The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Which Linux? Major Keary |
Most Linux distributions (distros) are based on a quite small number of what might be called "significant distributions", such as Red Hat, Mandrake, Debian, and SuSE. Mandrake was originally based on Red Hat, but has since developed into a distro in its own right. Red Hat has passed its desktop distribution to the open source Fedora Core Project. Of the 350+ distros that are currently in circulation many are highly specialised for particular applications, such as embedded operating systems. For ordinary users, especially those migrating from Microsoft Windows, the most important factor is ease of use. The development of graphical user interfaces for Linux has been probably the most important contribution to widening acceptance, but that still left two significant factors that inhibited ease of use: package management and too many choices.
Package Management
There is a common perception that software is difficult to install on Linux systems; it is not really difficult, but the process of compiling source code is unfamiliar territory for most computer users. To overcome the problem various "package management" systems have been developed. Red Hat was the pioneer and its RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) is widely used. Debian also has its package management system, and others have followed. It is that technology - under whatever name - that has helped to make Linux so much easier to use.
Commercial distros have to get package management right; apart from reputation, there is an implied warranty regardless of what a vendor's small print might say. Free distros can leave end-users to work it out for themselves, although the main ones have good newsgroup or forum support.
Two commercial distros, Linspire and Xandros, have excellent package management systems. Xandros is Debian- based, but offers both Debian and RPM package management. Obtaining and installing new applications from designated Web sites is an uncomplicated, follow-the-prompts, operation. By designated I mean either the vendor's Web site or a site (or sites) to which links are provided.
Too Many Choices
For any given task or operation Microsoft Windows offers just one operating system and a somewhat sparse collection of tools. A user can change the appearance of the GUI: big icons, little icons, hide some files, have a verbose display of file and directory information, make the desktop look like a Web page, and so on. There is, however, just one kernel for Windows and it is locked away from the user.
The Linux kernel is open source and the source code is available in all distros. It can be modified for specialist applications or just to suit individual needs, but general users don't need be concerned about the source code, or even the many development tools that come with Linux.
Linux distros may offer at least two desktop environments (KDE and GNOME). New users may be confused, especially when deciding which one to install. There is not room here to explain the implications, but if a distro offers a default, accept it.
Xandros, for example, installs KDE by default, but provides GNOME on the application disk for those who want to use it. That is a sensible path because it enables the vendor to tune, so to speak, its applications to the KDE environment.
There is also a plethora of applications that come as part of Linux distros. Many of them will seem pretty exotic to new users, but each has a specific purpose. The problem is to recognise what does what. When confronted by such a warehouse you should remember that you would be paying big money for separate applications to run under Windows; with Linux they all come as part of the distribution.
DistroWatch
The DistroWatch Web site - local access is at http://www.distrowatch.hostcentral.net.au - is well worth visiting for its assessments and reviews of distros. At the time of writing it mentions two as being the easiest to use: Linspire and Xandros.
Linspire
Linspire began its life as Lindows, but the name was changed following relentless litigation by Microsoft. Even though American courts had refused any injunction, Sir Bill's lawyers obtained injunctions in Europe against Michael Robertson's Lindows operation. The object of the Linspire model has been to provide an easy-to-install distro with ease of access to software. In those respects it has succeeded, but it effectively operates as a subscription service that enables users to download programs that are "self installing". It's all done with a smooth automated package management system. Much of the software is available free (it's all part of the subscription), but commercial software is also available, usually at discounted prices, from the Linspire "warehouse". Visit http://www.linspire.com for further details.
Xandros
Xandros, on the other hand, is a straight buy-once commercial product which, instead of putting everything onto a collection of CDs or a DVD, limits the distribution to two CDs. The rest of the available software can be obtained from designated Web sites; a smooth download-and-install feature makes it very easy to use. Xandros classifies its software (under groupings such as editors, graphics, and development) to make searching and installation easier.
Windows on Linux
There are many Windows-based applications that can be run on Linux systems. Commercial products usually have utilities that are superior to those that come with free distros, but they are either built on WINE (does not require Windows OS to be present), use Win4Lin (commercial product that requires Windows OS to be present), or use VMware another commercial product). Some free distros come with WINE, but it may be necessary to download the source code and compile it.
A Web search on "WINE" should find a site where a list of known Linux-friendly Windows applications can be found. A search for "crossover" should turn up pages where CodeWeavers CrossOver lists Windows applications that have been tested for compatibility (Photoshop, Illustrator, and Microsoft Office are among those listed).
Reprinted from the May 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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