?)

The Apple offering seems to stand up to the competition pretty well, with the notable exception being the DELL Inspiron 8000 which just kicks butt up and down (1400x1050 LCD! profanity, blasphemy, and disrespect! that is some nice hardware! I wonder how well it does with Linux). Most of the stuff I saw that was significantly cheaper than the Apple system didn't come with built-in ethernet and had only SVGA resolution on the LCD, which are two features near and dear to me.

While you can't get a new Apple laptop for the $900 that some models from some manufacturers are going for at the moment, you are certainly not getting ripped off. I'd say that the old saw about overpriced-underpowered Apple hardware is clearly more myth than reality.

Disclaimer: I'm an old Apple hand (my first real computer -- the kind that didn't store its data on cassette tapes -- was a Lisa 2 running MacWorks back in 1984) who has drifted far into the Linux camp of late (though I do own some Apple stock). I went into this comparisson intending to show that Apple was a clearly better value for the price than PC laptops with similar features, but the truth has bested me.

P.S. what I wouldn't give to have support for the TABLE tag on Slashdot.

Gateway
Dell

They're selling P4s with 32MB TNT2 cards.... uhm... yeah.

Caino

Don't touch my .sig there!

where are you going to get these parts
.
.
.
for less than $2300 ???

Well,...? How about here. There's a lot of other places, but this one was easy to find. Sure, it doesn't come with my choice of Linux distribution or StarOffice, but, guess what, I can get those for FREE!!

You forgot the links Gateway PR dept and Sprint PCS.

...but have you checked out gateway.com lately? I wonder what used to be there...

According to the page here: on Gateway's site, it has built in home-phoneline networking. This is rather useful for many people, although lots of /. readers probably have cat-5 strung around (and /. readers probably wouldn't want to use this unless it could be hacked to not use AOL. although if it was just aol's browser, and not their service, it wouldn't be that bad for a device to give to family members to keep them off your PC).

In addition, it has optional ethernet, and dial up (V90). So I don't think you're too limited here for connectivity.

BTW, lots of PC's come with home phone line networking built in. My brother's Presario 7597 has a combo v90 modem/home phone line networking card plus ethernet built in. In any case, a lot of people will be able to plug these devices into their pc's pretty easily to share a broadband connection.

--

Sure. See the picture here.

And apparently it will connect to AOL through a broadband ISP hookup, so disabling the connection to AOL shouldn't be too hard. A hard drive will probably be harder, but if you can instead get it to work as an X terminal...

Well, the Gateway info page suggests this one iss being marketed as a supplement for homes that already have PCs, not as a device for people without PCs. "No muss, no fuss, let you kids surf the Internet while you run Quicken on the computer."

So, it's aimed at a different market segment. Whether that will help or not remains to be seen...

Shouldn't be too hard. According to Gateway, it can use broadband connections. So presumably it's just a simple matter of hacking...

Okay, the Gateway site for it is http://www.gateway.com/consumer/connectedhome/prom otedcosmos/kepler/intro.shtml

Anyway, it seems to be aimed at somebody who already has a PC, and wants an Internet access device elsewhere in the house. It'll be cool to see how it gets hacked...

As far as features, the iBook rivals its wintel competitors as far as price. If you want more than what it has, get a PowerBook; the iBook isn't, nor is it supposed to be, for everybody.

I'm not sure how it stacks up against most of the wintel laptops, but the iBook (especially the new iBooks) certainly beat the pants off of Gateway's new Solo 5300 laptops. For the same amount of money, you get more harddrive space, more memory, FireWire (plus iMovie!), a wireless networking card, and an Ethernet port. (The wireless card is optional and $100, but the iBook is also $100 cheaper than the Gateway.) The iBook gets between 4 and 6 hours of battery life (during real use, too).

Speaking of the demand curve, just look at wireless networking. Apple has been on the forefront of this, and IBM and Dell have just started to play catch up. Wireless networking on a laptop is one of the coolest things I've ever used, and literally has to be experienced to be appreciated.

So much for this "18 months behind the demand curve."

(My iBook also dual boots to Linux, which it runs really well.)

_pete

"Thunderbird" Athlons will be labeled as "Athlon, with enhanced cache", and unless you get one in a pre-built system from a distributor like gateway or dell, the processor will be in socketed form rather than on a slot-A PCB.
---
Where can the word be found, where can the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence.

How do you define a "bog-standard consumer PC"? I just checked Gateway's cheap boxes (I've never bought anything from Gateway, it was just the first mainstream consumer box vendor that popped into my head). It turns out that these machines, which retail from $799, include integrated Intel 3D graphics hardware. Without a doubt, that hardware doesn't exactly compete with the big guys' stuff, but it might be able to handle the probably rather modest fillrate requirements of a GUI. Then again, it's a completely different question when we can expect to actually find this kind of hardware in the homes of the consumers... Hm.

"Geeks, Where would you be without them?"

"Geeks, Where would you be without them?"

And if you follow the link under "Operating System - Linux 2.0" you'll see that Linux isn't even listed.

So it must be, umm, special.

Diggs

Wow.. That looks like a cool little box.. more info here

I guess the main selling point would be simple set up and config tools.. You could probably build something with more power for cheaper, but simplicity can count for a lot in this market..
-

Found this on Gateway's website, looks like the beast we're talking about here.

Gateway Micro Server 100

---

In other Andover-related news, the stock of the parent company, VA Linux, dropped below 100 for the first time today. This continues the screaming dive from the high of 320 only last December. How low can it go?

This is to be expected. The initial reaction of the market to VA's IPO could only have been described as (with apologies to Greenspan) irrational exuberance. The only reason they had such a huge first day run-up was because the market thinks Linux is nifty. After it starts to occur to people that in a lot of ways, VA looks suspicously like any other OEM, they'll start to wonder why they threw all that money at it in the first place.

Just a thought: what would happen if say, Dell or Gateway decided to copyright the eggshell-beige cuboid box look for PCs? Is this a possibility, or is the whole idea just a big sweaty pile of echydna's poo?

Gee, what if they did? http://www.gateway.com/prod/hm_astro_Matrix.shtml


--
"I have also mastered pomposity, even if I do say so myself." -Kryten

Does anyone know why they're not suing Gateway for their Astro
PC?

Does anyone know why they're not suing Gateway for their Astro
PC?

If I'm not mistaken, Gateway and others have, for a little while, at least, been giving a year's worth of "free" access with the purchase of certain models from them.

Like many others around here, I don't expect this trend to disappear any time soon. How many co-branded credit cards are there, anyway?

One positive thing about their service is that although you have to use Win32, you get a choice of email clients, which is more than I can say for MSN (yes, I fell for that trap). You see, I didn't like the way Outlook Express handled replies (the Right Way (IMO) is to put the reply and signature after the quoted text), so I downloaded Netscape and gave it a try. Imagine my surprise when it failed to connect and retrieve my email! I checked and compared between the MS and Netscape, and the only significant difference between the two configuration screens was an option for something called Secure Password Authentication. I later found a HOWTO-like document telling how to access MSN from Linux. (I became interested in Linux after I got my computer and fell for the trap.) It turns out that UUNet actually provides the connectivity. A couple items in the document explained things, though:

If you've ever looked at your internet address, you may have noticed that it ends in uu.net. Now we know that we don't have to deal with any proprietary Microsoft protocols (at least to connect).

Well, you should be able to enjoy most of your MSN account now. You can't get your email yet because thats hidden behind Microsoft's SPA.

Alas, I fear I've started to ramble. Perhaps a combination of sleep deprivation and caffeine OD.

--
This post brought to you by the elements N, H, C, and O, and the alkaloid caffeine.

WHo eats toys?

Apparently somebody does... take a look at this notice I saw on Gateway's website

We want to pass on a safety concern that was recently brought to our attention about the foam-rubber "Stress Cows," which are designed to let you squeeze tension away (pictured left). A few conscientious parents have alerted us that small children can tear or bite off parts of the stress cow, creating a potential choking hazard. In response to that concern, and in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Gateway has voluntarily stopped distributing this product and is recalling all Stress Cows previously given to clients. ... Gateway values its clients and believes that their safety is of the utmost importance.

Or if you look at this page you'll see you can get a different configuration of the Gateway box:

Memory 64MB RAM memory
Hard Drive 20GB Ultra ATA hard drive
$1499

So, much better deals with Gateway. A lot of companies probably already qualify for chunky discounts from them as well.

No sign of any Gateway-badged Raq's, however...

...j

We have these gateway machines here at work. They are TFT display PC's basicly. Floppy drive, CDROM, AMD K6, speakers etc. all built into the flatscreen monitor. Kinda cool, just not very fast (at least ours are not). It's called the Gateway Profile PC. Right now they are only in our training rooms. Good space saver, but that's about it IMHO :)

Gateway is married to Intel. They always have been. They have never used AMD chips

Wrong.

Check this URL for the Gateway Select(tm) line of Gateway AMD-based systems.

Gateway will discontinue selling AMD-based systems, but they haven't yet.

Do you think Mercedes-Benz would sue Ford if they developed a sports car that looked exactly like the Mercedes-Benz SLK? Of course they would.

If you read the article, Future Powers claims the egg design has "the most natural design to ensure the smallest footprint." This is not true at all. Gateway's Profile XL is flat-panel system that has a smaller footprint than the iMac and I am sure that other OEM have similiar flat-panel system as well.

Not only will Future Powers machine have the iMac design, it will be sold in FIVE different colors, exactly the same FIVE colors as the iMac.

I wonder if Future Powers machine has a round mouse too?

Here's an article with a side-by-side photograph of the machines.

#####

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