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THG Linux Migration, Part Two

Posted by michael on from the got-linux? dept.

LqqkOut writes "Tom's Hardware Guide has posted part 2 of their Windows->Linux migration article. This time around, we're presented with some nifty divx screen caps that make life look oh, so easy. The Tom's crew packed a lot into this article, but did they sacrifice some essentials like 'RTFM' and other sage advice? This follows up their first article where users were shown how to choose and download a distro, back up some important data, and check for HW compatibility."

13 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. Did I miss something? by drewhearle · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Perhaps I missed something in the article... but why are the installation screenshots RedHat and the desktop screenshots SuSe?

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    -- If you can read this, you are too close to my signature.
  2. RedHat or SuSE? by red+floyd · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I thought TFA said it was using RedHat9, but the screen shot of a fully installed system is SuSE.

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    The only reason we have the rights we have is that people just like us died to gain those rights. -- Cheerio Boy
  3. RTFM by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Don't you just hate that phrase? The whole "RTFM" thing is quite funny if you ask me. I know of NOBODY that has RTFMed everything they touch.

    If I RTFM before I did anything, I wouldn't ever get anything done, as I would still be RTFM.

    I hardly ever RTFM, and when I do, it is in reference to a singular problem. As in, "how do I do ______", and RTFM section on that.

    Actually, if one could write a FM, they ought to be able to SCRIPT it and put it in a GUI, don't ya think?

    Here is a trick that nobody has thought of, how about a CLI command builder. You know a GUI interface to utilities and programs that doesn't actually do anything but create the CL necissary to execute a command you need done.

    That way, a person could use the GUI to improve their CLI skills.

    --
    Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    1. Re:RTFM by lordsali256 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I totally agree with this guy, I currently use Windows, but I have tried to switch to linux SEVERAL times, but I always get stuck in certain things. Wish there was a huge online linux FAQ that was easily searchable. Not Google either, I want something linux specfic. If there is something out there like this LET ME KNOW.

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      I am married, bow down before me geeks. Married men pray for me. http://www.htpcnews.com http://www.hackaday.com
    2. Re:RTFM by cavebear42 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      TFM has a purpose. What its all about is when someone comes to me and says, "Hey, Bear, how do I print a test page on an HP 4050?" or, "Bear, what would a guy have to do if he wanted the files in a directory without any of the other data?"

      I dont have the time to answer every question for every person. It is not logical for a person to figure this stuff out on their own but TFM were provided for people to teach themselves.

      Scripts are not the salvation of society. While I could make a script for many things (including OS setups), this would not make the person have any knowlage as to what they just did which would eventully cause problems.

      While it is true that I don't RTFM for everything I do, I assure you that I don't engage in questioning or pretend to be an expert until i have.

  4. high and mighty by MagicM · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Not to disrespect Tom or anyone else that cares, but this article just sounds way too "high and mighty" for my tastes. Some snippets:
    In Windows, you don't have much of a choice with browsers, as you probably used Internet Explorer.
    In essence, you get to see what is under the "hood of your car," as compared to Windows, where the hood is welded shut.
    While this may be true, it makes it sound like this article is for the typical "windows idiot", in which case "make sure you download the GTK+ development library" is WAY not enough information. And for someone willing to try to move to Linux (and get Oracle, Apache and SMB working), this is just insulting.
  5. Re:Win2Lin Migration HOWTO by neowolf · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Amen!

    I switched to OpenOffice and Mozilla about six months ago, and almost never look back. Except for a couple of crappy Web sites that only work with Internet Exploder, I've never had a reason to use IE or MS-Office again, and have talked several co-workers into using OO and Mozilla as-well. They are faster, safer, more reliable, and in the case of Mozilla- have much better spam and pop-up control. Fortunately I've had an easier time bringing open source software in now that our IT boss has embrased Mac OS-X for our art department.

  6. Not to mention by bonch · · Score: 2, Interesting

    People don't want to "see under the hood" or "download the GTK+ development library."

    They just want it to work, hence the use of Internet Explorer. Many OSS advocates simply don't get it. The obsession with "choice" and "freedom" has produced difficult-to-use software that gets reinvented by about 20 other competing clones, all doing things differently. Somehow this is supposed to be good.

  7. Re:Linux is GREAT for games by tandr · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ok.

    I will swich to linux next day HL2 will work on it without WineX.

  8. Linux zealots shooting themselves in the foot... by stienman · · Score: 4, Interesting

    In fact, [a particular program] is used in many some big movie studios such as ILM, Sony and DreamWorks. If it's good enough for them, it should be good enough for you.

    Quotes like this make me cringe on so many levels.
    1. What do they use the software for? Perhaps they only use it because some intern set up a script to automate a file renaming process. That doesn't make it good enough for me
    2. What makes you think my needs are completely met by something that meets someone else's needs? This argument has no value. "Kibbles and bits - if it's good enough for lassie, it's good enough for your half a bee, Eric."
    3. ???

    "I'm not a real Linux user, but I advocate Linux on my hardware site. Testing hardware is tough, but when my working evironment consists soley of Windows machines, at the end of the day I like to go home and relax at the command line of my RedSuseBian. There's nothing like a good scripting session to clear the head and soothe my tender muscles. Try it! You'll like it - I gaurantee."

    Bleah. Leave the PR quotes to real PR people, and just give us the facts.

    -Adam

  9. Synaptic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Just show apt and Synaptic and every problem with applications will be blown away. It is so easy.

    - Download apt and Synaptic rpms
    - Doubble click on the nice icons
    - Type root password
    - Run Synaptic from your K/Gnome-menu.
    - Type root password once again.
    - Download!

    Ive shown Synaptic to many users who have no idea about Linux. They got it in 10 seconds. "Whoa, is it THAT easy?!".

  10. is this truly necessary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    You've got to be a supreme idiot not t make the migration for some of the easier distributions such as XandrOS, Mandrake, or maybe even Lindows. Knoppix is also fairly easy and only getting better..

    Now, this isn't an elitist statement. There are plenty of distributions and ways to get to Linux that ARE difficult and fraught with peril, but if you need a dummy guide then you're not supposed to go that route!

  11. Re:Linux is GREAT for games by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ut2004 crashes all the time on Linux, but the demo ran fine, how annoying.