Looking for a new OS...

[Tsyr]

Anything that's based off a spreadsheet will probably work in StarOffice -- I haven't found any that don't work yet.

Unless you play Hackmaster... The character generator spreadsheet doesn't seem to work in Star Office.

 

[Winterthorn]

I've used Linux... In fact, I use it, present tense, with a dual boot.

I would personaly suggest, if you are going to do linux, to try it out first and see if you like it.

Try getting Knoppix, or Morphix...

[practical snip]...

I have linux. I know linux. I can use linux (Admittedly, after a fashion, and I have to get help now and then). I still run windows for most things. There is a very good reason for that.

Thank you, the Knoppix lead sounds like a good place to start...

Anyone with further info to share?

I forgot: there are also OS-to-hardware issues aren't there? I hope, were I to pick up a clone machine, that I can specify hardware components that will jive with a Linux OS? (That ASL lead may answer my question! A "dedicated Linux hardware vendor"...) Okay, so I am "thinking out loud"...

-W.

 

[Winterthorn]

PCGen works? Oh great! Good to know

-W.

 

[Tsyr]

For a linux newbie, I would suggest a few guidelines.

First. No win-anything. Winmodems, for example. There are, I've heard, hacks to get them to work, but I havn't looked into them. And even if there are, it's just an extra hassel.

If your using a linux distro off-the-shelf, so to speak, don't go for the absolute top of the line in graphics and sound cards... The off the shelf distro might not have the best support for them, if at all. Now, of course, there are ways to get them working, but it's just another thing to worry about when your trying to learn linux. For example: GeForce 3 = Good. Top-of-the-line geforce FX released a month ago = less good.

 

[Winterthorn]

Actually Tsyr, I have been thinking about that regarding recent releases. I figure I would go for something that "has already gone around the block a bit"--I've suspected that very new is also too new... Thanks for validating the caution.

I had heard about the Winmode issue. Something to keep in mind... Wait. I'm on a DSL line with a router here, doesn't that mean I'm free from soft-modem issues?

-W.

 

[Tsyr]

Actually Tsyr, I have been thinking about that regarding recent releases. I figure I would go for something that "has already gone around the block a bit"--I've suspected that very new is also too new... Thanks for validating the caution.

I had heard about the Winmode issue. Something to keep in mind... Wait. I'm on a DSL line with a router here, doesn't that mean I'm free from soft-modem issues?

-W.

I'm not personaly familiar with DSL (Not availible around here), but if they function similar to a cable, you should be all set... Just boot up linux and you should be online. Just don't try to connect the DSL directly to the computer via USB, if that's even possible with a DSL modem (It is with cable modems, but...)

 

[Winterthorn]

PC Gen will work on linux. As for DTP, there is nothing solid that I am aware of (my info may well be outdated though).

I live in Linux, but my box is set up for dual boot so I can use programs like HPBuilder and Fractal Mapper. And the occasional game Games are getting more linux friendly, though - check out http://www.linuxgames.com/ for one community that reports on such matters.

Bookmarked.

Hey... I just briefly checked out linuxgames.com. Verrry interesting! There seems to be a Neverwinter Nights for Linux! (v1.3.1 or something like that...) Not that I play, but the fact that it exists is encouraging to me.

-W.

 

[Winterthorn]

I'm not personaly familiar with DSL (Not availible around here), but if they function similar to a cable, you should be all set... Just boot up linux and you should be online. Just don't try to connect the DSL directly to the computer via USB, if that's even possible with a DSL modem (It is with cable modems, but...)

Okay. Thanks. Good to know that.

-W.

 

[Emiricol]

Most of the ATI stuff is fully supported. I had a two year old Prophet 4000xt that I never did get to work. If you pick up Red Hat (after following some of the toe-in-the-water advice others posted earlier) it has a full list of all hardware compatibilities.

As for distros, I use RedHat. I've heard good things about Mandrake, but in my case there was some hardware conflict and it wouldn't even get into the install routine. Red Hat and Mandrake consistently get really good reviews, and both have tons of support for the newbie. I'd limit myself to those two, for starters, in terms of full linux distros.

Also check out www.micropro.com for fully tested and assembled PCs with some of the best prices on the market. I've heard good things about tigerdirect.com too, but never used them.

Another alternative is Wal-Mart online. They sell cheapo computers with some wierd flavor of linux preinstalled. Might be worth checking out.

Good luck!

For a linux newbie, I would suggest a few guidelines.

First. No win-anything. Winmodems, for example. There are, I've heard, hacks to get them to work, but I havn't looked into them. And even if there are, it's just an extra hassel.

If your using a linux distro off-the-shelf, so to speak, don't go for the absolute top of the line in graphics and sound cards... The off the shelf distro might not have the best support for them, if at all. Now, of course, there are ways to get them working, but it's just another thing to worry about when your trying to learn linux. For example: GeForce 3 = Good. Top-of-the-line geforce FX released a month ago = less good.

 

[drothgery]

Here on earth, the only non-Microsoft platforms with any kind of reasonable gaming support are... the PlayStation 2 and the Game Boy Advance.

But if you prefer PC-style games, that doesn't help much. You're going to have to suck it up and live with an Evil Microsoft Operating System, or deal with a very limited selection and a lot of waiting for what you do get.