Re: Debian Desktop for a Joe Average
From: Karsten M. Self (kmself_at_ix.netcom.com)
Date: 10/01/03
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Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 06:43:40 +0100 To: Debian-User List <debian-user@lists.debian.org>
on Sun, Sep 28, 2003 at 11:19:06AM +1200, Edward Murrell (edward@murrell.co.nz) wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> A friend of mine has had Windows installed for over a year. He's getting
> somewhat sick of it due to the recent spate of virus and spyware that's
> rendered his machine unusable. He's asked me to reinstall Windows, and
> Linux in a dual boot configuration.
>
> The problem is this; while I've been running Debian on the desktop for
> over two years, a large proportion of the average Joe desktop stuff has
> never graced my machine. I've never seriously looked at any hotplug,
> automounting, gui configuration tools, hardware auto-detection, or any
> of the other little things that make an OS 'easy' for non-tech people.
>
> I'm hoping for a list of applications and software that people have come
> across which has worked (properly) every time. I am doing my own
> research, but I'm hoping other people may know something that I don't
> find.
>
> I'm aiming at a GNOME desktop, but am perfectly happy to recommend KDE
> if the applications support is better.
>
> * Things that I'm seeking information on specifically;
>
> * Automount of CD's for KDE. (Gnome has magicdev)
apt-get install autofs. Edit /etc/auto.misc to automount CDROM and
floppy devices on access.
> * Automount / appear on desktop, of USB / firewire devices.
Not sure.
> * Video editing/collection applications. The guy has a Sony digital cam,
> and likes to rip and edit movies. Connects via USB and/or firewire.
> * Versions of GNOME 2.x, and KDE 3.x that are stable - and that goes for
> the bundled applications as well. I like the bleeding edge, but the
> average user is not so forgiving.
You're going to have to compromise between "stable" and "cutting edge".
I'd stick with the current stuff, and upgrade to 2.x / 3.x when they are
available.
This and other "upgrade when it's available" issues are why I'd
recommend a Debian-based distribution. If not Debian itself, then
Libranet, Lindows, Xandros, and the now-defunct general-public
distributions from Corel, Progeny, and Stormix.
A more complete listing, though it includes a number of defunct
products, is here:
http://www.debian.org/misc/children-distros
> * Automagical detection of hardware.
Look into kudzu, available for Debian.
> * Something to handle screen resolution changes.
Define.
Unfortunately, until very recently, not something handled well by X11.
> * DHCP for the network, overridable by the ppp (dial-up modem)
> connection that doesn't hold up the system if no DHCP server is
> available.
dhcp-client or pump.
> * An apt-get shell that lists applications, rather than packages (this
> probably doesn't exist).
Currently your best bet is Synaptic.
> * Basic image editing software (preferably not something as complicated
> as the GIMP).
Well, there's the GIMP. And I'd recommend it. Or TuxPaint, which is
aimed at kids.
> * Those apps and libs you don't notice until you discover you forgot to
> install them - like gnome-spell.
Viva la apt. That's the magick of Debian.
> * Anything anyone else can think of.
Your friend sounds like a good candidate for a prepackaged distribution.
I'm hearing good "reviews" (e.g.: installation diaries) for Lindows. I
don't know how readily it converts to full-on Debian.
Some of the stuff you don't mention:
- Fonts. You'll want the msttcore fonts (installer in Debian, fonts
are on Sourceforge). And the freely available fonts someone
packaged for GNU/Linux and free software.
- Multimedia support. Patents are the major issue here. mplayer
supports pretty much anything, but has legal issues. 3rd party DEBs
are available.
- Sound daemon. Getting a daemon installed means handling sound from
multiple sources at once.
- Browser. There are several choices. Starting anew, I'd probably
look hard at Firebird and Konqueror. I've been a *VERY* happy
Galeon user through 1.2.5. More recently, Galeon has done some
incredibly brain-dead stuff in the name of GNOME compatibility,
largely being feature removal. about: is your friend.
- WINE and/or Crossover Office. Realizing that binary Win32
compatibility has its place, you may want to look at a compatibility
tool which lets you run legacy MS Windows software on GNU/Linux.
Crossover Office and/or WINE go a long way to this goal.
There's still a bit of work to go before an absolute drop-in replacement
is available. GNU/Linux absolutely *can* be used as a primary user
desktop. It shouldn't be pitched as a legacy MS Windows replacement
because it's not -- there are some things it doesn't do as well, and
there are a large number of things it does far better. View it for its
strengths, be realistic about its weaknesses.
Peace.
-- Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/ What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand? LNX-BBC: Bootable GNU/Linux -- Don't leave /home without it. http://www.lnx-bbc.org/
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