NOTE: I'll reply to this thread as I learn more...
I install LINUX for a test drive, by a newbie (me).
Okay, there is a lot of talk about LINUX (mainly REDhat), so I had to try it. I have used computers when the only operating system accessible was DOS. Ever since then , I have become MS-WINDOWS dependant. This is my review, I'll (try to) make this short so here it is...
- I used a "test hard drive". Don't want to screw up my existing hard drive and settings, just to try LINUX.
- I got the 3, original LINUX REDhat 9.0 disks.
- Booted my PC with it and began to install. Everything was smooth, except a few questions that I had no idea what was being asked. I just clicked "NEXT".
- Nicely colored graphics during entire setup. I was aked a few questions about using existing partitions, creating and deleting. I went with the CLEAN INSTALL. I let REDhat remove all partitions and create a new one.
-So far, so good.
- It asked me to create a Password. I tried to skip that, but it wouldn't let me continue. I hate passwords on an OS. I just want to turn the computer on, and use it. So I entered a passwword.
-I was surprised, my integrated Gigabyte Motherboard sound card was recognized!
- Wheel mouse, GeForce4 card, monitor, and ethernet card was all detected!
- Somewhere along the line, it asked for to create Username and a Password. I skipped that (for the time being). No problem there.
- Setup started to remind me of Windows98 setup.
- I was asked to create a STARTUP disk, for emergencies. I skipped that. I just wanted to try LINUX. I can always make one of those disks later. Quit wasting my preciuos time.
- Okay, setup completed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Computer reboots and there you have it! That stupid USERNAME and PASSWORD, that I was forced to make during install, except I didn't create a Username. I had no idea what it was. It turns out to be "root', then I entered my password.
- Now, everything almost looks like Windows98! But wierd and different. Sort of like... XP? I dunno, but it was all new to me.
- I am so accustomed to Windows, I was a total clutz trying to figure anything out. I couldn't find drives. Where was drive "C" as in "C:\linux\...." ???? There isn't anything like that. It is all ROOT and sub directories. Like DOS.
- I installed my printer, using a list of generic Lexmark drivers provided in LINUX. My printer worked, but LAME. Lacking features such as ink level, head cleaning, and calibration. Prints well for black text. I was impressed that the "Test Page" printed in rich full color graphics.
- My TV capture card is currently useless.
- My 56k Call-Waiting modem is not detected.
- Hey, there is a CDROM burning program in LINUX REDhat 9.0! I have to try that soon.
I couldn't get ANY multimedia files to work. I tried mp3's, WAV, AVI, MOV, etc... LINUX knew what they were, but said I couldn't run them. Although, I could hear music when I tested the sound card. Maybe I need to create that Username and Password. Log onto LINUX that way, instead of the current Administrator mode.
-This entire operating system appears to be very fast compared to Windows XP. Maybe that is because I haven't junked it up yet. I opened a giant sized 38mb BMP image file (a city map), and I could zoom, move and navigated the entire picture with no problem. Very nice, with anti-aliasing.
- And, I easily got my ethernet card configured to connect to my DSL! That Mozilla browser is very quick to use. I browsed the internet in a snap.
So, there you have it, for today. I got a lot more of LINUX exploring to do. See you in a few days with more of my NEWBIE review.
