[Techtalk] Wanted: Help in New Mexico

[Caitlyn M. Martin]

Hi, Carla, and everyone else.
> 
> I second the RH8 recommendation, I've torture-tested it extensively. It's a 
> very nice package. There is one downside: it does not install 3d 
> acceleration, or Flash, or Realplayer, which could be a major hassle for an 
> inexperienced user. 

RealPlayer can be installed via rpm, which is relatively easy.  Flash
installs as a script which isn't too bad either.  The 3D issue *could*
be a hassle or could be another rpm--that depends on the hardware to be
used.  

Carla, it's a good point you raise.  RH doesn't include the above
because they insist on only shipping stuff which is OpenSource in the
distro.  If you buy the boxed set you get some commercial apps, but not
many.  Philosophically, I like Red Hat's decision.  From a Windows end
user standpoint it may not be the best.
> 
> Another one to consider is Xandros- it's a wonderful distribution, and it also 
> runs some Windows apps via CrossOver. And it installs all the cool multimedia 
> goodies. For a desktop user who wants least hassle and most functions, for 
> $99 I think it's a pretty sweet deal. The potential downside is the EULA, and 
> source code availability, I haven't been able to get answers on either of 
> those. There are links on the Xandros web site, but they don't work!

My problems with Xandros are philosophical (licensing, continuing with
MS apps, etc...) with one exception:  adding third party software.  With
Red Hat there is almost always an rpm or else a script starting a GUI
installer for the bigger commercial stuff.  Most vendors pretty much
test and certify with Red Hat.  If they go beyond that they pick one or
two others from among the second tier distros:  SuSe, SCO/Caldera,
Mandrake, and TurboLinux.  Xandros?  Most ISVs don't even acknowledge or
know it exists.

Regards,
Cait