Computer Advice

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by teevee

I'd be willing to put money on XP Home (Pro is hardly necessary)... there aren't many other choices out there for the average home user.

Isn't Linux a viable option?

[LostMind]

hey brad...

IMO, linux is a viable option for a home pc if you have someone farily knowledgable about linux install and setup the pc and then lock it down so the user can't mess much up

When this is done (like I did to my father) the pc runs fine for months and months and months... unlike winxp, which my father managed to install everything under the sun on, every virus managed to find its way into the pc cuz he kept turning off the mcafee by accident and so much spyware/adware/scumware you couldnt turn on the computer without it attempting to dial madagascar 10x... and he didnt have a modem! (thank god).

Of course, with the linux option you need someone experienced to do occassional support... like when my pops suddenly decided it was a good idea to pick up a crappy old inkjet printer for $200 when they are $90 new... and finding drivers was a big pain... etc.

Invigor - that ram is pretty good. Not the best, but a decent deal for price/perf ratio consideration. Before ordering thru ncix, whom I have used before, but the order was 3 weeks late, try my buddy felix at synapsis.ca. He is really customer service oriented and will ship.

[Aquattro]

Locking down is a great thing. I run a Windows AD domain at home and use group policy to restrict how my kids can blow up the machines. They pretty much can't do anything bad, and I haven't had to remove spyware for months. This is of course not as easy on a stand alone box, but can be done.
Linux looks pretty easy even for a rookie to install, based on the last install I saw of Red Hat. My understanding was that Red Hat was really gearing towards the home user, although I haven't played with it since 6.2.

[Quinn]

Obviously various releases of Linux have been geared toward home users ever since Linux was the "next big thing" a few years ago. There is even Knoppix which you can run off a CD, how much easier can it get? However, my opinion based on what I know is that except in a few specific cases, it is not a viable choice for a home user who is not technically inclined, mostly still due to installation complexity, the number of versions out there, the lack of available commercial software releases (although obviously that number is climbing), the unavailability of support, and lastly, the amount of time I feel one would have to devote to keeping up with developments. I would also suggest that computer games, and the fact that the vast majority are only ever available for Windows, affects the purchasing decision of many home users, although multiple systems for each family member is becoming more common now. Most of the heavy Linux users I know of are techies. Scientists also seem to like it.

I think the only way we're going to see Linux begin to make a dent in Windows' huge market share is when storefront retailers (Staples, Future Shop, etc.) begin to push Linux systems. Dell sells Linux systems but seems to be targetting business users who need stability and who only run a small number of applications, versus the myriad of programs that many home users have (how big is your Start Menu?). Officially, "Dell recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional", and last time I checked, you couldn't buy a Dell without an OS pre-installed (generally Windows), which makes me wonder if Microsoft has a deal with them to provide incentive for Dell to push Windows. Currently the W3C reports over 90% of web users are running some form of Windows, mostly XP of course.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by teevee

(how big is your Start Menu?).

283 Files, 83 Folders

[Quinn]

Holy smokes man, you've obliterated me. 24 folders and 99 files. But I see I've proved my point.

[Invigor]

leenux rules, but for plug and play, (unless something huge has changed) windows has it beat, and most digicams are wonderfully plug and playable

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by teevee

But I see I've proved my point.

I don't think there was any doubt to your point, just that Linux is an option for some people, and cost-wise, an option that might be worth learning a tech trick or three.

[Invigor]

slackware was my favorite

i haven't used linux since xfree86 v4 came out...and the latest kernel was like 2.4.x

:P I miss it. I tried redhat but it seemed super bulky..couldn't figure out how to play cs either, so I gave up.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by LostMind

hey brad...

When this is done (like I did to my father) the pc runs fine for months and months and months... unlike winxp, which my father managed to install everything under the sun on, every virus managed to find its way into the pc cuz he kept turning off the mcafee by accident and so much spyware/adware/scumware you couldnt turn on the computer without it attempting to dial madagascar 10x... and he didnt have a modem! (thank god).

so what you are saying is the install I did of winXP 3+ years ago, should be taken off and replaced with linux because it will get so bad after a few months and not run?

Steve