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Linux Desktop Guide
codergeek42 writes "The International Open-Source Network has created a desktop manual aimed at end-users with little or no prior knowledge of PCs. This manual goes through using The Fedora Project to do things from file-management to using the internet (as in browsing the WWW and using email), how to use the OpenOffice.org office suite, and even a basic intro to using the shell. This is definitely a step in the right direction for GNU/Linux, and the Free Software and Open-Source Software movements. And the cool part is that the entire thing is under an attributions-required OSI-approved Creative Common license, and is available in .sxw (OpenOffice.org Writer) or PDF formats."
...if it weren't for all the problems installing and setting it up. Linux will NEVER be a popular desktop computer until there is a major distro that really has its mind set on that and can get its act together. Going all the way back to Windows 3.1, even my worst Windows installs always end up with more things functioning than with the best Linux installs.
... *update program does absolutely nothing for 15 minutes, then crashes*. Darn. Let's see what my other options are. *goes and downloads yum* ... *after downloading most of the patches two or three times due to something getting stuck halfway through the download, one particular download (ghostwriter update) absolutely refuses to download no matter what happens*
... *init 3, install, change /etc/X11/XF86Config, init 5, high-pitched noises and monitor spiking and freaking out* ... Hmm, that's not supposed to happen. Lemme check that out online. Oh, you say Fedora Core 2 doesn't work with Nvidia graphic cards by default, unless you change a few settings and recompile the kernel? That's nice. I have a better one. How about, I give you the finger, and you get the hell off my computer.
I tried setting up Fedora Core 2 on one of my systems the other day and had so much trouble I ended up switching to Mandrake (and now I'm about to switch to Gentoo because Mandrake doesn't seem that nice either).
The first problem I had (and apparently several other people had) was during installation. I don't know what went wrong, but it absolutely refuses to accept my disc 3's. I downloaded disc 3 twice, did a checksum on it the second time to make sure it was absolutely perfect, then burned it (from two different burners) at low speeds and it still said "That is not a valid Fedora Core Disc 3" every time. Oh, well, I guess I'll just skip installing the things on that disc. Oops, no option for that, I have to reboot and cancel the entire installation.
Fast forward to not installing anything from disc 3 and getting Fedora up and running. Sort of. Immediately upon loading Gnome, it tells me I have some updates to download. 166 of them. Well, I better get started on that. *clicks through all the windows to download updates*
Well, screw updates, I'll just go through and do some of them manually later. Let's get to the problem of my videocard not using the proper drivers. *heads to nvidia.com and downloads the drivers*
So here I am posting in Windows XP, despite my best efforts to leave. I actually value my time.
At least GNOME is consistent - can you tell me why some OSX apps use metal, some use aqua? Its not clear there is any rhyme or reason. Also the use of a nonfree compression utility. If I can't download a free multiplatform version of the compressor (Stuffit), then go back to square one. Or maybe exposing unix file ownerships and groups and other multiuser aspects of the system to novices who have no idea. Or the best - requiring that the user drag uncompressed application to the Application folder. Hint - the OS already knows its an app or it wouldn't have told me. Even GNOME knows better.
1) Make sure BIOS is set to boot from CD.
2) Install Windows XP CD.
3) When prompted delete all existing partitions.
4) Make 1 large new NTFS partition.
5) Follow install instructions for XP.
6) Run this crashy buggy piece of software while you wait 3-10 years and check again if Linux is ready for your desktop.
Linux is NOT ready for non-technically inclined users to use as their desktop. You get 1 shot at introducing them to Linux - its callled a first impression. If their first impression is bad they're unlikely to try it again for a long time (possibly NEVER again). You need to present them with a simple to configure system that does things for them without them having to worry about hardware compatibility, and hand editing software config files. Until that's true DO NOT even THINK of asking them to use Linux.
I'm not trolling but I can't wait to see how this one's modded *grin*
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
your gui's crash?
sounds like dodgy hardware to me. the last time my slackware box crashed (except once a few weeks ago due to misconfiguration) was, erm, i cant actually remember it (long time ago)
maybe your only use very dodgy distro's/software, but more likely, your using crap hardware.
a good place to start is search for slax (its a live distro). when it asks for the boot option, press F1 and it will offer you a memory test, run that.