Most Suitable Linux Software

Kernel_Sanders

patman99 wrote: »

The days of having to 'poke-and-prod' to get Linux to work with devices that previously only worked uner Windows are very much in the past.

It would seem that 'poking-and-proding' is exactly what you had to do....

patman99 wrote: »

...OSM still remained unusable.
I tried many distros (including trying to do a custom build based on 'Arch'). In the end, the only one that would sucessfully install....

esuhl

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

That's just about the most intuitive post I've ever read on these boards; I now see why you have been trying to promote this distro. Along with the earlier revelation that the whole OS never has to be reinstalled...

Hey, thanks! One of the main principles of Arch is that it should be as simple as possible. To quote their wiki:

Arch Linux defines simplicity as without unnecessary additions, modifications, or complications, and provides a lightweight UNIX-like base structure that allows an individual user to shape the system according to their own needs. In short: an elegant, minimalist approach.

...

Arch Linux retains the inherent complexities of a GNU/Linux system, while keeping them well organized and transparent. Arch Linux developers and users believe that trying to hide the complexities of a system actually results in an even more complex system, and is therefore to be avoided.

Okay, okay -- I'll stop plugging it for a bit now!

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I'm still struggling to get my head round the Linux tree (please don't expend more time explaining, people have already tried to impart this knowledge in exquisite detail on here!)

Okay... I said it's really hard to explain without a diagram, so with no more explanation... Does this help:

esuhl

patman99 wrote: »

How easy is it for a Windows user to adapt to Linux ?. Well, 3 Scout Leaders managed to use the netbook to access and use OSM with only an enquirey as to the log-on details. No-one even questioned the change of OS.

Using Linux is trivially easy... depending what you mean by "using". Firefox is almost identical under Windows and Linux. How could anyone who can use the Windows version not be able to use the Linux version?!

But there is more to Linux than just running an application!

GunJack

esuhl wrote: »

Using Linux is trivially easy... depending what you mean by "using". Firefox is almost identical under Windows and Linux. How could anyone who can use the Windows version not be able to use the Linux version?!

But there is more to Linux than just running an application!

And that's the issue !!! on the occasions I use puppy, it's to see if I can read a possibly failing hdd, and copy files off it onto a usb, etc. and to browse for info whilst fault-finding on another machine. Great, dead easy, no probs....

BUT when it comes to doing other stuff, that's when it doesn't "just work" in the same way as windows - I STILL don't have flash installed for Opera on my puppy setup :mad: and I'm now convinced it's either impossible or I must be mr thick from thicksville and I'm just not getting it