Lindows compatibility with... linux

kaega2 · 10-29-2003, 12:22 AM

I just read for the first time about Lindows (I'm sure some of you are wondering what I've been smoking). I have a couple of questions that I couldn't find answer's too. Like how well it runs standard linux software. I know with Mandrake and Redhat which are supposed to be easy you run into problems sometimes when compiling from source. If you were to download a linux binary or a tarball file how well does lindows compile and run/install it?

My second question which slightly involves my first question, do you still have to do some things through the terminal command line? Some things just require that you type through a command line. Did they find a way around that? If they did, how reliable is it?

In my experience, the more features and the easier an OS is the more bugs and crashes you run into. Except for the Mac OS, I've always found it to be a good balance of the too

. Any info would be appreciated from anyone familiar with lindows

yapp · 10-29-2003, 03:51 AM

Well, why do you want to run Lindows?

Being able to install software depends on how closely a distribution follows the file hierachy standards, and such.

If you want to install software from a tarball, you need developer tools like the C-compiler, and header files (includes). Lindows has a click-and-run system to install new software from a menu. Some people might like this, but you need to pay for it. I've read stories about people installing Lindows for their grandmom, and they liked it because they understood click-and-run.

But in reality, you're paying Lindows for free software

I'm very keen on installing programs from a tarball. I never really had a dependency hell, and I don't have to look for packages. (because everyone releases their program as tarball) and I use "checkinstall" to create a package for me, so I can remove the program too.

But if you really want to get rid of the command line, try Mandrake or SuSe. (or just Microsoft Windows... seriously!)

ps. there is one big reason why I could advise everyone NOT to use Lindows:

Quote:

There is one Linux distribution that is ignoring many years of common sense, good design, and an awareness of secure operating environments in favor of a Microsoft-like deprecation of security before the nebulous term "ease of use": Lindows. By default, Lindows runs the user of the system as root (and it even encourages the user to forgo setting up a root password during installation by labeling it as "optional"!), an unbelievably shortsighted decision that results in a Linux box with the same security as a Windows 9.x machine.

If you go to the Lindows Web site, they state that it is possible to add other, non-privileged users, but nowhere in the operating system do they advocate adding these other users. Yet they claim their distribution of Linux is secure! In an effort to emulate Microsoft and make things "easy", they have compromised the security of their users, an unforgivable action. No one in the field of security, or even IT, can recommend Lindows while such a blatant disregard for security is the norm for the OS.

source / review

kaega2 · 10-29-2003, 06:50 PM

Heh, well, I never was planning to switch. I just like to know everything, so I ask questions. I just wanted some opinions of how good (or bad) the software really is. I think that quote that you put there pretty much said it all.

I'm actually thinking of going to slackware. I've heard that it's faster and gives you more control. I'm looking for more control then an easier OS. I would use windows if I wanted an easier OS, just like you said.

Thanks for your input yapp, it's just what I was looking for

(P.S. Rest to sure that if I ever try lindows I won't be paying for it)

yapp · 10-30-2003, 03:07 AM

hi. great to hear.

I hope you'll have a good time using slackware. I'm very happy with it, and you seam to have nice arguments for using it.