Re: Linux, the final decision

From: Kadaitcha Man (nospam_at_rainx.cjb.net)
Date: 01/31/04 

Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 20:17:29 -0800 (PST)

SuperDaemon wrote:
> Kadaitcha Man wrote:

[snip]

Hopefully we will continue to see eye to eye and have a good discussion
here. Let's continue.

>>layered linux applications still crash

> are you talking about versions of software which are commonly (and by
> developers) denoted as stable releases? If you are using stable releases
> they should hardly crash unless you have a unstable setup.

I have a stock standard Xandros installation. Only atop and gtkdiskfree
have been installed. Despite the accusations of others at my being a
troll, when I say these applications are crashing, I am not telling porkies.

>>and the GUI
>>needs to be restarted for any number of reasons...
>
>
> Not really, can not agree with you there.

Well, it does. For example, setting different display parameters
performs essentially the exact same process as windows... test it, wait
for a response, restart the GUI. I have also installed other standard
apps via Xandros Networks that have required a GUI restart. I will be
restoring a clean linux installation from disk image soon and will keep
a note of the applications and instances that have required me to
restart the GUI.

> It may happen more with some distros and less or none with others. With SuSE
> I used to see occasional GUI (i.e. KDE) crashes none since using slackware.

Ah, so far I can conclude that I am corresponding with an honest person
who holds a well-balanced view. Wonders never cease.

>>I've locked it up a
>>couple of times and applications have mysteriously terminated. Because
>
>
> Should not happen. First reaction would be to blame Xandros setup but it
> also could result from a non adequate hardware

That's a joke, right? Intel Server Board (SE7505VB2) with dual Xeon
2.8GHz hyperthreading CPUs, dual Intel EtherExpress 10/100 Intel Gigabit
1000 NICs, 2GB Dual Channel Kingston DDR 4-bit ECC, Leadtek A350Ultra
TDH MyViVO 256MB FX5900 Ultra VGA w/DVI Video-in, dual header card with
ATI Rage XL onboard, 360GB of HD space, made up of an SiI SATA RAID
controller (Dual 120 GB WD 10,000 RPM SATA) and two 60GB IDE disks, Sony
DRU-510A DVD+RW, Sony 52x32x52 CDRW, PCI-X FireWire card (PCI Express
64-bit/100MHz PCI), Creative 5.1 surround sound audio processor etc, etc.

> or bad hardware, or user mistakes in setups/installations.

The hardware is about three months old and in peak condition. I had to
do zero configuration thanks to Xandros (with the exception of setting
up my internal proxy IP addresses).

Even mozilla died in the arse on me yesterday. Someone posted a link to
an SWF file and it went POP! I can repeat it right now just by clicking
the link that was posted.

>>The only way I see a mass move of windows users to linux ever happening
>>in the next five to eight years is in the corporate environment where
>>there is a good support infrastructure in a common corporate office
>>environment; an environment where users do not need to think - just do
>>their work.

> or if they start charging $350 for longhorn?

Given the knowns about MS plans, anyone who seriously considers LongArm
as a viable desktop OS alternative to XP needs their head read. You can
kiss all your non-WHQL compliant hardware goodbye. As XP starts to age,
as 95/98 did, more and more people will turn to linux because LongArm
means chucking out all (or, at best, most of) your current kit.

It is my view that LongArm will do more for linux than Ballmer could do
in five lifetimes of non-stop presentations. At the moment windows can
use non-signed drivers, which helps with compatibility, but can cause
stability problems. In Longhorn, those hoping to take advantage of the
system's "exciting new capabilities" will only be able to use signed
drivers. Chuck out your hardware.

There is also a technology called Palladium. It will tell you who you're
dealing with online, and what they're doing. Palladium uniquely
identifies you to your PC and can limit what goes to your computer and
what runs on it. Information that comes in from the Internet must be
verified before you can access it. Palladium also controls information
after it's sent from your PC. It uses Digital Rights Management (DRM)
technology and can expire documents and files at times chosen by the sender.

[some words paraphrased or copied directly from MS sources]

>>I am still not happy with linux font resolution and need to do something
>>about that. Help appreciated - mail address is valid.

> fonts where? KDE? GNome? office apps? etc... KDE has a font installer
> utility under system adminstration and you would run it as root. You can
> use itto import/install your favorite MS-windows fonts if you want. I use
> helvetica for kmail, knode, menus and web browsing.

Yes, I know about the MS-fonts working, it's a nice interoperability
feature. I have brought Verdana and Tahoma with me to my linux
installation. The Xandros GUI is KDE and the problem is that the fonts
do not display anywhere nearly as crisp or clear as on windows. I like
windows ClearType, and the linux hinting technology (from Apple, AFAIK)
is not as good (IMO) - at least I couldn't find an RGB combination that
made the fonts appear less harsh.

You've given me an idea... I might tone down the white in application
windows and see how it goes.

> KDE control Center: Appearance & Themes -> Fonts
>
> Also: Internet & Network -> Web Browser -> Fonts
> and : System Adminstration -> Font Installer
> more : Desktop -> Appearance

Been there, done that. 

-- 
Kadaitcha Man: Registered Linux User #344402
Akhenaten: Registered Linux Machine #235500
-- 
Your Free Insult: Thou approaching, stilting, flag-waving farkleberry enrolling groaner.

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