Harrell, Tim wrote:
I disagree with how much easier it is on windows. I'd say that installs of modern Distros like Suse are significantly easier than on windows. Take a new machine with a virgin (unformatted disk). I can do a default package install of SuSE 7.2 on this in less than half an hour (the IBM disks I have are v.quick). There's no way I can do windows NT/W2K installs in that time (you'd need half an hour on the reboots alone!).
Partitioning/Formating/Installing from a script does not an installation make. Your half hour install must be a server install. A full install of SuSE can take hours, over half a day, even on a fast computer (700 Mhz). And then comes the fun part (SuSE says have fun!): configuring your printing and soundcard; most of the things that are done automatically in Windows. Software installs generally go smoothly, DLL hell now withstanding, but that is nothing compared to the deps and intricacies of installing software on Linux. Then on using Netscape, its nothing but ugly, out of the box. Then one has the issues of SSL support and browser lockups and be sure to add plenty of memory, just like Windows.
Installing a VMWare client for Windows 98 takes longer than installing SuSE from scratch.
So what's the point here?
Also once you have KDE 2 installed, life can be very simple for even naive users.
I think you would find disagreement here from "naive users" as they stumble over printing, sound card, USB devices/support, setting up their dialup and then to have an upgrade that breaks their system.
The comparisons are unfair because very few 'naive' users buy windows systems where they have to do the initial partitioning and install themselves. They nearly always buy preloaded systems with all the MS software preinstalled.
Well, you can buy Linux the same way now from Dell, Compaq, IBM and others. Linux is gaining acceptance.
Also bear in mind that installs from vendors like SuSE have to take the trouble to worry about what windows partition's there may be on there and offer dual-host capability. No Windows install is ever gonna concern itself with non-MS software (ie viral software in the words of BG).
Bear in mind that many dual boot solutions, other than Lilo based, were done for DOS and Windows but supported Linux as well as other "foreign" operating systems. Even Linux vendors (Caldera) bundled in "DOS/Windows" Partition Managers. To enumberate the dual boot systems out there for DOS, etc: Ranish (Freeware), BootMagic, System Commander, System Selector.... And we won't tell about all the times the errant Linux install that was suppose to preserve the Windows installation would destroyed it, only leaving behind the visable but unusable partition. Not flaming. My home network consists of Windows98SE, RH 6.1, RH 7.0 and SuSE 7.2 Professional all running on their own boxes. Each operating system has it's place and use. I have bought 4 SuSE distros at full retail: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 7.2 Professional and there is no doubt that it is one of if not the best distro available, especially for the "new user" even with its challenges. Somehow missed 7.1 Pro of which I would love to find a copy.... Clint