Like they won't do the same with the iPhone. I'm not a hater of apple but I think the whole iPod/iTunes combo is overhyped. iTunes to me is a subpar media player with (outside of rating music) a craptastic library implementation and the iPod outside of being stylish, is subpar sound quality to Cowon products. So now you have the iPhone with portable iTunes with the 99C a song. Yet, how are the phone carriers going to charge you for this fine service. If they just add it to their current data packages I would be surprised. Lets face it, They know how big iPods are, So lets make a "NEW" service with the iPhone which I'm sure won't be cheap.
Not saying the MP3 phones are crap but I would have to agree that the iPhone isn't worth the money. Why am I shocked that people will shell out 600 bucks for a iPhone but bitch up a storm when Sony said a PS3 woudl be of the same price. Sony was called super idiots for pulling that move, Yet apple sees little to no flack. Jeeez
Linux on the desktop has come a great distance in my years of being a user. Though I think the reason why OEM's don't pre-install is still due to some short comings. I believe that for Linux to be successful one should be able to get there pc, and pretty much view any web content, media content and all those "normal" day to day things people want to do.
We have productivity covered via OOo, Koffice and Gnome office apps
We have great media applications such as amarok
IM is getting there with being on par to their windows clients. By this I mean such things like webcam support etc (stuff I don't use by mom and dad will)
the big kicker is support for web and media content out of the box. For example, Ubuntu. Great distro but the fact I need to read a wiki to install cryptic package names to play and mp3 or view/listen to wm*. Also, Flash on linux still has issues with Overlay. See worldofwarcraft.com or asus.com to see what I'm talking about. Also, all in one readers for compact storage still doesn't have complete drivers.
So when it comes down to it, I'm sure OEMs see this too and are still waiting, Though I would side with HP on this that the tipping point is soon on us. Yet, its by no means a excuse to not sell OS'less pcs that have been tested against a distro to insure everything works and sell to the niche as of right now. Also, give us more than one model. Give us 2 or 3, either a low and mid range, or a low, mid and high..
I'm not one to usually make a post like this but man, some of you have went WAY overboard with "Linux will now die, SUSE/NOVELL will crumble!" rants. I feel as if I'm reading WoW's Mage Forums
Companies make deals all the time, SUSE is now part of NOVELL which is a company, a much bigger company than SUSE was at the time of the buyout. From a enterprise standpoint, this has the potential to big huge for not only LINUX but for SUSE/NOVELL for grabbing datacenter rights from our friends at Red Hat. I will say NOVELL should tread softly when working with Microsoft, no doubt but even if it bites them in the butt your looking at it effect SUSE more so than LINUX.
I truly enjoy LINUX and want it to make strides so if this deal proves helps make usability better than heck, I'm for it. Cause I agree with the OP, Though various distros have made installing apps much eaiser it still can be tricky from time to time. Then having to educate people what the difference between a.deb and.rpm is (or even.tgz for that matter), after a while they get that blank look on their face. Also, explaining you can't just pickup any ole cd from the store and run it also a bit daunting.
At any rate my opinion on the whole matter is that it is 50/50 or a stale mate and it won't be the end of linux since SUSE is just 1 distro out of MANY.
The nice thing about slackware is that there is no "admin tool" or "yast" or what ever to get in the way. Everything is vanilla so you learn alot about your linux/your system in general. I would have to say that if I had started on something like ubuntu I most likely wouldn't know half of what I know. If there was no package for the software, I had to complile and troubleshoot the issue if one came up. If I wanted to new kernel, no worrries, just download and install without fear of disto tweaks that will have an adverse effect when trying to update.
I have moved to xubuntu for my Desktop and Gentoo on my server because I really would like Pat to just move to 2.6 by default since IMHO, what you gain in 2.6 trumps 2.4 and I haven't had stability issues for sometime now since using 2.6. Also, I would love to see a lvm/raid opiton in the installer as doing the whole install/setup/copy jig gets annoying.
Just 2 minor things and I would would go back in a heart beat. I still talk up SLackware to people are thinking of trying it and squash people that bad mouth it. Slackware and its "forks" like Zenwalk and SLAX are are awesome
I did notice that if I told user agent switcher to broadcast as FF on XP that I would get the "loading" screen but still no folder panes, etc. So I'm not sure what they are doing but it seem that as of now....they might be checking the agent for what OS your using?
You know, I really thought that OSX would be the "Linux with More Hardware support" and for the most part that is true....then after paying some decent cash for what I would consider a "nerd" compatible machine (having the ability to through hardware into it and other such things,...mini's are niftty but I like my tower"...you find out that there isn't much for software. Don't like iTunes....sorry, not many other media players out there that OSX native, want to get a free burning utility...opps nope..can't do that either
I know there is the FINK and all that out there but if I want that....why am I not just running linux cause to be honest, most of the hardware I use...IS infact supported by linux and if it isn't...9 times out of 10 its low budget and not going to work well anyway. If I could have the beauty of OSX with the software options of...wow, dare I say Windows, and Linux (native that is) I would be a happy man and would love the mac platform
Hrm, apparently you don't work in an office because after 8 hours of sitting in a computer chair the last thing I want to do is go home, kick up WoW and sink another 5 hours in a computer chair. I much rather have the ability to play a MMORPG from the comfort of my couch.
Though I do agree with you that their intent is good but being carried out too soon. If I was Sony, I might rethink the price at time of launch. I would cut the price by a hundred bucks and launch with 399 and 499 respectivly. That at least would but it under that magic 500$ price point.
As a geek and a hardware junky I think the 599 isn't bad for how its spec'ed but joe user isn't going to see the value. Its not whats in the box that sells consoles its what on the TV screen.
I don't expect getting nice legal applications untill OEMS start supporting it. I mean as it is OEMS put the "preloaded" dvd software on your machine for you, along with a office suite.
So, taking a look at the big "off the shelf from compusa"..
Windows = The OS, some low budget games, no office and really no multimedia other than windows related
Linux = The ability to play such things, if you know what to get and how to configure it (thats the catch 22....see mplayer and mplayer plugin)
But...when purchased from an OEM they sell you the whole bundle. Windows gets it dvd support, office, media tools..etc etc.
My compaq laptop I bought not too long ago comes with a disk that loads flash, java, office, adobe.....they pretty much set it up to roll from the get go!
So, with that in mind, the pitch of "Linux has apps" becomes null as most users buy from Dell, HP or some other big name!
I agree that it will grow into itself but I also agree that need not worry right now about shoving the tech details down general consumers throat. Personaly just giving some minor facts and putting a small light stating its geared for the tomorrows tech should work. Currently I think more people are in a "we'll believe it when we see it" state since sony has a huge hype machine that always fall short once the product comes out (see PS2). With luck sony will be able to use the later release to give over the xbox and also put into place a decent online framework for dev's to work with.
I started on slackware and though it had me screaming "why can't this be automated!!" I'm glad I was forced to hunt my solutions down and learn Linux as it should be.
Trust me, I have tired other distros such as debain, Arch, Vector, Suse, RH/Fedora and a butt ton of others and always in the end I come back to Slackware. Though recently I have found fustration that 10.2 wasn't 2.6 based and the lack of raid/lvm configuration from the installer but in the big scope of things thats minor
Sure other distro have mechenisims to help find hardware and this and that but half the time they don't perform to my expectation. I'm down with a package system that doesn't dep check too, sure sometimes is handy but most of the time its like "WHY IN THE WORLD IS THAT A DEP!!"
Linux is a kernel. Distros make or break your experience in the long run. So, if the SUSE's and the RH's want to look at making things simple for the Enterprise than so be it and let the Linspires and Mandriva's handle the DE sector. Then you have all those other distros that are geared for use enthusiasts and everyone is happy and linux is still fun
Try to do that with windows....(gives a glaring eye @ his work pc)
If google made a cross plat IM applications that supports voice/vid I think it would do great. As it stands I hate running 3 to 4 different protocols under GAIM.
I currently run a small jabber server for my friends and I. So how sweet would it be if they have their client support both jabber and Google IM protocol (seeing that google doesn't use jabber..then..it would of course support jabber:) )
I would be happy cause I would have a resource to send/rec voice and vid and also have my jabber support for my friends in our controled enviroment
I can't agree with this parent more. I work for Ford and with the introduction of the new mustang I thought maybe they got the hint that good looking cars sell well. Apparenlty I was wrong as their new models (freestar, freestyle,fusion,five hundred and even the escape) are really nothing new
The escape reminds me of knock of the explorer (which I can stomach) and the freestyle looks like a knock of of the escape.
the freestar looks like a windstar with a new name and the fusion...well looks like a redesigned tempo.
the five hundred isn't bad but it doesn't pop out a ya. Then you go to their webpage and look at MSRP's and its like WOW...you want that much for that!
All the while Chrysler has came out with good looking cars, and like the parent noted, has seen profit and had thier stock go up as GM and Fords feel points per day.
I hope they can turn things around and start making good looking well priced cars (even though I know steel is outrageous)
Though suse might not be the lightest distro around the one thing it does have is options! On top of that layer Novell tools and you have a good combination.
There is (or at least was last year) exciment in Provo about what they are going to able to provide to Linux and vise versa. IMHO that type of attitutde is great for business and for Linux as a whole.
The issue I see when distro's colaberate is what we saw with United Linux. Though if you ask me United's issue (other than SCO) was that is was an after thought to what the individual distro's had going on in their own spaces.
One again my look at is "I don't care the distro, Linux in Enterprise is great no matter what"
I find that in any job anymore you have the likely hood to get screwed out of your "career path". Lets face it...Skill trades where the cats pajamas..then IT...so on and so on. Please look for easy money. This can come from "technical schools" that will take your money to supposedly make you money and tell you its easy. Now managers, being the bang up guys they are at judging people, hire these paper pushing people and the industry gets flooded. Since that industry looks like its on the up...said paper pusher makes a good amount of dough. Next thing you know flooded market hit rocky ground and companies pull out the huge "abort" button and nix a bunch of jobs. Industry slowly repairs itself and we see the people that really want these jobs get them at a wage they should really be making.
Now I'm a sysadmin and not a coder so I don't know anything about 70-80 hours of code in a week but I have this feeling that us that stick around will see some rebound.
I keep hope alive cause I like IT and I got into it cause it excites me. So even if shoveling dog poo paid 100 bucks an hour I would stick with my IT job...no matter the pay.
But In all seriousness, this is the 2nd time I have missed out on this con. I would think it to be good times as long as the schedule stays the way it is supposed to. Rubi-Con wasn't that great with keeping to their schedule and it seemed that all the lectures I was interested in got cancelled.
Hopefull next year I can go to PC.4 and let everyone know if it was worth the time.
You should check out the VENTO(sp?) from Asus. Its pretty cool looking with out being filled with lights and what not.
Why is it so hard to make a decent-looking case that doesn't look like someone riced it up with stupid lights or clear plastic?
Cause PC users like to mod their case. If people weren't blowing money on it they wouldn't still be making the product. Heck, I'm one of those guys that likes a "ricer" pc. I also like my main machine to be a TANK! Little is cool and I give Apple credit for the mini but I don't think I could ever own one and have it be my main system. I would rather go G5,....for the factiIt just looks like the mini would be a pain to upgrade and of course I would imagine that if I "break the seal" the warrenty goes by by.
all in all I think it just comes down to a different mind set between PC users and Apple users.
Hrm. I dunno the hardware is limited yes but the hardware you find in most MAC's come from the same people that brings to you your PC hardware.
I personaly think that Apple could make OSX on x86 work and still keep stability. Though I like POWER arch and I was glad to see the mini come about, I would love to see a "full tower" under a grand....and hell make it an AMD box! I really think if AMD and Apple wear to focus engergy into one another you would have some exciting product.
I like Linux and use it most of the time but I still want stability in an OS that I know 100% that ANYONE could use and I see that OSX....Linux is getting there but its not yet.
So when does "better security" mean "100% unbreakable". Lets face the facts here, Linux is great but it does have leaks. Does that mean I'm worried about it...not really. Why?, cause there is community that works to help patch such things. Better to fix an issue than know about it and leave it be *cough*microsoft*cough*.
Ok, I got an athlon 2000+..(supposed to run like 2GHZ)......does this mean I need to upgrade since it only runs at like......*hip shot guess* 1.2ish
ad apparently that FX5200 needs to get out the door as well.
speaking of which...I have heard good things about the 5900xt (I just don't have 500-600 bucks for a vid card...especially when pci express is on its way)...can anyone really tell me if its a decent card?
Couple of comments here.
Frist off I think Windows UI is faster. But when people talk about linux being faster its from the stand point that they are usually using CLI over GUI. Also, the WinUI is basicially part of the over all system where in linux it is not. I hope that Xorg will help speed up this issue.
second. Windows XP I don't think is that hot on even a 500mhz system with 128 megs, Especially with the XP theme and UI enhancments turned on. One they are off, it think it runs pretty well, this combined with making the box over all feel and look like win9x.
third. This also can be acomplished with linux by using a different distro combined with a different GUI. SOmething like Ide or XFCE or Even Flux/Blackbox.
Forth. If you happen to think that Gnome/KDE is too much and that FLux/Black box or the said GUI's aren't enough. Then pick up a book, starting reading and CODE YOUR own. I for one have enjoyed KDE and Flux/Blackbox depending on what I'm doing. Actually...I run Flux and use Konqueror for my Window manger if I need one.
its a bear to type on. I bought this keyboard at a show for 30 bucks. It doesn't have the name on the keyboard but its housing is EXACT. At night the light actually does come in handy but the fact its so squatty and the keys aren't raised very high, its equal maybe even a bit worse, than typing on a laptop keyboard.
If anything, its now on my server to give it that "awwwwww" look.
thats my 2 cents
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Not saying the MP3 phones are crap but I would have to agree that the iPhone isn't worth the money. Why am I shocked that people will shell out 600 bucks for a iPhone but bitch up a storm when Sony said a PS3 woudl be of the same price. Sony was called super idiots for pulling that move, Yet apple sees little to no flack. Jeeez
We have productivity covered via OOo, Koffice and Gnome office apps
We have great media applications such as amarok
IM is getting there with being on par to their windows clients. By this I mean such things like webcam support etc (stuff I don't use by mom and dad will)
the big kicker is support for web and media content out of the box. For example, Ubuntu. Great distro but the fact I need to read a wiki to install cryptic package names to play and mp3 or view/listen to wm*. Also, Flash on linux still has issues with Overlay. See worldofwarcraft.com or asus.com to see what I'm talking about. Also, all in one readers for compact storage still doesn't have complete drivers.
So when it comes down to it, I'm sure OEMs see this too and are still waiting, Though I would side with HP on this that the tipping point is soon on us. Yet, its by no means a excuse to not sell OS'less pcs that have been tested against a distro to insure everything works and sell to the niche as of right now. Also, give us more than one model. Give us 2 or 3, either a low and mid range, or a low, mid and high..
HAHAHHAAH
I think I just disturbed everyone with LOUD LAUGHTER in a 5 cube radius after reading this quick and game witty comment!!!
Companies make deals all the time, SUSE is now part of NOVELL which is a company, a much bigger company than SUSE was at the time of the buyout. From a enterprise standpoint, this has the potential to big huge for not only LINUX but for SUSE/NOVELL for grabbing datacenter rights from our friends at Red Hat. I will say NOVELL should tread softly when working with Microsoft, no doubt but even if it bites them in the butt your looking at it effect SUSE more so than LINUX.
I truly enjoy LINUX and want it to make strides so if this deal proves helps make usability better than heck, I'm for it. Cause I agree with the OP, Though various distros have made installing apps much eaiser it still can be tricky from time to time. Then having to educate people what the difference between a .deb and .rpm is (or even .tgz for that matter), after a while they get that blank look on their face. Also, explaining you can't just pickup any ole cd from the store and run it also a bit daunting.
At any rate my opinion on the whole matter is that it is 50/50 or a stale mate and it won't be the end of linux since SUSE is just 1 distro out of MANY.
I have moved to xubuntu for my Desktop and Gentoo on my server because I really would like Pat to just move to 2.6 by default since IMHO, what you gain in 2.6 trumps 2.4 and I haven't had stability issues for sometime now since using 2.6. Also, I would love to see a lvm/raid opiton in the installer as doing the whole install/setup/copy jig gets annoying. Just 2 minor things and I would would go back in a heart beat. I still talk up SLackware to people are thinking of trying it and squash people that bad mouth it. Slackware and its "forks" like Zenwalk and SLAX are are awesome
I did notice that if I told user agent switcher to broadcast as FF on XP that I would get the "loading" screen but still no folder panes, etc. So I'm not sure what they are doing but it seem that as of now....they might be checking the agent for what OS your using?
I know there is the FINK and all that out there but if I want that....why am I not just running linux cause to be honest, most of the hardware I use...IS infact supported by linux and if it isn't...9 times out of 10 its low budget and not going to work well anyway. If I could have the beauty of OSX with the software options of...wow, dare I say Windows, and Linux (native that is) I would be a happy man and would love the mac platform
Hrm, apparently you don't work in an office because after 8 hours of sitting in a computer chair the last thing I want to do is go home, kick up WoW and sink another 5 hours in a computer chair. I much rather have the ability to play a MMORPG from the comfort of my couch. Though I do agree with you that their intent is good but being carried out too soon. If I was Sony, I might rethink the price at time of launch. I would cut the price by a hundred bucks and launch with 399 and 499 respectivly. That at least would but it under that magic 500$ price point. As a geek and a hardware junky I think the 599 isn't bad for how its spec'ed but joe user isn't going to see the value. Its not whats in the box that sells consoles its what on the TV screen.
I don't expect getting nice legal applications untill OEMS start supporting it. I mean as it is OEMS put the "preloaded" dvd software on your machine for you, along with a office suite. So, taking a look at the big "off the shelf from compusa".. Windows = The OS, some low budget games, no office and really no multimedia other than windows related Linux = The ability to play such things, if you know what to get and how to configure it (thats the catch 22....see mplayer and mplayer plugin) But ...when purchased from an OEM they sell you the whole bundle. Windows gets it dvd support, office, media tools..etc etc.
My compaq laptop I bought not too long ago comes with a disk that loads flash, java, office, adobe.....they pretty much set it up to roll from the get go!
So, with that in mind, the pitch of "Linux has apps" becomes null as most users buy from Dell, HP or some other big name!
No major details have been released yet from what I can tell. So I think they just say "cell based platforms" because currently its all on paper...
thats a guess :D
I agree that it will grow into itself but I also agree that need not worry right now about shoving the tech details down general consumers throat. Personaly just giving some minor facts and putting a small light stating its geared for the tomorrows tech should work. Currently I think more people are in a "we'll believe it when we see it" state since sony has a huge hype machine that always fall short once the product comes out (see PS2). With luck sony will be able to use the later release to give over the xbox and also put into place a decent online framework for dev's to work with.
I started on slackware and though it had me screaming "why can't this be automated!!" I'm glad I was forced to hunt my solutions down and learn Linux as it should be. Trust me, I have tired other distros such as debain, Arch, Vector, Suse, RH/Fedora and a butt ton of others and always in the end I come back to Slackware. Though recently I have found fustration that 10.2 wasn't 2.6 based and the lack of raid/lvm configuration from the installer but in the big scope of things thats minor Sure other distro have mechenisims to help find hardware and this and that but half the time they don't perform to my expectation. I'm down with a package system that doesn't dep check too, sure sometimes is handy but most of the time its like "WHY IN THE WORLD IS THAT A DEP!!"
Linux is a kernel. Distros make or break your experience in the long run. So, if the SUSE's and the RH's want to look at making things simple for the Enterprise than so be it and let the Linspires and Mandriva's handle the DE sector. Then you have all those other distros that are geared for use enthusiasts and everyone is happy and linux is still fun
Try to do that with windows....(gives a glaring eye @ his work pc)
I agree!
..it would of course support jabber :) )
If google made a cross plat IM applications that supports voice/vid I think it would do great. As it stands I hate running 3 to 4 different protocols under GAIM.
I currently run a small jabber server for my friends and I. So how sweet would it be if they have their client support both jabber and Google IM protocol (seeing that google doesn't use jabber..then
I would be happy cause I would have a resource to send/rec voice and vid and also have my jabber support for my friends in our controled enviroment
I can't agree with this parent more. I work for Ford and with the introduction of the new mustang I thought maybe they got the hint that good looking cars sell well. Apparenlty I was wrong as their new models (freestar, freestyle,fusion,five hundred and even the escape) are really nothing new The escape reminds me of knock of the explorer (which I can stomach) and the freestyle looks like a knock of of the escape. the freestar looks like a windstar with a new name and the fusion...well looks like a redesigned tempo. the five hundred isn't bad but it doesn't pop out a ya. Then you go to their webpage and look at MSRP's and its like WOW...you want that much for that! All the while Chrysler has came out with good looking cars, and like the parent noted, has seen profit and had thier stock go up as GM and Fords feel points per day. I hope they can turn things around and start making good looking well priced cars (even though I know steel is outrageous)
Though suse might not be the lightest distro around the one thing it does have is options! On top of that layer Novell tools and you have a good combination. There is (or at least was last year) exciment in Provo about what they are going to able to provide to Linux and vise versa. IMHO that type of attitutde is great for business and for Linux as a whole. The issue I see when distro's colaberate is what we saw with United Linux. Though if you ask me United's issue (other than SCO) was that is was an after thought to what the individual distro's had going on in their own spaces. One again my look at is "I don't care the distro, Linux in Enterprise is great no matter what"
Oh man, the funny thing is..I said about a year ago to my younger cousin about yahoo :P
I find that in any job anymore you have the likely hood to get screwed out of your "career path". Lets face it...Skill trades where the cats pajamas..then IT ...so on and so on. Please look for easy money. This can come from "technical schools" that will take your money to supposedly make you money and tell you its easy. Now managers, being the bang up guys they are at judging people, hire these paper pushing people and the industry gets flooded. Since that industry looks like its on the up...said paper pusher makes a good amount of dough. Next thing you know flooded market hit rocky ground and companies pull out the huge "abort" button and nix a bunch of jobs. Industry slowly repairs itself and we see the people that really want these jobs get them at a wage they should really be making.
Now I'm a sysadmin and not a coder so I don't know anything about 70-80 hours of code in a week but I have this feeling that us that stick around will see some rebound.
I keep hope alive cause I like IT and I got into it cause it excites me. So even if shoveling dog poo paid 100 bucks an hour I would stick with my IT job...no matter the pay.
Go to the Ramada in Detroit :)
Oddly enough AT&T is right next door!
But In all seriousness, this is the 2nd time I have missed out on this con. I would think it to be good times as long as the schedule stays the way it is supposed to. Rubi-Con wasn't that great with keeping to their schedule and it seemed that all the lectures I was interested in got cancelled.
Hopefull next year I can go to PC.4 and let everyone know if it was worth the time.
and big willy better be there lol
You should check out the VENTO(sp?) from Asus. Its pretty cool looking with out being filled with lights and what not.
....for the factiIt just looks like the mini would be a pain to upgrade and of course I would imagine that if I "break the seal" the warrenty goes by by.
Why is it so hard to make a decent-looking case that doesn't look like someone riced it up with stupid lights or clear plastic?
Cause PC users like to mod their case. If people weren't blowing money on it they wouldn't still be making the product. Heck, I'm one of those guys that likes a "ricer" pc. I also like my main machine to be a TANK! Little is cool and I give Apple credit for the mini but I don't think I could ever own one and have it be my main system. I would rather go G5,
all in all I think it just comes down to a different mind set between PC users and Apple users.
Hrm. I dunno the hardware is limited yes but the hardware you find in most MAC's come from the same people that brings to you your PC hardware. I personaly think that Apple could make OSX on x86 work and still keep stability. Though I like POWER arch and I was glad to see the mini come about, I would love to see a "full tower" under a grand ....and hell make it an AMD box! I really think if AMD and Apple wear to focus engergy into one another you would have some exciting product.
I like Linux and use it most of the time but I still want stability in an OS that I know 100% that ANYONE could use and I see that OSX....Linux is getting there but its not yet.
So when does "better security" mean "100% unbreakable". Lets face the facts here, Linux is great but it does have leaks. Does that mean I'm worried about it...not really. Why?, cause there is community that works to help patch such things. Better to fix an issue than know about it and leave it be *cough*microsoft*cough*.
Ok, I got an athlon 2000+..(supposed to run like 2GHZ)......does this mean I need to upgrade since it only runs at like......*hip shot guess* 1.2ish ad apparently that FX5200 needs to get out the door as well. speaking of which...I have heard good things about the 5900xt (I just don't have 500-600 bucks for a vid card...especially when pci express is on its way)...can anyone really tell me if its a decent card?
Couple of comments here. Frist off I think Windows UI is faster. But when people talk about linux being faster its from the stand point that they are usually using CLI over GUI. Also, the WinUI is basicially part of the over all system where in linux it is not. I hope that Xorg will help speed up this issue. second. Windows XP I don't think is that hot on even a 500mhz system with 128 megs, Especially with the XP theme and UI enhancments turned on. One they are off, it think it runs pretty well, this combined with making the box over all feel and look like win9x. third. This also can be acomplished with linux by using a different distro combined with a different GUI. SOmething like Ide or XFCE or Even Flux/Blackbox. Forth. If you happen to think that Gnome/KDE is too much and that FLux/Black box or the said GUI's aren't enough. Then pick up a book, starting reading and CODE YOUR own. I for one have enjoyed KDE and Flux/Blackbox depending on what I'm doing. Actually...I run Flux and use Konqueror for my Window manger if I need one.
its a bear to type on. I bought this keyboard at a show for 30 bucks. It doesn't have the name on the keyboard but its housing is EXACT. At night the light actually does come in handy but the fact its so squatty and the keys aren't raised very high, its equal maybe even a bit worse, than typing on a laptop keyboard. If anything, its now on my server to give it that "awwwwww" look. thats my 2 cents