Re: Linux is not...

From: Ed Cregger (ecregger_at_ispwest.com)
Date: 06/13/05 

Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 04:41:31 -0400

Al Dente <nobody@home.com> wrote in message
news:0EZqe.3156$VK4.2797@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
>
> I've been visiting this newsgroup for the last couple of months, mostly
> trying to find a version of Linux that will free me from the clutches of
> Microsoft. Mot that I'm saying that MS is all bad... I remember the state
of
> microcomputing before the IBM PC arrived, and it was total chaos. Every
> company had their own concept of how the software should be written, and
> there was essentially NO compatibility, no ability to transfer programs
from
> one system to another. The few computer stores that existed had shelves
> divided into software for this system, software for that system, and
> software for systems that nobody can even remenber now! The MS/PC standard
> may be mediocre, but at least it is a standard, and I can buy or download
> software and expect it to run in just about any PC I try it on.
>
> That's what I was hoping for from Linux, but after downloading several
LIVE
> CD versions, I've found that they all do a great job of automatically
> setting up video and audio (something MS never got right!), but fall short
> when it comes to modems, USB devices, or just about any other hardware.
Yes,
> I know there are places to go and stuff to download that promises to help
> me, but I just don't have the time/energy/insight to do it right now.
>
> Like the author of the original post in this thread, I've been wanting a
> system that just plain WORKS, out of the box, and is reliable, not needing
> constant attention to the underlying operating system. Something that
would
> allow me to install "applications" that I want or need, update them as
> necessary, and would work with added hardware that I decide I want to use.
> Being (relatively) immune to "malware" would be nice, but the biggest
> attraction would be the LOW MAINTENANCE aspect. I was hoping that the
Linux
> LIVE CD systems would provide this functionality for me, but I've been
> disappointed so far.
>
> However, I've come to realize that I do, in fact, have such a system
> already! It's my HP Ipaq 2215 handheld. The operating system is in
firmware,
> which allows me to update it if necessary (already have once), but makes
it
> relatively safe from corruption. It's up and running instantly when I turn
> it on, no waiting for bootup and stabilization. I can download and install
a
> variety of programs to augment the ones already in place. For example, I
> have a mapping program installed that allows me to find addresses in my
area
> (Atlanta) while sitting in a meeting, and I've interfaced it to my GPS
> receiver so it can plot my travels. It's not as nice as a built-in GPS
would
> be in a car, but a whole lot cheaper, and I can carry it around in my
> pocket. I use the built-in media player to play .WMA files, and have
> installed a few video and .JPG viewers as well. The microphone allows me
to
> record meetings or quick notes to a memory card. I have an 802.11 card
that
> lets me connect to wireless hotspots for checking email or websites. There
> are some games, and more if I want to download them.
>
> This is not an advertisement for the Ipaq system... I'm sure there are
many
> other equally good products out there, probably even better since mine is
> getting old by computer standards! The point is, IT WORKS! It doesn't
> require constant attention, upgrading, updating, purging, restoring,
etc....
> (I do have a backup image, and periodically blank the software and
> re-install from the image, but the OS is unchanged and the whole process
> takes maybe 5 or 6 minutes). If this device was transformed into a larger,
> full-screen system, perhaps with a little more hardware (CD-DVD drive,
> dial-up modem, camera), yet retained the software stability, I'd be very
> happy. I thought the tablet computers would fit this niche, but I'm not
sure
> they are quite the same. They could be, though!
>
> m9876c at yahoo dot com

Your Ipaq is headed in the direction in which I wish to go. I am no longer a
computer hobbyist, mainly because of a lack of time. I need a no bull***
device to work for me and not require lots of attention from me to work
predictively, repetitively, over and over again...

It is time that computers left the toy age and became serious business
tools.

Ed Cregger