__/ [ ragnathor@xxxxxxxxx ] on Friday 16 June 2006 07:29 \__
> So I installed Suse linux on my laptop, and was very impressed with
> how much easier linux has become to use for the beginner over the past
> few years. I tried it a few years ago, and just didn't want to spend
> the time ldealing with hardware issues and learning a new OS. However,
> installing suse 10.1 was extremely easy. I didn't read anything before
> hand, just whenever I encountered slight problems or questions (such as
> mouse, package manager, getting video codecs to work, etc) I just
> googled it and there it was on help forums or "linux for beginners"
> websites. I won't be uninstalling winXP yet because i still have
> windows applications I need to run at times, but linux will certainly
> be my primary desktop from now on.
I am delighted to hear about your experience. SuSE was the distribution that
led me to giving up on Windows altogether, everywhere.
Don't uninstall Windows XP! Use it as long as it seems like a confortable
cushion, serving you in areas where you don't yet know (or are not yet
skilled enough with) the Linux equivalents. In due time, you will find the
Windows partition to be redundant (this might take months, or years) and you
will wish to recaim its wasted disk space.
> Some things I really liked were:
>
> 1. the fact that I can use a package manager to update all my software,
> instead of upgrading all programs individually like in windows
> 2. file protections - so I don't touch anything that's not in my home
> folder unless I know what I'm doing
> 3. very customizable desktop. I'm using GNOME and love the
> customizability (shortcuts, fonts, etc)
I am glad that you like GNOME (I sometimes use it myself), but if you ever
want to become more efficient and productive (globally, in desktop terms),
then consider KDE.
> 4. installation came with nearly every piece of software I need
> 5. free
> 6. no spyware/viruses
All 6 points are inarguable.
> The only annoyances I've had so far are the difficulty and changing my
> mouse and touchpad settings (multiple buttons on my mouse), and power
> settings. I'm sure these things will only improve however, and overall
> they are very small complaints compared to the huge advantages.
You never mentioned which model you had SUSE Linux installed on. These
components, if not standardised, may require a wee bit of tweaking, at least
for the time being. Novell have devised a new method for rapid driver
development, so be patient.
Having said all of this, be aware that Windows is in no position of advantage
on that account. Manufacturers test your hardware very closely with a
particular O/S(/es). Moreover, you often get your machine with everything
set up in the factory, sometimes with a quick recovery disk. Installation of
Windows from scratch is a different, often more miserable, experience
altogether. And lastly, some vendor sell laptops with Linux pre-installed.
Think of this as your future path of purchasing, which rids you from plenty
of trouble or woe.
Best wishes,
Roy
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