I've gave Linux about tone chance so far and it let me down. Don't misunderstand me. I don't want to flame Linux. In fact I think it is the best solution, if you know what you're doing.
I consider myself an advanced PC user, I grew up with DOS, I build my own PC's and have no problem maintaining it, but Linux was too much. The version I gave a chance was Red Hat 9. I got it because I was so annoyed by the constant security risks under XP that I decided to switch.
The installation process itself went pretty smooth. You're guided through a neat graphical interface, that provides you with all the information you need. I thought to myself: "Hey, this is pretty convenient to use. It might be the best alternative afte all"
After everythin has been installed, I've booted my machine for the first time. It took a little longer than XP, but that might have been caused by missing optimization on my side.
What really turned me away was the fussiness of the software. My first task was to install Firefox on my machine. Pretty easy you say, well not exactly. You can download little packages for the OS. They basicly work like .exe files. Just clink on it and you should be ready.
I downloaded the file, klicked on it and....nothing happened. I don't know why, and I've never found out, because I've somehow managed to install it manually.
I saved the files in the right folder (This is very important as far as I understood it). The file to start was there, I could click it and it started. Fine then you say ?, no ! not at all.
I wanted FF to be accessible through the task bar, where all the Internet stuff is located, but Red Hat didn't liked the idea. I simply couldn't find a way to do it, and to this day I don't know you create folders there. You dont get a hint anywhere how to do it. Every time I wanted to start FF I had to navigate through the folders.
While this sounds not so bad and might have been resolved by some research on my side, it is the following problem that made me switch back to XP. I have a D-Link network card, which is pretty common around here.The problem was that Red Hat wasn't able to recognize it. Therefor I couldn't access the Internet. I've read in a forum that you have to download alternative drivers and integrate them into the system. I gave it a try and I failed miserably.
To sum it up, here's what I've learned:
Don't expect it to be a walk in the Park. You need to familiarize yourself with Linux.
Problems will arise, you will be faced with programs/methods you've never seen before.
You will realize that it is Open source. No focus groups worked on it to make it convenient for the average user.
I've left with an insight into the way my father must see PC's. I felt incapable and unable to execute the things I've wanted my machine to do.
) and almost any program is available as RPM -> easy to install. But basicly all linuxes are compatible, and most programs are open source, so if you have no problem constantly reading manuals, you will be fine.
