Gary M. Stewart wrote:
Homer wrote:
"I don't get the windows users I know. They all keep using
XP and saying that they're going to "skip Vista" and use the
next version of Windows. I'm not sure what they think it's
going to be that Vista isn't. I also don't get the Linux
naysayers. As soon as you install Linux and start using it,
they instantly define you as a "geek" and not an "average
user"; ergo, Linux is only for geeks and weirdos because you
are a geek and weirdo if you run it. I guess the number of
geeks and weirdos in the world is on the rise, then."
posted by : Alan, 15 September 2008
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/879/1017879/vists-woes-linux
So?
The one thing you Linux lusers fail to comprehend is that it's
just an OS. It's the APPLICATIONS that count.
Windows has the ones people want, pda,
http://www.linux.org/hardware/pda.html
[quote]
For people who are interested in installing Linux on PDAs or
buying a PDA with Linux pre-installed, here are a few pages that
might help you find what you're looking for.
Information about installing Linux on PDAs/Palmtops
* Linux Palmtop Page - A guide to installing Linux on
hand-held devices
* handhelds.org - website dedicated to information and
promotion of open source technology for hand-held devices.
* LinuxDevices.com - definitive guide to PDAs that either
come with embedded Linux or PDAs whose developers are actively
involved in porting Linux to their devices.
Linux powered PDAs
* Sharp page dedicated to the Zaurus and aimed at developers
* Low-cost Amida Simputer
Produced in India and aims at providing affordable
computing power.
Other Popular Portable Devices
* Nokia 770
Portable wireless tablet with an embedded Linux operating
system
[/quote]
gps,
http://www.fsckin.com/2008/04/06/review-four-linux-gps-packages/
[quote]
Installing software:
I’m testing four different GPS software suites for Linux: GPS
Drive, Roadnav, Navit and VIking. GPS Drive and Viking are right
in the Ubuntu repository. Roadnav has a debian package available
on their website that worked quite well. Last but not least
there’s Navit, which requires installing from source. I’m
assuming that the person reading this wants to test out all four
software suites. They each have their own strengths and
weaknesses, and it’s best to test out each platform before
settling on a choice. [...]
I tested out GPS Drive first - it’s right in the Ubuntu
repositories. GPS Drive works fine right out of the box. The maps
it uses are fairly good, but could be higher resolution. [...]
Otherwise, it’s a nice basic application that has a cool
indicator in the status bar for how many GPS signals it’s caught
onto.
Next, I downloaded Roadnav’s debian installer for Ubuntu Gutsy
Gibbon 7.10 from their website and installed it, had no problems
running in 8.04. Roadnav has a really slick looking 3D view. It’s
got a pleasing interface, and is suitable for a lower resolution
screen. [...]
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s a brilliant piece of
software aptly named Viking. [...]
Viking - the software - is fantastic. It’s the only program
tested today that will download Google Map tiles automagically to
render a map. This solves the problem of having bad maps. You can
even go as far as downloading maps and saving them to your hard
drive.
[/quote]
taxes,
http://www.linux.com/feature/130716
[quote]
Filing US federal taxes under Linux
By Joe Barr on March 27, 2008 (3:00:00 PM)
Filling out tax returns has traditionally been an area where
Linux comes up short compared to the proprietary platforms, but
you actually have several options for using commercial income tax
products on a Linux platform. Here's a quick look at three
commercial tax offerings I found that work just fine using Ubuntu
7.10 and Firefox 2.0.0.12, even though two of the three vendors
warn Linux users they are not supported. Translation: Don't look
for vendor help if you run into problems. [...]
H&R Block's Tango
The first thing I saw when I tried to use H&R Block's Tango was a
warning that it might not work correctly because Linux was not a
supported platform. Life is risky, Tango advised, but it allowed
me to continue. I chose the "Start Free" option, which allows you
to enter your tax data and go all the way through the process up
to the point of filing without having to pay.
Tango's interface is picturesque and smooth. If you choose your
software tools based on eye appeal, read no further -- this is
the one for you. You'll never see a 1040A or any other tax form
as you go through Tango's guided online interview. Enter the
required information when you're prompted for it, then sit back
and let the software do the rest. [...]
TurboTax Deluxe
In spite of the fact that I used TurboTax on Ubuntu Linux with
Firefox last year, you wouldn't know that it could be done based
on the company's warning screen. There are a number of supported
versions of Windows, and others for Apple, but none for Linux. As
Tango did, TurboTax lets you continue if you are using a
non-supported platform, but warns, "If you continue without
upgrading, we may not be able to assist you with any issues you
might encounter." Note the quaint but unenlightened usage of the
word "upgrade."
I tested TurboTax Deluxe, which fit the test case very well. [...]
TaxAct
For the third product I chose the free version of 2nd Story
Software's TaxAct because, unlike the competition's free
offerings, this one can not only handle the test case, it allows
you to print or e-file your return at no additional charge.
Naturally, this free version doesn't come with all the bells,
whistles, and assistance of a "deluxe" package, so you'll need to
know a bit more about filing your taxes if you choose it instead
of a more comprehensive tool.
I went through the test case twice with TaxAct, once using the
online version and once using a downloaded Windows executable
that I installed and ran under Wine. I couldn't detect any
difference between the two. If you prefer working offline,
untethered from the Internet, the downloaded version is the
option for you. The free version also includes a review of the
completed forms at the end, to catch any errors it can before you
print and mail or file the return electronically.
TaxAct also comes in a $10 Deluxe and a $17 Ultimate edition,
with state forms available for each at extra cost.
[/quote]
music
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/10/amarok2_released/
[quote]
Native-Linux music player Amarok gets major overhaul
iTunes minus the store - and the fanbois
By Austin Modine
Posted in Music and Media, 10th December 2008 21:37 GMT
Linux-native music player Amarok 2.0 was released today, sporting
some big changes to the open-source iTunes alternative.
Amarok 2's user interface is a major overhaul of the Amarok 1.4x
GUI, both aesthetically and functionally. It's also moved from
the KDE 3 to KDE 4 framework to hook into the desktop
environment's latest toys like Solid, Phonon, and Plasma.
"KDE4 brings many new technologies and design patterns, and we
decided to use this opportunity to improve upon Amarok's original
design," the Amarok team said today in the release announcement.
The face-lift focuses on making contextual information like song
lyrics and albums from the same artist more accessible, according
to Amarok. It also includes integration with online music
services like Jamendo, Magnatune, and Ampache.
[/quote]
etc. Linux does NOT. This is why Linux loses.
Poor flatty, a decade out of date and still a slumber.
BTW as for why not to move to Vista if you already have
XP...See above...
--
HPT
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