Linus

[sb-1]

Should I use it instead of MS XP for business purposes?Is it compatable.
Cheers
Steve

[Plotloss]

Linux

Unless you are reading Pistonheads in socks and sandals probably not...

Whilst it is superior in many ways, Windows does get over a lot of the hurdles without user intervention.

Personally I still see Linux as the preserve of the technical department...

[barry sheene]

compatible with what ?

[sb-1]

barry sheene said:

compatible with what ?

Windows programs.

[Plotloss]

You can run a progam called Lindows on top of Linux that will run Windows applications but I have never rightly see the point.

Why the impotus to move to Linux, have you taken it on as a corporate software solution or do you just fancy a headache?

[sb-1]

Matt,

I don't know a lot about Linus just seen/heard various people spouting on about how much better than MS it is...don't think I want any more headaches thanks..I'll sick to XP!!

Steve

[TheHobbit]

alternativly, I use Linux, and run CrossOver Office from Codeweavers. Allows me to install a full and working copy of Office, so I have Outlook running under Linux, and it's no slower, in fact, if anything its just as quick as it was under windows on the same platform

[Plotloss]

Curiously its always the Linux advocates that shout about how much better than Windows it is.

See TVR v's Porsche in PH terms.

If it aint broke...

[john_p]

I wouldn't bother with Linux as a desktop (personally). Certainly not in an office with users who aren't technical.

For a server environment it's perfect, and what I use, have had no problems for many years. e.g. our two colocated servers, over 400 days uptime on each. However there are downsides too (difficult to guarantee support, can be more time consuming to set up, command line everything)

[TheHobbit]

john_p said:

I wouldn't bother with Linux as a desktop (personally). Certainly not in an office with users who aren't technical.

couldn't agree more. as good as it is for techies, its still not quite there for the no techie folk.

john_p said:

For a server environment it's perfect, and what I use, have had no problems for many years. e.g. our two colocated servers, over 400 days uptime on each. However there are downsides too (difficult to guarantee support, can be more time consuming to set up, command line everything)

I don't agree that it takes longer to set up though, as you can script the install much easier than Windoze, and you only have to install what you need, so actual media->disk time is quicker.
Ditto with "command line everything". This is simply not the case. You can get GUI front ends for lots of the main packages......

Cheers,

Karl

[john_p]

Sorry, I don't mean installing the actual o/s. I mean installing applications/services (at least with Windows its generally a one click process) as often you get library problems / interdependencies that can be very difficult to work out! Even installing simple stuff like Apache/PHP/MySQL also needs to be done in the right order or it won't work properly.

[TheHobbit]

I agree you need to know what you're up to.... but once you know both, IMHO Linux is easier/better? All IMHO though

[john_p]

Definitely, but sometimes when you're faced with a complier crashing out and saying something like;

ssh: error while loading shared libraries: ssh: undefined symbol: SSLeay

You start to despair and wish you'd paid Bill instead

[tuffer]

I know one thing:
My Orinocco Gold card worked with Redhat 9 and will not work with XP (even though XP "see's" it, installs the driver and say's it is working!!).

[Bodo]

sb-1 said:

Should I use it instead of MS XP for business purposes?Is it compatable. Cheers Steve

Depends on what applications you will be using!
I've dropped my Windows desktop some years ago for Linux.
When, I started, things weren't easy everytime, but today, many institutional users use Linux on the desktop and usability improved much since.
Installation takes a few mouse clicks, and allows Linux to coexist beside Windows on one computer (you choose which one you like to use at booting time).
What we call Linux here, is actually a 'Linux-Distribution', a compilation of many applications that make a full useable system with graphical interface, window-manager, office-, multimedia-, graphics-, network-, utility-, etc. programs.
A Linux-distribution comes on one or more CDs/DVD, and includes an automatic installation routine.
You are allowed to copy a distribution from one of your mates (there are no licence costs), or you may buy a complete set of CDs, DVD, handbook and some weeks support from a distributor like www.suse.co.uk www.redhat.co.uk etc.

There are two ways to evaluate Linux before you install it on your computer:
1.) Some of the applications that are popular on Linux systems are as well available for Windows. Check if you like them by installing them on your current desktop. A few examples:
Firefox browser
OpenOffice www.openoffice.org/
The Gimp image editing www.gimp.org/ (detailed instructions here: www.nidelven-it.no/articles/introduction_to_gimp )

2.) You get hold of a Linux demo CD; www.knoppix.org/ for example (these CDs sometimes come with computer magazines for free). You can boot Linux from a demo CD, and play around with it a bit, see if all your hardware is recognized, etc., but nothing from Linux will be left when you shut down your computer and remove the CD. It won't do anything harmful to your current Windows installation.

Typical applications available for Linux are the popular and most used Office/Home programs (the ones mentioned, and others like financial software with HBCI online banking interface, ...) or professional developing and network tools, or high-end applications that were originally developed for Unix systems, like Alias Maya www.alias.com or Pro/Engineer www.ptc.com . The choice of the latest 3D-games for Linux is bad though.

Compatibility with common file formats is good: you can read and write MS Office files, PDF, and lots more out of the box.

>> Edited by Bodo on Monday 16th February 18:58

[TheHobbit]

john_p said:

ssh: error while loading shared libraries: ssh: undefined symbol: SSLeay

Check the shared libraries directory where SSLeay.so* lives is listed in /etc/ld.so.conf and then run 'ldconfig' as root -- should sort it out