Before using Linux
 

I doubt whether my hardwares like my Canon printer, my speaker, CNet 56k modem, and a4tech mouse will work with mandrake Linux 8 or 9.

Can you please advise me regarding hardware conflict issues after switching to Linux?

Plus can i use my fave Win programs via Wine?

I have found that it is possible to get almost all your hardware working under linux, it may just take some time and have a bit of a learning curve associated with it. I say "almost all your hardware" because I cannot get my GE webcam working, but everything else went well.

This forum should be able to help you get anything working that doesn't work initially. Especially things like your printer, your speakers, modem and mouse. You really shouldn't run into too many problems. The trick is to just dive in and start leanring...you'll pick it up quicker than you think.

Good luck...

You can run some Windows applications in WINE. I personally use crossover office which uses Wine to run Dreamweaver. They have a list of applications that have been tested, and will run at http://www.codeweavers.com/site/comp...13ae8b0e726eef
Also another company is working on a project (Named David) That will supposedly run windows apps seemlessly in Linux
http://www.specopslabs.com/david.htm
Hopefully this will help.

Installing Mandrake with just about any hardware does go pretty smooth. There is always numerous resources for specific error codes. The internet is your one greatest resource for finding how to do what on which hardware. Google it, if you can't find it here, and you'll be just fine.

You may have to force some hardware to work. This just means you'll get it working, but it won't list the proper name (like windows will try to do), or may leave out functionality. My thought on this is, if you won't miss some miniscule added feature of a printer, don't spend days pouring over it.

Wine is a neat thing to have on your system, tho I have problems getting quite alot of Microsoft programs to run on it. If you have the resources, I'd like to mention that I prefer running a full machine emulator, like VMWare. Costly, yes, but you get full functionality, more or less like a second computer built in (fully networked as two computers, as well). Nice stuff, it is. Great for productivity testing, and it's an actual install of WindowsXP, 98, 2000, whatever you like. Not just a software emulator.

yeah i know what Davis is. It all started here in the Philippines and a foreign company wants to buy it.