The future in Linux???

[cypunk06]

Linux is a "free" OS, and companys are releasing it as a commercial OS. my question of the day is, are we going to see commercial games become linux compatable????
Also, what about being offered in factory PC's??
any thoughts?

Mike

[ille_pugil42]

check out loki games (http://www.lokigames.com) they've released Quake III, Sim City 3000, Heretic II, Heros III, Myth II, Civilization Call to Power, et cetera...

[slacker_x]

Right now if you buy a commercial computer and it comes with windows me, you get the computer and tweak a few things and your slowly on your way.

If a computer came preinstalled with linux, which distro would it be? what would the settings be like?

If I bought a computer that had linux preinstalled, I would reinstall anyway. Get it done the way I want it.

[ille_pugil42]

you can buy computers with linux preinstalled. Check out tuxtops (http://www.tuxtops.com/) or even Dell (redhat).

Of course, I'd reinstall my own too, but it's neat that it is possible.

[bdl]

Originally posted by cypunk06:
<STRONG>Linux is a "free" OS, and companys are releasing it as a commercial OS.</STRONG>

I strongly suggest you read over the GPL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl-faq.html) and find out what GNU (http://www.gnu.org/) is all about.

[Stween]

The way iv seen it for a while is that what is holding linux back is the difficulty that normal users find in setting it up and configuring it (mind u they have that trouble in windows too...).

If linux came preinstalled on PC's, with a kernel specific to that system, various useful apps, a desktop environment (KDE, for example), and an Office suite, they would have no more problems using it that if they were using windows (im sure i read someone saying here that ppl percieve linux as 'difficult' because we make it that way - why not make it easy for 'average' users??)

But until that day when the shop on the high street offers this, linux will never really beat windows in terms of numbers of users...


Stween

[cypunk06]

But with MS dominating &lt;spelled right?&gt; the OS market, will there be a time when linux become a "user friendly" OS youthink? I personally like it, simply because you have to use your brain, not point and click...lol
Linux is really giving MS a run for their money, The diehard computer nuts are leaving MS NT for linux, while the avg. Joe becomes a Point & click clone, and while he might learn some things about computing he's not opening his mind to the realm of true computing. Thats why I wonder if linux will become the prefered OS instead of NT....OR will Linux become a point and click OS for the avg. Joe to make it compete with WIN.?
I myself am a point and click clone, But love to learn, thats why i have become a install "king" 'cuz I try things, screw up linux and have to reinstall..lol &lt;but I AM learning more each time&gt; :)
right now the ONLY reason windows is in my sys is the games.....thats why I wonder if linux will ever become a PNP type OS and the gameing marketwill release games for both Win. and linux. I know SOME games are doing that now, but what about ALL games. I would LOVE to see the day when Linux is a common household name like windows.
I know you diehard linux guys are scared of that, and don't want your OS to become a bandwagon OS, but......I personally would love to have another choice other than MS, thats both PNP &lt;user friendly&gt; AND a stable/secure OS.

OK......you may slam me now :)

[GovernerofTibet]

I agree completely with cypunk.

I was a fairly knowledgable windows/dos user (and when I say that, I mean more than just point and click- had to replace a bunch of system files way too often since WIN was so unstable; which is half the reason I installed mandrake a few days ago)

NOTE:I'm using KDE for my desktop w/mandrake 8.0

I don't see why there is any opposition to making Mandrake more user friendly. Don't we want more users? Don't we want to threaten MS's market share a little? People often say that Linux is the OS for techies, and that we shouldn't bother with making it userfriendly; but how else are we going to compete with windows?

I think that Linux has the ability to compete with BOTH NT and basic windows at the same time (and need I remind you that NT and basic windows are merging in WINDOWS XP)

The number one thing (really the ONLY thing) that I've run into so far with mandrake that isn't user friendly, is the installation of a lot of software. While it didn't bother me too much (though I did have to guess on some of the console commands before getting them right) since I was somewhat comfortable with dos, a completely new computer user would probably explode if they had to go into the terminal, and type in all of these jargon commands to unpack and install a file.

For instance, one of the first things I did was install AIM (aol instant messanger). And I was kind of suprised not to be able to just double click on the downloaded archive .sh file and install it. And worse, most of the readmes for programs I've downloaded to install are realy vague about what your supposed to do. "Unpack, run, your up". I spent at least 30 minutes sitting at the console saying "How do I unpack it? How do I run it? Why isn't there an automated wizard for this?" :rolleyes:

I know I sound like a MS zombie for having thought that, but its true. Personally it didn't bother me too much to have had to go to the terminal. But for the average user, that is FAR from user-friendly, and how are we going to win over the average joes from Windows if they have to go to the terminal and stare blankly for a few days before figuring out how to even umpack something?

Somebody throw me an install wizard- and throw it to the developers too! ;) Mandrake's RPM wizard is great, but my 2 CD downloaded version of Mandrake doesn't include every linux app I'll ever need.

&gt;&gt;Note: the prior ramblings came from the mind of a relative newbie. Try not to be too hard on him. :)

[ille_pugil42]

that's basicly our stumbling block - besides the corporate types and then distro specific packages (.tgz for slack, rpm for rhat/mdk, .deb for debain) we don't have a user friendly point-and-click installer... that's been a constant complaint.

[dvdnut]

personally distros which dont come all on cd have a problem for people like me, as i only have a dialup connection, slow as well, and i have no dedicated line.

i personally welcome redhat and mandrake as these are the ones i learnt on, as well as extensive use of LNO.

if i do get adsl and/or a cablemodem then fine, debian will be tried, but unless you are a true tech who knows intricate details about your system, then you're buggered with systems such as debian who require component specific answers before setting up, such as the graphics card, network card, monitor et al.

im stuck at the moment trying to get UT to work in linux, but thats the good thing about it, the community help that linux has, ive yet to find one for windows.

[dvdnut]

personally distros which dont come all on cd have a problem for people like me, as i only have a dialup connection, slow as well, and i have no dedicated line.

i personally welcome redhat and mandrake as these are the ones i learnt on, as well as extensive use of LNO.

if i do get adsl and/or a cablemodem then fine, debian will be tried, but unless you are a true tech who knows intricate details about your system, then you're buggered with systems such as debian who require component specific answers before setting up, such as the graphics card, network card, monitor et al.

im stuck at the moment trying to get UT to work in linux, but thats the good thing about it, the community help that linux has, ive yet to find one for windows.

[j.harrison]

If Linux ever does become a popular OEM OS, it'll be a Mandrake type flavor, where point and click users are up and running easily. I can see that happening in the near future, as M$ continues its 'war on private wealth' by bleeding its customers dry...

However, for those who just love computers (and you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't), a preinstalled Linux OS would never do. Installing and tweaking is most of the fun. Changing distros is the spice of life, and that's where M$ is such a loser.

There's just one current Windows OS. Want some new M$ program to play with? Hope your Visa's got alot of space on it. Like to configure your Windows box, just for the joy of it? Good luck. If you like to mess with PCs, Windows is a drag.

Windows is the OS for people who use computers because they have to, not because they want to...