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Have you tried it...lately?
Last weekend I downloaded the ISO images of RedHat 9.0 and Fedora Core 1. I had a couple of laptops laying around and decided to try out the latest versions of the most popular Linux distribution in the US. For those out of touch, RedHat has decided to focus on their Enterprise version and their workstation or standard version has morphed into the Fedora project. Anyway, I've installed at least 2,500 MS workstations in my career ranging from Dos 1.0 (still got the 5 1/2 floppies to prove it) to Windows XP Pro. None of these installations were any easier than installing either version of Linux. Installation of applications can be problematic if the software vendor doesn't provide rpm's, similar in nature to Microsoft's standard setup.exe or .msi. But if the applications are distributed in an rpm package, it's as easy as opening the file manager (nearly identical to Windows Explorer) and double clicking the rpm package. From there, all 99% of users need to know is how to run the applications they want to run. OpenOffice is remarkably like Office 97. Sure there are things missing, most notably an Access equivalent. But then again, such a small percentage of desktop users use Access that's as close to a non-issue as you can get. All my hardware was recognized and works just fine, including sound card, nic and usb scanner. The feeling that Linux isn't ready for the desktop is made by people who took a look at RedHat 5.2 and haven't even tried to keep up with technology. The technology and interface is there, it's just up to people to start using it.
Posted by: jasonp@...   Posted on: 02/04/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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White paper vs white paper  Jose Jimenez | 02/03/04
Why IBM?  IT_User | 02/04/04
Because....  Jose Jimenez | 02/04/04
Thanks, actually  IT_User | 02/04/04
MS has excellent SB Solutions  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
MS has excellent SB Solutions  next_on_to_desktops | 02/03/04
Customizations  voska | 02/04/04
Is that you, NAG?  zd-spam | 02/03/04
Actually, Microsoft "solutions" are BS  Chris Moller | 02/03/04
They arent total BS  Suicida| | 02/03/04
More can't resist material  tic swayback | 02/04/04
Next up on Trolling For Dollars...  wploger | 02/04/04
Butting in ...  Still Lynn | 02/06/04
MS has excellent BS Solutions!  SpikeyMike_z | 02/04/04
Re: MS has excellent SB Solutions  mbratch | 02/04/04
I think Microsft is worried.  Squawkbox | 02/03/04
Interoperability! "I admire your notion of fair odds!"  IT_User | 02/03/04
I love the smell of competition in the morning air  Squawkbox | 02/03/04
That's how it usually goes  Chad_z | 02/03/04
already  jorge@... | 02/03/04
So called 'Linux' on the desktop  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
In the enterprise? That worries you?  IT_User | 02/03/04
Offshoring  next_on_to_desktops | 02/03/04
BTW -  next_on_to_desktops | 02/03/04
Ooo, Ooo Pick Me, Pick Me  el1jones | 02/04/04
Ignorance must be bliss  Suicida| | 02/03/04
Have you tried it...lately?  jasonp@... | 02/04/04
Try it, You'll like it  Mark Gist | 02/04/04
Bitty makes no sense again  OhMyGosh | 02/04/04
Cyclical  SpikeyMike_z | 02/04/04
sink or swim  jpstang | 02/04/04
Break time!  Still Lynn | 02/08/04
MICROSUCKS IS IN DENIAL !!!  realitycheck101 | 02/03/04
Wow...  Martin Marvinski | 02/04/04
IBM OFFSHORING AMERICAN JOBS  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
And what is it that makes you think.....  Jose Jimenez | 02/03/04
Well read the link here Jose  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
Read it. What's more, I comprehend it.  Jose Jimenez | 02/03/04
MS is not innocent re off shore workers  MacCanuck | 02/04/04
Red herring alert!  IT_User | 02/03/04
spottted  next_on_to_desktops | 02/03/04
Not sure what the big deal is...  B.O.F.H. | 02/03/04
FACT  bhanes@... | 02/04/04
Duh! MS Offshores jobs, too  mbratch | 02/04/04
MS tell how IBM is OFFSHORING JOBS  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
Read the article  IT_User | 02/03/04
Microsoft sends jobs overseas  B.O.F.H. | 02/03/04
So?  bhanes@... | 02/04/04
Curious is MS doing the same??  voska | 02/04/04
Microsoft took on reverse-engineering ....  Bill4 | 02/03/04
IBM is OFFSHORING IT jobs like wildfire  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
Hey, FUDmeister......  Jose Jimenez | 02/03/04
I am happy the article was read  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
I agree with you...  Jose Jimenez | 02/03/04
Linux not most at fault, definitely  Anton Philidor | 02/04/04
You're being rather silly  j.m.galvin | 02/04/04
linux = offshoring?  blahblahblah | 02/04/04
No , but Microsoft is  IT_User | 02/03/04
number do not lie  JWatson77 | 02/03/04
NAG, get a life...  zd-spam | 02/03/04
????  bhanes@... | 02/04/04
Comparing apples to polar bears  Still Lynn | 02/08/04
LINUX is moving to INDIA.... FACT  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
When did Microsoft adopt Linux?  IT_User | 02/03/04
HAHAHAHAhahahahaha...  Yen_z | 02/03/04
LOL excellent point  el1jones | 02/04/04
Except No_Ax can spell  Chad_z | 02/04/04
cheap shot - hmmm.... but are you No_Ax also  el1jones | 02/04/04
How they gonna squeeze all those people in India  Xunil_Sierutuf | 02/03/04
Fact  Jake_z | 02/03/04
You still at it, NAG?  zd-spam | 02/03/04
no, FICTION  Chris Moller | 02/03/04
IBM is not linux you dolt  Suicida| | 02/03/04
Bagdhad Bob!  wploger | 02/04/04
no reference to Linux in that article  blahblahblah | 02/04/04
History's largest criminal monopoly...  moiety | 02/03/04
Not the largest  rapson | 02/03/04
convicted\criminal - whats the diff happy  JWatson77 | 02/03/04
Semantics  rapson | 02/04/04
Please stick to subject matter...  ambiguity | 02/04/04
IT jobs will be doomed like Manufacturing jobs  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
If you can't roll with the punches...  ambiguity | 02/04/04
agreed, however  blahblahblah | 02/04/04
IBM the Leader in Offshoring jobs  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
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Re: Unfortunately so is everyone else  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
On the Enterprise or in the Enterprise?  wploger | 02/04/04
Could spell the death of proprietary software  voska | 02/04/04
Probably not  j.m.galvin | 02/04/04
commodization a reality?  blahblahblah | 02/04/04
Selling proprietary software cheaper may not work either  Still Lynn | 02/08/04
Hey, souther_pride . . .  brble | 02/03/04
...  Yen_z | 02/03/04
IBM the Leader in Offshoring jobs  afterbrnr | 02/04/04
How much screaming will MS do when it goes down?  Xunil_Sierutuf | 02/03/04
Yes, good thing...  Spoon Jabber | 02/03/04
Tell me more...  ambiguity | 02/04/04
re : errrrrr.....em right  JWatson77 | 02/03/04
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NEWS: New Microsoft Study Confirms the World is Flat ...  Plain Logic | 02/03/04
Another train wreck ahead for Microsoft  George Mitchell | 02/03/04
MS has never marketed to techies  j.m.galvin | 02/04/04
Agree. Then a question  IT_User | 02/04/04
I was illustrating credibility with non tech people  j.m.galvin | 02/04/04
That wasn't meant as a shot at you  IT_User | 02/04/04
Yo, souther_pride: ALL Companies are offshoring our jobs.  Plain Logic | 02/03/04
Yes, most companies are Offshoring jobs  Christian_<>< | 02/03/04
Someone sounds bitter... and wrong.  Mastameat | 02/04/04
top IT talent  blahblahblah | 02/04/04
IBM and Linux way better  FilledOut | 02/03/04
ZDNET sure is strange.  Cardinal_Bill | 02/03/04
The nerve of MS  michael-t | 02/03/04
The studies are for Win Techies to use with bosses  el1jones | 02/04/04
It's okay to say  Chad_z | 02/04/04
If you're a good consultant...  ambiguity | 02/04/04
I do tell them that  Chad_z | 02/04/04
The studies may lie but the numbers don't  Chad_z | 02/04/04
Unrealistic  ambiguity | 02/04/04
some truth in their claims...BUT  jimk_z | 02/03/04
Microsoft definition of "interoperable"..  MarcB_z | 02/04/04
Check out today's (2/4) Dilbert  jfrankcarr | 02/04/04
Dilbert's right on the mark, here's the link...  jdoe512 | 02/04/04
Interoperability  KingLinux | 02/04/04
Sure.......  tslocum7 | 02/04/04
M$ is making a BIG mistake  swbobcat | 02/04/04
Uh, bad areana to pick for Microsoft...  Frodo42 | 02/04/04
How about a link?  d_jedi | 02/04/04
Required Reading for Linux Zealots  marksashton | 02/04/04
Are you kidding?  rapson | 02/04/04
He's not kidding us ...  Still Lynn | 02/08/04
a Few, but no all  el1jones | 02/04/04
If you think zealotry is exclusive...  Jose Jimenez | 02/04/04
hmmmm i see  afterbrnr | 02/04/04
The Open Source Movement Is Becoming misguided!  civilised | 02/05/04
Don't fall for the propaganda  bit_rot | 02/05/04
Don't be misled  Jose Jimenez | 02/05/04
"Connecting"? Does MS Mean "Lock-in"?  brenthawkinsmd | 02/04/04
IBM's Linux - Ultimate Vendor Lockin  miles@... | 02/04/04
Lockin?  IT_User | 02/04/04
Why?  j.m.galvin | 02/04/04
"Windows Linux is another world."  Jes|er | 02/05/04
But wait, how much would you pay now?  Still Lynn | 02/08/04
M$ confirms monopoly status by attack  drichards1953 | 02/04/04
Paying for research not the only problem  YuridaMan | 02/04/04
M$ Sucks, Linux Rocks.  Jes|er | 02/05/04
Windows cheaper to run then Linux? Read this.  Jes|er | 02/05/04

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