hi rick, and the bunch, in answer to your question, run Linux and dump Windows? here is my experience.
some things you must be prepared to deal with.... if the "help desk" at you ISP knows you are running Linux, they will treat you like a leper. They will tell you that you MUST run Windows and buy their over priced modems.(check if they can accomodate you. only if we (linux users)start demanding equal service will they provide it. this is my experience with Charter cable and Centurytel DSL. (I encourage all hams to avoid these two outfitsfor your ISP needs, if at all possible). These "help desks" places are largely Windows only operations. and LINUX users scare the B-Jesus out of 'em. I think they fear us cuz we know something they don't. 1) it really isn't necessary to pay the Microsoft Tax to make your computer run. Then, once you have it running, you don't have to pay the secondary taxes to symantic and novell, to protect your pressious microsoft investment from the internet vandals.which your MS sytem largely promotes and encourages. by running linux, you have avoided the expences they've tried to foist on you. there are anynumber of good, responcible lug'S (LINUX USER gROUPS) around on the net. If there is a UNiversity or college in your town, you've probably got a local group already... some hold meetings just like ham clubs.they all offer good FREE advice and knowhow that can save you time and money. like HamRadio has its "rite of passage" (CW), SO to, linux has its rites ... be prepared to learn how your computer really works and how the internet works (You'll become a Google expert in no time. be prepared for doing your own trouble shooting and fixixing. Linux is not fothe faint hearted or folks who have no desire to take it apart to see how it works,and maybe loose some of the peices along the way. Many times things don't just run for the downloading, there is usually some fiddling and fussing to be done. BUT, once your program is runing, its pretty much bullet proof. linux programs get a lot of testing from users like you and me. unlike MS, the lauthors of Linux GPL software welcome and encourage our coments and bitching... they're doing it mostly for personal satisfaction and they're not being paid by the hour or lines of code they produce. for example, just now, I'm having problems gettig w1JHK's "fldigi" rework of GMFSK to run on this laptop. It'll get sorted out in a few days, I'm sure. doubtless, dave will give me a hand if I holler. Surely other guys will suggest their favorite distros (I like DEbian Cuz the net install and updates are so easy.) but, check out Free BSD, too. there is probably a LUG directed at farmers and their needs and problems (I haven't done a google yet, but I'll bet its out there. you are near LaCrosse, WI (right?) both UW lacrosse and UW Madison have great LUGS ... as do the twin cities and UMD duluth. plus, you've got "LINUX-HAms" how much better can life Get? 73 & GL Harv , N9AI -AI9NL On 11/26/06, KV9U <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I am at that point that I could switch, even if I have to give up some of the software that I prefer, since I have retired and do not absolutely have to have certain Windows only software that I used to require in my business. Years ago I had a Linux dual boot and managed to correct my MBR and did not know what to do to get back to Windows, however, now I think I can repair that if it happens again so that would be an alternative. Are there any hams who have recently completely switched over to Linux? If so, can you comment on the pros and cons of your experience? Are there any good discussion groups that cover this topic? Has anyone had any success yet with the XP version of Win4Lin and running the serial ports? This seems to be the only stumbling block. 73, Rick, KV9U David Freese wrote: >I would like to announce that I have posted "fldigi", release 1.01. >This release consists of GPL source code written in C++ and uses the >Fast Light Toolkit gui support libraries. There is also a >pre-compiled binary that is known to operate on several Linux distros >including the Ubuntu derivatives. You can find the posting at >http://www.w1hkj.com > >73, Dave, W1HKJ > > >
