I have been using Linux for close to year now and I recently upgraded my
machine to and AMD 64 X2. I chose to install kubuntu basically because I was
using it before and frankly, it's easier for me to diagnose problems with stuff
that I am familiar with. I heartily endorse your impending move to Linux, it
is a very stable platform that can provide a good alternative to Windows (and
yes, I've used every flavor of Windows including Vista and still prefer Linux).
Here are some things I encountered:
1. Out of the box, the kubuntu installer kept hanging on my AMD -- I
eventually found out that I had to turn off APIC support in the kernel by
passing in the 'noapic' option on the kernel command line. The point is that
if you are experiencing difficulty, there is almost always something you can do
about it and it will help you tremendously if you have access to an active
internet connection on another machine during the install.
2. In general, you need to do some homework before purchasing hardware. I had
an old Lexmark multifunction machine that wouldn't work with xsane for
scanning. I did some research and found a scanner that is fully supported and
it work like a charm from the word 'go.' The cheaper hardware that runs on
windows may not work with linux, printers, scanners, network cards, etc.
Again, if you do your research first and find out what is supported, then
everything is beautiful.
3. Support for Word's .doc format is good in OpenOffice as is support for the
.xls. I have been able to create, and save documents in these formats and send
to my colleagues at work without any issues in formatting whatsoever. Given
that, support for .mdb and .pps (Access and PowerPoint) is not good. I have
yet to see a .ppt that didn't look like hell in OpenOffice and I have yet to
convert an .mdb file successfully.
4. If you use 64bit linux you will want to keep in mind that java and flash do
not have 64bit plugins for firefox. I use both a 32 and 64 bit version of
firefox -- I switch to 32bit when I need to use something that requires java or
flash.
5. If you must use MS-Office applications, consider purchasing CodeWeaver's
CrossOver Office. It's $50 but it offers very good support for the platform --
I am able to use PhotoShop Elements on my platform using CrossOver office with
no issues. It's a great deal for $50.
I know this doesn't address your two distro questions specifically, but I think
the distro is less important that what you do with it after you've got
everything installed and working.
Hope this helps-
John
Solo Voyager <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I have
been using WinXP Pro for the last 4 years and have no serious
complaints about the OS itself other than a serious dislike for M$ and
its attitude.
I built myself a new PC about 1-1/2 yr ago. While it is now less than
top of the line for use with WinVista, it is dual-core and 64bit
ready. It does function satisfactorily with WinVista Ultimate 64bit
installed. I've just finished taking a serious look at WinVista and am
very disappointed in it's value compared to its price, backwards
compatibility, availability of drivers, M$'s continuing decline in
attitude and so-on. I think it's finally time to give LINUX as an
alternative a serious looking into.
I am giving Fedora Core 6, SuSE and Slack consideration because of
their availability in both 32 AND 64 bit versions as well as their
being described as good transitions from Windows OS's.
I think I will try FC6 first. I want to install the 32bit version on
my old Dell Dimension XPS T600(ca. 2000) in order to become familiar
with it and begin the process of trying to get my peripherals
(printers, scanners, etc) working and looking at potential ways to
migrate Windows apps to LINUX or finding LINUX apps with as good of
functionality.
Right now, I am interested in advice for my stated choices.
Confirmations or suggestions as to alternatives would be appreciated,
if it doesn't start a flame-war amongst the differing proponents.
Thx for any advice or observations on this.
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