Free Software and Cheap Computers

Legacy_user

I was reading through the rest of the board and noticed some very sensible information on where to buy and places to avoid. I cannot agree more with the likes of avoiding the high street outlets.

Anyway I work in computing (virtual reality and usability to be precise) and frequently get asked what to buy. Many people seem to think they must have the latest and greatest and when you ask them what they do they nearly always say 'word processing, web surfing and email'. If that is all you need then please do not waste money on expensive PC's or software. Simply buy a bog standard PC and install Linux on it. Or even better get some computer geek to give you their cast off and install it for you :-)

Linux, for those not in the know is a free operating system which in many respects rivals Windows. It's less prone to viruses and there is loads of free software applications for it, including a Microsoft Office compatible office suite known as Open Office (https://www.openoffice.org). You can download various versions of Linux for free online from the likes of Mandrake (https://www.mandrakesoft.com), SuSE (https://www.suse.com) and Redhat (https://www.redhat.com). Unlike Windows there are various versions available which means you can decide which one best suits your needs.

Linux was, and perhaps still is to some extent for geeks but the choice of interfaces has improved a lot and the newer versions install everything (including the office suite) out of the box. If you are using it for daily tasks its just as easy to use as Windows. The other advantage is that it does not require really fast or expensive computers to run on. For example I am running it perfectly adequately on a five year-old PC with a 500MHZ processor and 384mb ram. I thought that computer was condemned to the skip, but fortunately it's not. The result is for a cost of £50 I've saved around £400.

Linux is free, but if you are totally new to computing or a little concerend you can buy versions (and there are plenty to chose from, unlike Microsoft) and for around £50 you get something which is reliable, stable, comes with a free office suite, loads of applications and usually some form of technical support. You can get them directly from the vendor or via amazon.co.uk. Please look for ones released in the last few months.

The only time you should need to invest in expensive PC's is if you are a games player or requiring something for a specfic computer intensive task (e.g. graphics or lots of data processing). If you do need to play games I'd just go off and buy a console and keep your old PC for daily tasks.

What to look out for? Well there are some issues with compatible hardware but all the vendors listed provide a database of components which will work with their variants.

If you are looking for something as near to the Windows experience possible you could do worse than look at Linspire (previously Lindows) which is Linux in an even more friendly form. Have a look at https://www.linspire.com.

Plus points:

- Free or very cheap.
- On older computers it's ideal for those not needing to do very intensive tasks but is more than capable of being used for more powerful things.
- Very efficient so you don't need expensive hardware to run it on.
- Has everything you need to get started, email, web and office applications all available for free.
- Lots of versions to chose from so you can pick the one which best fits your neads.
- Loads of free software available.



Minus points:
- Not as polished as Windows.
- Not as much commercial software available.
- Please check the hardware components are compatible.
- Lots of versions to chose from. But my personal recommendation are those from Mandrake (although I should say a company I work for has connections with them). I am also told Linspire is very good but can't vouch for it.
- When installing software on a Linux system its often more complex than Windows. You need to download versions which work on your variant e.g. Mandrake, SuSe or Linspire. Otherwise it can get a little messy.

Linux has its faults, it's far from perfect but if you are an ardent money saver then these faults are far outweighed by the lower cost of purchasing new hardware and software.

Hence for those new to computing or considering upgrading, the first question is 'what am I going to be doing on it?'. If it's just web surfing, email and word processing then spending £1000 down PC World is a waste of money.

Best,

Rod

lellie

Linux is fantastic.. I use XP most of the time but used to dual boot with linux and am in the process of getting a seperate linux box too.

I recommend Knoppix if you don't want to go for dual boot. It's linux that runs directly off a cd creating itself every time you use it. It's really fast considering it's just running off a CD and if windows decides to be useless (which it often does) it's a fantastic way of recovering your system. You can run linux and use their built in CD burner to back up all your important files before reinstalling windows..

Linux also does have as many programs as linux. Pretty much ANYTHING that is designed for windows can be installed on linux using WINE.

lellie

also worth noting..

if you have to use a modem to connect to the internet (ie are on dial up because you can't get Broadband) it's probably best to avoid linux as it has issues with modems.. unless you're lucky and can find a linux driver for your modem that is.. (of which there are very very very few :S)

oh and if you're a nerd with dual monitors then you might also have issues with mandrake linux - it doesn't like having an AGP and a PCI graphics card..

System

Good point about broadband modems. I've had not problems so far but its probably worth checking with your internet provider or Linux vendor for a list of compatible hardware.

Graphics cards are a bit of an issue, with NVidia ones being the worst experience I've had on Linux so far. However most older and cheap ones from Matrox work fine.

lellie

Good point about broadband modems. I've had not problems so far but its probably worth checking with your internet provider or Linux vendor for a list of compatible hardware.

Graphics cards are a bit of an issue, with NVidia ones being the worst experience I've had on Linux so far. However most older and cheap ones from Matrox work fine.

yeah graphics cards are a bit weird.. my nvidia onboard graphics (I'm a designer not a gamer..) works perfectly with knoppix and mandrake though

steeev

Good point about broadband modems. I've had not problems so far but its probably worth checking with your internet provider or Linux vendor for a list of compatible hardware.

Graphics cards are a bit of an issue, with NVidia ones being the worst experience I've had on Linux so far. However most older and cheap ones from Matrox work fine.

if the modem has the option of allowing you to connect to your pc via an ethernet cable (a normal network cable), then you should have no problems.

Robin_T_Cox

if you have to use a modem to connect to the internet (ie are on dial up because you can't get Broadband) it's probably best to avoid linux as it has issues with modems.. unless you're lucky and can find a linux driver for your modem that is.. (of which there are very very very few :S)

If your Windows modem is a Lucent Winmodem, however, you'll probably find it quite easy to install the Linux driver you need.


See:
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2050#9512

http://www.physcip.uni-stuttgart.de/heby/ltmodem/index.html

lellie

If your Windows modem is a Lucent Winmodem, however, you'll probably find it quite easy to install the Linux driver you need.


See:
http://www.knoppix.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2050#9512

http://www.physcip.uni-stuttgart.de/heby/ltmodem/index.html

hehe.. I'm on a network now anyway so don't need to worry but used to have an old 56k modem that I tried for days to find a linux driver for..

catzeyes79

Hi,
I am very interested in your discussion as i am looking for a new PC. I am not a pure novice and can use windows quite well. Altough, I am no techie but love playin and trying to mess about with stuff.
I am aware of LINUX but have never used it and have only ever used windows. is it really that easy and compatable with windows. I am not sure if we can get broadband so the modem stuff might be an issue. However, I am very interested in the dual operating system and anthing to try and take the pennies out of Bill Gates's pockets (I hate microsofts monopoly and it's crap software).
Can anyone suggest a system or components to get to build one. I am interested in getting something that is futureproof for a while (well more than 5 mines) and something that can handle graphics
Any help would be gratefully welcome.
Aslo does anyone now any good websites were I can get good techie info?

Cheers
Thanks in advance and merry xmas

matty_c608

Microsoft is always referred to as crap.

IMO, it really isn't that bad. They are targeted by hackers, because so many people use Microsofts systems. Why do YOU think it's bad? I find a lot of people like to say Microsoft are crap, because they seem some geek saying it, and want to echo it themselves..

People often refer to those who think they know it all, but actually know very little as:

NOOBS!

matty_c608

Oh,

I'm not affiliated in any way with Microsoft, in case anyone was thinking that.