I have read opinions from some folks who don't like Lindows. Thought I would post a reason for why I do like Lindows.

About a year and a half ago I decided to build another system. In doing so, I researched how much I needed to spend on software and ran into a lot of different opinions. Upgrade/OEM/Full Retail Version????? I decided to check in with the IT department at work. Of course, the director was firmly entrenched in the fact that each system must have its own license. OK - the $$$ started to rise. Then I got confused about whether OEM was actually a full version disc or what?

The folks in IT were somewhat amused by my lack of knowledge, yet patient. One of them slipped me some discs - Mandrake 9.0 and Lycoris.

I was really surprised at how far this Linux thing had come and what you could actually do with it. Mind you - I am on broadband so I didn't have to deal with a modem. I could load and surf. COOL!!!

I started to tinker and play. I am not a geek in the true sense of the word. I learn about the OS only because I HAVE to in order to make something work. It is not my fantasy to be able to build my own Linux Distro. I like to load a system and see how it works.

Mandrake had a LOT to play with and I really kind of liked that. Lycoris was familiar and I found it very easy to use.

Then I discovered a site to download distro's and burn ISO. It took me a couple days to figure out how to burn an ISO image and I was so proud when I did it. I tried the free version of Libranet, ELX, Redhat, Knoppix, MEPIS,. Oh yes - I also bought SUSE.

What I was looking for was something that would just work on my basic not to new and not to old middle of the line hardware. I also wanted to be able to get something that would make loading software easy.

I never really figured out how to load software onto rpm based distros. I liked what came with it, but I couldn't figure out how to do anything other than update the system. I bought the boxed $79 version of Mandrake at Best Buy and installed it. I also bought SUSE there.

I had heard about LindowsOS and thought it was a bit expensive. I didn't really like how much they were charging, but I was also really curious. I plucked down the money and in less than a week it came in the mail.

I admit - I liked the look of it. I really enjoyed how the desktop looked and how they had laid things out. I knew at the time that I bought it that I would have to purchase the CNR thing, which I did about a month later. My hardware was all detected without any problem, but by this time I had kind of figured out what hardware worked with linux and what didn't.

I sitll use other distro's and tinker with them on my spare computer, but LIndows is the only one I have used that allows me to do everything I used to do in a MS Windows environment. I can use my scanner, printer, digital camera, DVD Player with it. Yes - I am sure other Distro's can do it as well. I just couln't figure out how to load driver's or configure this and that to get it to work.

I do like downloading a distro now and then, but I also believe that if you like a distro, you should support it. MEPIS is another one I like. I can use apt-get and get all the software I have in Lindows. Why not use MEPIS instead of LIndows??? Lindows still is my preferred system. It is easier for me to use. I'm a typical male and every now and then I have to check out what is out there.

If you like a distro - that is great. Support it. Give them some money to make it better. I don't regret paying for Lindows. It fits my needs.

There are a lot of different Distro's on this forum. I don't believe that because I like Lindows that it is any more important or superior than another. Each Distro has a fan base. That is the way it should be. Some of us who are not as technically inclined don't mind paying for a company to make a user friendly LInux distro at a cost. For others who prefer to create what they want out of it - they can.

To each his/her own.

Personally - I've been treated well by my Lindows box and the folks at Lindows.

Well written review of your "Newbie" experiences. Indeed that is what Linux is all about...A flavor for everyone....

Nice review seakryan!
If you have time and interest, I think you should consider extending it a bit and have it published at desktopos.com.

Thumbs up
ealm

Why desktopos.com? He could add it to our very own Reviews section of his experiences right here to help improve our own site, etc.

Didn't know there was a such... well, I guess he can put it wherever he wants
Yes now I see.. indeed this site has got nice content. Cool to see so many different dists come together also. You could need a little face lift imo though
Keep up the good work!