Mandrake 7 and New Users
Written: Aug 16 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: stable, efficient, reliable, easier than most, FREE!
Cons: more complex and different than Windows 95/98/NT/2000
|
|
|
| eric650's Full Review: Mandrake Linux |
If you are new to Linux, I would Recommend Mandrake 7 as your distribution of choice. All in all I find it the easiest to install, which requires only a little knowledge of your computer. I have read many bad stories about installing Linux, but Mandrake takes care of most of the work. I found it comparable to installing Windows 98. Mandrake automatically detects your hardware for you. Clear instructions and information accompany each step of the Installation. One problem that seems to affect all distributions is that it is still complicated to 'partition' or separate, your hard drive if Windows is currently installed. 2 operating systems can not reside in the same partition or neither will work. Windows cannot read files on the Linux partition, but Linux can read files on a Windows partition (cannot run programs, though.)
Mandrake makes it fairly easy to install with its graphical front end. However, installing Linux is only half the battle. Actually using the operating system can prove to be quite a challenge to many computer users, even advanced ones. Linux is familiar to Windows in many ways visually with X Windows installed, but the way common things are done can be very confusing from Windows switch-overs. First, You must set up accounts and passwords just to use the operating system. This is seen as a bonus to most, but can cause serious problems if you forget your password! In addition, an often overlooked difference is that many things needed to be set up are harder to do than in windows. Installing programs is different from Windows in that they usually come in "Packages" which are installed to a pre-defined directory. No more installing to the directory of choice like in windows! Because of this programs are harder to find and run.
Setting up internet access can be a little tricky as well. you must know login information about your ISP including DNS's. AOL, compuserve, etc. will not work with Linux, only standard ISPs such as Erols, Earthlink, etc. If your modem is internal, chances are it will not work in Linux as it probably uses windows software to function. These are known as 'winmodems' and will probably never be supported by Linux. When configuring your dial-up account, know that COM1 on your computer is equivalent to ttys0, COM2 is ttsy1, and so on. Mandrake offers tools and support on their website as well as other places to help you get up and running with numerous tutorials. Setting up Linux properly takes time but is well worth the trouble.
Linux is more complex than Windows and will discourage new users at first, but once you take the time to read online tutorials, or a good book on Linux, you will be able to enjoy the increase stability, reliability, and efficiency of Windows. Best of all, it's free. Take your time and do things carefully. Linux can be a lot of fun once you know how to use it, and Mandrake is probably the easiest way to go.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
eric650
|
|
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.