The Linux Thread

[yurimxpxman]

This thread isn't necessarily a how-to. Lead Head posted his Linux guide for that.

Instead, we are discussing different aspects of Linux. This thread originated in this one. For convience sake, I have quoted that thread below.

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

I'm switching to Linux ;-)

Originally Posted by jokerswild

I've tried various Linux distros but until they come up with a better way to install programs and are able to play games then it's not going to be mainstream which seems to be what most linux users want anyway.

I agree that many of Linux' functions need to be put into a graphical environment, but I don't think that yum and sudo are very difficult to use. The vast majority of the programs I need are provided by them.

But Linux does need a more user-friendly installation method than "make install" for downloaded apps. One of the beauties of Windows is that a simple EXE can run the installation in its own graphical wizard.

I've been looking for some good Gnome themes, but the only good one I've found is the combination of Clearlooks and ClearlooksWithACherryOnTop.

One of the things I love about Gnome is the transparent taskbar. It's great because it only needs to render the image once, so it doesn't eat resources like Vista does. And I don't like having the windows' title bar transparent anyway, because it can make things confusing.

[Jokerswild]

I like the looks of linux but it's too difficult for most people that are use to windows and the gaming part kills it for a lot of enthusiasts.

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by jokerswild

I like the looks of linux but it's too difficult for most people that are use to windows and the gaming part kills it for a lot of enthusiasts.

Except the occasional game of CS:S with the rest of the HL staff, I really coudln't care less about gaming, personally. And I like the look too - of Clearlooks, that is. But I can't find any other decent Gnome themes.

Joker, do you like Gnome, KDE, or Enlightenment best? And whatever happened to Enlightenment? They don't seem to be able to finish any of their projects :lol:

[Jokerswild]

I've only used Gnome and KDE. I like them both to a point. The looks don't matter as much as function but I think Gnome does look better. I haven't had much problems installing and using linux other than having to add video players and other programs. When linux makes that easy it will be on my computers other than the gaming one. I would like nothing better than a free OS that I could game on and I would think it would be in the interest of game developers to have it that way since that would free up money for gamers to spend more on games. What a blow to Microsoft that would be. :D

[Lead Head]

Alot of people prefer FluBox over gnome or KDE, but Gnome by far is the most popular by far, KDE used to be good, but now its slow and bloated, altough the next version of KDE should be good. I find that SuSE and Ubuntu have the easiest way to install things.

[yurimxpxman]

Lead Head, have you ever used Fedora Core? In Gnome, you just have to go to Applications >> Add/Remove Software and it has a nice graphical wizard for adding software from the internet. My only complaint about it is that it's too hard to find the package you're looking for if you're not a ****. Of course, if you're not a ****, you'd probably be installing the software manually anyway :P

[Lead Head]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

Lead Head, have you ever used Fedora Core? In Gnome, you just have to go to Applications >> Add/Remove Software and it has a nice graphical wizard for adding software from the internet. My only complaint about it is that it's too hard to find the package you're looking for if you're not a ****. Of course, if you're not a ****, you'd probably be installing the software manually anyway :P

Yes I have used Fedora, but SuSE has a nice GUI installer for anything, shell scripts, rpms, etc.., you just click it, YAST loads up and tells you what you may need to run the program, or if there are any problems with it and currently installed stuff, and if everything has agreen light, you can hit install

[Hitman]

I like Suse. Works pretty good on a Windows Network too.

[yurimxpxman]

I can never get RPMs to work right. They always seem to need some thing else to install anything. That's why I like yum. It downloads everything automatically.

[Hitman]

Mandriva (Mandrake) is also real good for Noobs. I use it sometimes, what I like about it is that you can switch between KDE and GNOME on the fly. When it comes to Linux I suggest trying as many distros as you can. Its a learning experience. You will also find that some distros may work better with your hardware. You can always install drivers, but sometimes that can be very time consuming.