Linux

[Garry Driffill]

Dads thinking of getting a little web browser lap top and it comes with Linux..

What are everyones general thoughts on it?

Compatability with curtain things, Like flash and what not..

[jimmy]

Whats that, an eeepc? it'll be fine for general web stuff. I think some stuff like video stuff might need windows, like the itv playback service.

We had one, we sold it and got a windows eeePC so we could use the same software we already use like dreamweaver / photoshop / illustrator. It's not super powerful but it's good enough for basic stuff.

[Southwell]

Nothing wrong with it for the basic functions, web browsing, email etc. I wouldn't have one if he likes the functionality of a windows based pc, linux is not user friendly imo, although i use it on my test laptop at work.
I would get the Dell mini 9 if i were to buy one.

[Answer-RC-Pete]

Running a Linux (Ubuntu) instal on an old lappy to try it before getting one of the Acer Aspire Ones (though the new Dell Mini looks cool or the forthcoming LG with built in 3G)

Pretty happy with it so far for the likes of office equivalents - no problems at all. Not done a great deal of online stuff with it though. BBC Iplayer works though the Firefox browser though I think you will have trouble with Channel4..

[Chris Doughty]

Linux is absolutely dialled, however, don't buy it thinking it will be a fully functional 'PC' that you can install random apps or games on.

as said before, its fine for the function that it is marketed as, but anything more, maybe not.

[Garry Driffill]

I had a play around with Linux a good while back and didnt see it as very user freindly to me. The Laptop its coming with is only from Morisions dead cheap just short of £200 my dad told me.

He will probs post up the specs of what its like when he comes online. Its only really gonna be used for browsing (Keeping an eye on oOple of course LOL) plus things like Messanger programs, Not sure on MSN being compatable though?

[rcracer]

This is it in comet but £100 more than morrisons http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/pro...ification#spec

[Southwell]

Originally Posted by Garry Driffill

I had a play around with Linux a good while back and didnt see it as very user freindly to me. The Laptop its coming with is only from Morisions dead cheap just short of £200 my dad told me.

He will probs post up the specs of what its like when he comes online. Its only really gonna be used for browsing (Keeping an eye on oOple of course LOL) plus things like Messanger programs, Not sure on MSN being compatable though?

Nope, its not. There is a program called Pigeon on it which does loads of IM programmes, but i don't like it.

[glypo]

People have to understand there is no such thing as just "Linux" in terms of an OS. Asking for opinions on Linux is impossible, as Linux is just a kernel, just one component of the whole system, albeit an important component.

There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of Linux based OS's. Some of them are pants, some are designed to run webservers (Debian, RHEL etc), some are great in supercomputers (RedHat, CentOS etc) others like those bundled by default on the EEE (Xandros) are very lightweight and very basic and then you get stuff that makes awesome Windows/Mac beating PC's (Fedora etc).

Even for the desktop front, most Desktop Linux based distros come with the options of running stuff like Gnome, KDE, XFCE etc - so when you say you had a play on Linux and found it not very user friendly - it isn't really an argument. This is as user interface is purely down to the desktop software installed, and how it is set up.

There are plenty of IM clients available for various distros. Pidgin is a common one, and it's awesome. Nice user interface and tabbed chatting. Makes like much easier

[rcracer]

To be honest for another £50 i can get one with XP on it so i reckon that will be the way to go, its like Garry first posted its just for web browsing, msn and pulling a few pics of the web i fancy one of the netbooks for the portable factor i have my pc upstairs for my editing and more complex tasks.
Thanks for the help anyway guys..

[purpletimbo]

I have a eeepc 701 with linux, which is Xandros, a specifically written one for it.
It has some great extras thrown in, and we just got new AMSN messenger but it still doesn't support its own webcam which is a pain as it is a great quality cam.
One major annoyance, is the upload function to photobucket doesn't work.
I saw them floating for £159 as a back to school offer on a site the other day, but my PC engineer bought an XP one and that is flawless, plus we both got leather cases and car adapters, and he got a £20 battery that gives him a full 7 hours work time