On Saturday 25 December 2004 06:40 pm, Ed Sutherland wrote: > Let me hasten to say this is not, as the subject line might seem to > imply, a Linux-bashing question.
Nah, not taken as bashing in any way. It's an honest question if you don't know anything about it. > I'm considering moving from Windows XP to some form of Linux, most > likely debian. I'd like to know beforehand, what functionality I'll lose > when moving from Windows to debian. For instance, point-and-click > ease-of-use in installing applications. Ease of use in installing? You mean like this? Find and download $PROGRAM to install Damn, it's in "compressed" format Go find $DECOMPRESSOR and download Scan $DECOMPRESSOR for viruses Install $DECOMPRESSOR Crap, I'm not admin Log in as admin Install $DECOMPRESSOR Reboot Log in Scan $PROGRAM for viruses Decompress $PROGRAM Doubleclick exe/msi installer Crap, I'm not admin Log in as admin Doubleclick exe/msi installer Click "Next" to continue Accept 27 page EULA Click "Next" to continue Confirm "install type", full/minimal/custom Click "Next" to continue Confirm/alter install path Click "Next" to continue Do you want a program group created? y/n Click "Next" to continue Do you want a desktop icon created? y/n Click "Next" to continue Watch progress bar... Click "Next" to continue Do you want to read the README.txt now? y/n Click "Next" to continue Do you want to create a desktop shortcut? y/n Click "Next" to continue Do you want to run the internet updater? y/n If Y, click "Next" to continue to repeat previous instructions, if N, then click "Next" to continue $PROGRAM has been installed to $PATHBLAHBLAH, please register, would you like to do so now? y/n Click "Next" to continue Installation complete, Click "Exit" to finish You must reboot for changes to take effect, do you want to reboot now? Reboot/Cancel Reboot Log in Click on desktop icon that was created even though 'No' was answered for that question Use $PROGRAM I'll take: Click on the menu/Synaptic Enter root pass Find $PROGRAM Install $PROGRAM Close Synaptic Click on menu/$PROGRAM Use $PROGRAM any day. > Another example: multimedia, > such as playing MP3 audio files or There are plenty of multemedia players availabe, some you might already be familiar with in terms of usability. > downloading pictures from my digital > camera. I'm not a photographer myself, so I can't comment on that. > I like the 'back-end' stability that Linux has, but question whether > that stability will be negated by a more difficult user interface, See for yourself before you install. Download a Knoppix CD and boot your machine with it. Have a look around, see what's what. You can do that before you install anything to your hard drive. > or > lack thereof. Windows users poo-poo Linux while fans of Linux complain > Windows is straight from h*ll -- isn't there a middle-ground truth? Thanks. I suppose that depends on your POV. I haven't used MS Windows regularly in years, and I avoid it if at all possible. Me? I just prefer having control over my own machine that I paid my own money for, rather than letting some corporate marketing bozo a world away have control over it. -- ...Rob Return address is obfuscated. You can reach me via mylaptop (at) twcny dot rr dot com -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
