Will linux ever come close to the ease of use as Windows and maintain it's stability, security and power?

I just installed mandrake 9.1 today, which was easy, but spent about 6 hours installing and then figuring out how to run yahoo messenger!

I have been using all versions of Windows for over 10 years and can answer most anyone's questions about windows but Linux makes me feel like a moron.

I have a ton of patience and would understand having a heavy learning curve with configuring hardware and networking but for Christ's sake, 6 hours to get messenger working!!!!!!!!!

I guess I might just have tunnel vision beacause of so much experience with Windows but this is ridiculous.

I know I shouldn't complain cause most of the people that write this software do so with no monetary gain but come on guys, it seems like it's made for elite users and to keep newbs out of the Linux circle.

In my EXTREMELY humble opinion, of course

Well I just started using Linux myself. I have VMware running a version of Mnadrake 9.1 and another running Redhat 9. I signed up for a Linux class but after 3 weeks the teacher seems to be learning Linux as we go. He has every cert under the sun for Windows, even an MCT but, he as big a newbie as the rest of us. Its really lame, I'm taking this class at a local college for 180 bucks so I guess I cant expect that much but 'cmon....

I am having a tough time starting out as well but Im very excited to learn this. I have wanted to for a long time and never got around to it. I have made a living as a network admin using Windows but its time to join the revolution here. I have to get off Windows computing. Good luck and hang in there.

I built a PC for a friend of mine about 18 months ago. I installed Mandrake 8.2 She has e-mailed me once in all that time. She had forgotten how to compile multi-session cds in Gnometoaster. Before using this PC, she had never used Windows. She is in her late 40s.

If you are finding things tough, why not post a question? It makes far more sense for your first post in a forum like this one to be a sensible question about how to install an app, rather than a negative one about how hard it is to do something...........don't you think?

Carly, you caught me!

This was more of a rant than a question but the question inside the rant remains. Why does linux seem to be difficult just for the sake of being difficult?

Here's a few sensible questions. How does one control where a package(program) is being installed? is there a standard naming convention for executables of programs, like exe in windows? Where is the equivalent of the network neighborhood to view and access all systems on the network. How do I click on a hyperlink where it will open a new window rather than opening in the same window?

I have a seperate partition where all my mp3 are stored. how do I get that drive to mount automatically so that when I run Xmms, I dont have to mount the drive everytime I restart?

Why does an Icon for a newly installed program not appear under applications in the menu?

Why does an Icon for a newly installed program not appear under applications in the menu?

Because you are not using "windows"...

Hey schigara, no offense but I think you need to forget what you know about Windows and tackle Linux with a fresh attitude.

I think your starting to annoy some of the regulars here.

I was ready to dive right in and start administering Linux (Im a network admin on Windows systems) but I have been humbled. I am prepared though to take it slow and learn as I go. Relax and take it one problem at a time.

Good luck!

And for the MP3, I would suggest you:
First, log in as root (root is something like "super user", or "system administrator" in windows, you set the password for it during installation):
First, I would like to warn Linux could not explore the files in NTFS disk, only FAT16 or FAT32 under windows.
Let us assume you have your MP3 in your D:, which is my situation.
1. Try this command:
fdisk -l /* this illustrate the partition chat on your computer, you would see a partition like dev/hda6 or dev/hda7 (you can judge from the size which is D. Mine is dev/hda6

2. Try this command:
mkdir /mnt/MP3 /*to make a linkking dir to your D: */

3. Try this command:
mount -t vfat /dev/hda6 /mnt/MP3

ok now you can get the access to your D: now. The rest is identical in windows.

In order to mount D: automatically when starting up, edit this file: /etc/fstab
add one line like "/dev/hda6 /mnt/MP3 vfat auto unmask=0 0 0"


Qu Chen

Hi all, my first post on this forum. Anyway linux is definitely a more complex OS then windows. But glad to see so many helpers in this forum, guess ill be needing the help for future, cos ill be setting up a server base on linux, and i know nuts about linux.

Anyway, i got a question. My desktop currently has no cdrom and floppy icons, do u no how can i add them on my desktop?? thanks

In RedHat 9, use right mouse to click on the desktop and choose "new"->"floppy (or cdrom)". Then you will see a new icon there, then you could mount it.

Qu Chen

thanks

in response to umok; i do not think linux is a more complex os;
i just think that users get to see more of its inner workings than
they get to see in windows. i like how with linux when something
goes wrong i get some useful info instead of a bsod with memory
addresses and some obscure error message which when i look it
up can mean a number of things.

in short: the complexity you mention i see as clarity.

Yeah, its just my first few days learning, probably im just used to windows thats all, but i will learn and adapt, cos im on an attachment u see? need the skill. But i do get ur point, and hope the current complexity can become a clarity for me soon =)

haha after reading all the post what's the conclusion?linux is tougher or windows is tougher.according to my taste there is no rules or rights to curse linux.whatever is not in windows is there in linux.one who starts his or her computing with linux and not with windows will surely wont like to use windows.iam really proud of open source community.that's it.

Last time I used anything like Linux was learning UNIX about ten years ago - followed promptly by forgetting everything and seeing only things Windows.

I had the C drive Windows directory Program Files road map firmly implanted in my head.

Once you can visualise in your head the different structure of things, and lets face it finding a file right out at the start can be a major task in itself it get's easier, you might not know how do specific things, but you can do the wrong things quicker if you know what I mean, and rectify them even quicker once you know the solution.

Still striving for Nivarda myself but the road definitely gets easier and it's quite a satisfying feeling to know you've accomplished something.


Edit: I've got lost on my way to Nirvana and ended up in Nirvada

I apologize to anyone I might have offended yesterday with my attitude. But in my own defense, I had just spent 6hours getting one little program to work and was a bit frustrated with the whole experience.

After taking a break from it and getting some sleep, it looks a lot easier today.

I love the idea of open source software. I have found most of the programs at sourceforge that are the equivalent of what I use in windows.


PS. Hey Looking_Lost, how's the weather out there in Nirvada? lol