The last time I used this forum I was using Windows. I bought the parts to make a new quiet PC. I decided for many reasons I had to use Linux, which comes with virtually all of the software needed for all the files commonly used in Windows. I installed Linux (Mandriva 2007 which only cost me £4/$6) on my PC which has onboard graphics. It was easy to install & just about everything works great. I found that Linux uses generic drivers for most hardware, including the sound, onboard USB, serial port/broadband modems & display, so I never had to install any driver software at all (anyone wishing to use Linux can see what I did at http://www.linuxlinux.co.nr).
I installed Mandriva 32bit. I could have installed the 64bit version if I wanted to, but I needed to use certain Windows software using what's called Wine(Windows emulator). I do have a 64bit AMD Sempron cpu, but since I installed the 32bit OS I can't tell how much better it would have been, although I did read one review which said it was faster.
I have viewed dvd's which work fine. There's no spyware/virus problems either.
Linux automatically handles screen refresh rates. I found that Mandriva can use monitors with resolutions up to 1600x1200, flat screens up to 1920x1200. My motherboard's software drivers would never reach that much. And Microsoft, a commercial product, take little responsibility for writing generic hardware drivers. Even if the motherboard's XP drivers work with Vista, they probably won't with what comes afterwards. In the far future Linux will work with your current & older motherboard hardware.
Mandriva can take you through the wifi card set up if you have one. Linux comes with many printer drivers.
Linux will co-exist with Windows on the hard drive. I hear stories of people sticking with XP as they can't afford Vista, or 98 because they can't afford XP or using 64bit Linux because they're not paying for 64bit XP/Vista.
Mandriva & the other major Linux OSs come out every 6 months.
See
http://www.linuxforums.org/reviews/Mand ... eview.html
or http://www.linuxiso.co.uk/product_info. ... cts_id=113 has a very impressive on-screen demo of the Linux desktop.
My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
Re: My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
I believe you were lucky! 
Almost all the times i have messed with linux the last thing that worked fine for me was video output hehehe. I always had to play with Xorg (resolutions refresh rates etc, researching to find the correct Hz specs etc) and i wasnt using anything fancy (ati, tv out, dual head). The generic drivers things is fine, as long as the system is not bloated-full of them (like some distros that support everything).
Anyway the thing is that generic/non generic you may have to mess up with things that you are not supposed to to make things work
(aka i had to compile a newer kernel that the latest on ubuntu distros because of buggy support of sensors on my current one, on my main OS i just click on a free program and i have the all info and control i need and has been like that for years)
Linux is nice, it still needs alot of effort from the user for things that should just work or at least not require people wrestling in a console and how-to guides.
Don't get me wrong, i like Linux, but its far from being heaven (for me).
Almost all the times i have messed with linux the last thing that worked fine for me was video output hehehe. I always had to play with Xorg (resolutions refresh rates etc, researching to find the correct Hz specs etc) and i wasnt using anything fancy (ati, tv out, dual head). The generic drivers things is fine, as long as the system is not bloated-full of them (like some distros that support everything).
Anyway the thing is that generic/non generic you may have to mess up with things that you are not supposed to to make things work
(aka i had to compile a newer kernel that the latest on ubuntu distros because of buggy support of sensors on my current one, on my main OS i just click on a free program and i have the all info and control i need and has been like that for years)
Linux is nice, it still needs alot of effort from the user for things that should just work or at least not require people wrestling in a console and how-to guides.
Don't get me wrong, i like Linux, but its far from being heaven (for me).
"Παν ÎœÎÏ„Ï
Re: My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
Yes, I'd have to agree.
Mandriva (mandrake) has the config department better organised for new users than most linux derivatives, but like any neighbourhood, once you've lived there a while, you know where to find everything when you need it.
All your configuration for mouse, screen, kbd, graphics card, etc., you'll be able to reach through a terminal command (as root) and solve/get better than standard issue configurations that are thrown at you as part of an 'all-in'one' package.
Resources aren't far away if you've heard of Google.
This is one I use for monitor configs:-
http://www.monitorworld.com/
Open source distros aren't for the lazy, for that you need windows.
Here, fishy, fishy.
Mandriva (mandrake) has the config department better organised for new users than most linux derivatives, but like any neighbourhood, once you've lived there a while, you know where to find everything when you need it.
All your configuration for mouse, screen, kbd, graphics card, etc., you'll be able to reach through a terminal command (as root) and solve/get better than standard issue configurations that are thrown at you as part of an 'all-in'one' package.
Resources aren't far away if you've heard of Google.
This is one I use for monitor configs:-
http://www.monitorworld.com/
Open source distros aren't for the lazy, for that you need windows.
Here, fishy, fishy.
Riding reliably on a secondhand 1GHz Athlon for five years.
Re: My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
But thats exactly what linux needs to become more popular! Some distros for the lazy (and people that just want to have fun-do their work with minimal effort). I was amazed at the progress done there after trying the lateat ubuntu (7.10)Open source distros aren't for the lazy, for that you need windows.
It was the first time i didnt have to use the console! It just auto setup everything correctly and especially the graphics with no need of editing any configuration files. I was like FINALLY!
The thing is before 7.10 i had tried a few but mostly 7.04 which seriously took me a week to set up! Normally i wouldnt mind since i usually do it for fun, but then i needed it for my thesis! A week to a few hours is a great improvement (ofcourse i didnt repeat the mistake i had done with the older versions, that was to install on a disk thats on a Jmicron controller)
"Παν ÎœÎÏ„Ï
Re: My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
PERFECT! I have been saying this for so many years now! Linux needs to get off its high horse and move down to us idiot users! If it doesnt, Linux will eventually fail. I dont want to learn all the command line crap and go through hell jsut to try to get my laptops wireless connection working with WPA!dkarko wrote:But thats exactly what linux needs to become more popular! Some distros for the lazy (and people that just want to have fun-do their work with minimal effort).Open source distros aren't for the lazy, for that you need windows.
SIMPLE = MS SCARED
keep it the same it is = MS WINS
Mike
Remember, I am opinionated and nothing I say or do reflects on anyone or anything else but me 
Re: My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
I've tried several distros of Linux over the past few years.
And to sum it all up IMO ...
Linux has great potential.
But until the entire Linux community pulls together with a single goal in mind, and a structured chain of command, too much effort will be wasted due to everyone going their own way and doing their own thing.
It's almost like there is no organization. Dozens of different distros claiming they are the best.
And as a result, the full potential will never be realized.
Of course on the flip side of this coin, if this were to actually happen, they would then be considered "too big", and hated just as Microsoft is already.
Like it or not, the average "button pushing mouse clicker" is NOT gonna learn command line stuff.
The term "Terminal Window" doesn't even exist outside the realm of us "geeks", "nerds", or whatever label you prefer to use.
Until Linux becomes more like Windows, it ain't goin anywhere.
Or at least not to the desktop of millions of regular household users.
I reckon this is the same thing basically that dkarko and KnightRid have said.
Just make it x3.
Just my opinion.
But "What the hell do I know?"
And to sum it all up IMO ...
Linux has great potential.
But until the entire Linux community pulls together with a single goal in mind, and a structured chain of command, too much effort will be wasted due to everyone going their own way and doing their own thing.
It's almost like there is no organization. Dozens of different distros claiming they are the best.
And as a result, the full potential will never be realized.
Of course on the flip side of this coin, if this were to actually happen, they would then be considered "too big", and hated just as Microsoft is already.
Like it or not, the average "button pushing mouse clicker" is NOT gonna learn command line stuff.
The term "Terminal Window" doesn't even exist outside the realm of us "geeks", "nerds", or whatever label you prefer to use.
Until Linux becomes more like Windows, it ain't goin anywhere.
Or at least not to the desktop of millions of regular household users.
I reckon this is the same thing basically that dkarko and KnightRid have said.
Just make it x3.
Just my opinion.
But "What the hell do I know?"
Re: My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
Well, I got the email notification, followed the link and logged in, posted a massive reply, hit submit only to be told that I'd have to log in to quote.
I suppose I must have taken too long.
Next time I'll do it in an editor and copy/paste.
I suppose I must have taken too long.
Next time I'll do it in an editor and copy/paste.
Riding reliably on a secondhand 1GHz Athlon for five years.