Plug for latest KDE

[Atash Hagmahani]

http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fcreative.asp?edid=27844

Linux is much cheaper to own (free, potentially) than Vista or Mac. I dunno about the Mac these days, but at this point Vista is "bloatware". I recently read an article--might have even posted it--about someone else testing it for memory and CPU usage, and just as I have long claimed, it's busy (to the point of thrashing the hard disk) even when the user isn't doing anything. It has a strange habit of page faulting constantly.

[The Future]

what is KDE?

[Atash Hagmahani]

It's one of several possible Linux desktops. Vista is such bloatware, and Microsoft has such a bad attitude towards other people's privacy and security, that some of us have opted out.

[Mike]

Count me as a Linux enthusiast.  I've been using it for over two years.  It is fast and stable and free... (but I choose to donate a little money to Puppy Linux). 

People who are not willing to put some effort into making software work should stick with windows or Mac.  But for me, the cost, speed and safety from viruses makes it worth the extra effort.

[Dame]

I still struggle with basic Windows systems, so find myself intimidated by the prospect of extra work.

[Mike]

One could try Linux, that is what I did.  Since Puppy Linux runs from CD and memory, it can be used without disturbing the Windows on the hard drive.

At first I used Puppy Linux just for surfing, then configured the emailx.

So far, so good.

Then dual display.  That was really difficult.

Then the scanner (not as difficult as dual display.)

Then the printer; about as difficult as the scanner.

Next?  will probably be some kind of Linux banking program, like Quicken.... but for Linux.

For basic surfing Puppy Linux with the Seamonkey browser works great and was easy to get used to.  Configuring peripherals was nightmarish.  I am not sure it was worth the effort.  I spent an amazing amount of time on it.

*********8

How about browsers?  What browsers do we use, and why?

I use Seamonkey.... just because it came with Puppy Linux.

[oscar615]

I am actually a certified Linux admin.  Haven't used it much in a while.  Corporations mostly go with Windows. Anyway, I like Linux and have a computer that runs it. I also have three windoze computers , 2 Xp and one Vista, in my house.  All networked together.  It has many advantages and free software for just about any purpose. And over the last few years it has become much more user friendly.  No longer strictly command line.  It also is getting easier to install the OS and programs into it.  But MS still has it beat there.  You want plug and play you still need to go with MS products.  The problem is compatability.  In this world most people have Microsoft programs.  If you want someone to be able to read the files you need to save them in Microsft formats.  I know, there are Linux office suites that say they are compatible, open office etc.  But in the real world it doesn't work as well as the developers hope.  And since Microsft wants to keep their monopoly they change the format each time they come out with a new verion of office.  I hope Linux will one day overcome MS, and it is getting better, but it is not there yet.  And you are totally correct about Vista being bloatware.  It is such a hog, slow and frustrating.  And with all the DRM built into it, well don't get me started. 

[Publius]

The Army made me upgrade our computers to Vista a few weeks ago. Everyone was asking "is it better?" My answer was "NO! You'll see." LT said "You were right this sucks." I wanted to stay with XP, but no can do. The Army is way behind corporate America in it's IT infrastructure. I shake my head on a daily basis over this.