[SATLUG] Video Drivers

[John Pappas]

On 7/5/07, Geoff <geoff at w5omr.shacknet.nu> wrote:
>
> Not that anyone asked, but here's -My- opinion.
>
> If you want a gui'ed desktop system, with all the latest fancy bells,
> whistles whizz-bang doo-dads and so forth... Go with Microsoft.
>
> The trade off is, Linux has -much- tighter security, in that the layers
> around the ip socket inherently make Linux one of the most secure OS's
> available on the open market.  M$ is coming around, but it's taking a
> long time.


That is spot on.  For widely accessible infrastructure services
(DNS/DHCP/Firewalls/VPN/etc) there are few better platforms.  The apps
become the issue, rather than the base OS.

On the other hand, their desktop display management is second to none.
> I suppose it's whatever you get used to, but I've got a gui'd linux
> system running Knoppix (installed)... I guess it's just me, but I've
> never been a fan of the linux desktop.  In general, the fonts are too
> small to read.  By the time you've got 'em big enough to see, you've
> distorted them so that the text is out of it's container and not all
> visible.


Agree, Since the Windows platform evolved from a desktop platform (rather
than a server) in the first place, the functionality required in that space
(Display, Sound, Device Driver, etc) has a foot up on Linux.  The *NIXs,
having evolved from the server space in the first place, have the advantage
on the server side.

I've got two monitors on my desk top, two keyboards, and two mice, and
> three machines. (one being the server, which runs SuSE Linux (for now -
> it'll probably get changed to a debian based product in the future) so
> this is a side-by-side comparison.  the Windows gui has it all over the
> Linux gui, in -my- opinion.


I like the flexibility of Display Managers (Xfce, KDE, Gnome) all provide
different strengths that address different user preferences, that is
freedom.

The other benefit is the accessibility of support software for desktop
users, there are so many apps that are superb for their targeted functions.
I run all Linux, all the time and would not and could not trade for anything
else.  Most of the issues I have are just from the "polish" perspective;
edges are just rougher from a desktop usability perspective, and mobile
desktop support at that.

Do I trust M$?  Certainly not!  It is, after all, behind a -linux-
> firewall ;-)


I second that. In my case, I can add that all of those are supported by
Linux servers.

However, sound works better without having to futz with much, Video
> cards have better support, there's more general hardware support for
> Windows than Linux (although that's changing and I welcome it!), it's
> just that to me, I can get along with a M$ gui -much- better than gnome,
> kde, flux, or any other linux wm.


Exactly.

I think the -hard-core- Linux users beat their chest and drum so loudly
> about Linux, is not because Linux is superior (in some ways, yes - in
> others, no) but rather because there's a hatred for M$, what it stands
> for, how it was started, blah-blah-blah.


Hell Yeah.  I am a penguinista, but one that does not have the knowledge to
win the small battles that win wars (as addressed throughout this thread)

The Bottom line is, what works for you?  For me, my printer, scanner,
> video and sound card work in XP, natively.  The OS found those
> peripherals when it was loading.  Linux still doesn't support my
> printer, my sound card needs to be manipulated and massaged evertime the
> linux gui is booted, and the network card had problems, but that's now
> corrected.


For straight user-station desktop PC form factor, Linux is closer than
Laptops.  I will admit that even over the life of my trusty Thinkpad, things
have gotten much better.  It still boils down to hardware support: Linux
BIOS access and upgrade capability, native (not reverse-engineered) device
drivers and platform support, video, and X flexibility.  I have not tried
the alternative X  setups (Xi or such) that may be better, so take that with
a grain of salt.

Is Linux ready for the desktop?
>
> I think my answer is "It depends on how badly the user hates Microsoft".


I have the proper amount of dislike, but lack the proper amount of "martial"
skill.  That is why I lean on this list for help honing my skills.

John