Over the space of a couple of years, I've bought a number of different linux distros from a fellow in Denver. I can't seem to find any linux OS that's very complete and works smoothly. Example: One version can't find your printer and another won't recognize my (I like it) M-Audio sound card.
A friend who chose Ubuntu can't get it to burn a DVD.
This is depressing. People are starting to scramble around with the demise of Windows XP looming ahead.
Most of the distros are about 7 to $10 which isn't very much, but I'd be more than glad to pay something like $40 or more for something that's intuitive and really works well in every way. For me it's been a (no offense) Frankenware experience. Should I just find a way to get (ugh) Windows 7 and forget linux ? Didn't really want to.

Those problems can be sorted out with a little research.
You can download the .iso for any distro for free, and burn it to CD or DVD.
It's up to you. If you really don't want to make any effort to get Linux to work, stick with Windows.

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Hmm, I haven't tried this particular distro but if it has a "simple to use" metric, it translates into really good hardware detection and driver support.

I believe Fedora to be an excellent desktop OS, and any skills you pick up can be transfered to many other solid distros. But if you're familiar with Debian-types then that is where you should concentrate your search.

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Some distributions with good support and which are generally easy to use are Linux Mint, Zorin and PCLinuxOS. The problems you mention are pretty minor and can usually be resolved by someone at this forum or at forums specific to that distribution. If your friend couldn't burn a DVD he didn't make much of an effort because Ubuntu has software to do that installed by default.

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Mis-information. What "demise"? Support ends but the OS will keep on working.

Why did you do that, when you can download them for FREE yourself?
Sorry, but by your definition, Windows isn't complete and doesn't work smoothly either. I can't begin to tell you how many times a fresh Windows installation can't find a printer/wifi card/whatever, and you have to scramble around looking for a driver or a program. Why is this different? I've not yet seen a piece of hardware that couldn't work with Linux..and I'm talking about COMMON hardware like printers and the like. My gaming workstation runs Windows 7...and had LOADS of trouble with a VERY common wifi card, that Linux could work with easily.

If you want EVERYTHING to work with zero effort out of the box, go buy a Mac. Enjoy paying loads more money to run/use what they want you to, so you can enjoy not having to do anything manually.
Then your friend can't follow simple instructions. There are MANY DVD burning programs that are available, including ones for the command-line.
That's up to you. openSUSE works great on my Vaio laptop, and EVERYTHING worked right off the bat. Fedora is another good choice, as is Mint. Mint would be a better choice for a new user...it's Debian based, and is geared towards consumer-grade hardware.

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I'd endorse the point that it's no use getting a distro, saying "my printer doesn't work", then getting another and saying "my sound card doesn't work", and then getting another...

All problems can be usually be solved. For example, I test and review Linuxes. My usb speakers are instantly recognised in some, while others need a little persuasion. Only two out of over a hundred actually failed, and that was a bug that was corrected. Some printers are simply not supported, but if a printer works in one, it can be got to work in all by getting the driver. Distros in the Red Hat family refuse to use Samsung printers — they take the printer's signals for some sort of alien invasion! — but you just need to temporarily disable the security.

Linux versions like Mint and PCLinuxOS are as simple as you can get, but I suspect that Linux will always need those little extra tweaks: it's often down to hardware manufacturers being unhelpful. I also suspect that some people will always be happier with Windows or a Mac.

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To: BrianL ... Everything takes a LOT more effort when you're 65 with some health problems. Also can't download an OS because of my slow rural connection. Maybe the library in town has high speed. To: Yancek ... I've tried Zorin, PClinux, Elemenatary OS, Puppy and two others I can't remember. Someone gave me an old disc with Mint on it and that worked the best. It came up with a message saying it was outdated. Might be worth a second try. Thanks.
A lot of good answers here, even if some are a bit caustic. Yes, Windows can be a pain in the rear too and I have to build my own PCs because of my very modest income. There aren't any Macs in my future ...Well maybe a Big Mac. They're only a couple of bucks. Please laugh now. I've made a lot of really good telescope mirrors, but that doesn't qualify me as a heart surgeon. What's easy for some can be very frustrating for others. Thanks again, I'll keep reading your suggestions if you have any more.

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Hi,

One suggestion would be to check a local University, College or Jr College Libraries. Locally our Public Library does allow burning of ISO once they were showed that it was legal.

Check for a Local Linux User Group(LUG) where you could get assistance or copies of Gnu/Linux Distributions;Most University or Colleges do have LUGs'.

You could do a search for mail order CD/DVD. KNOPPIX still provides options to get media; http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-vendors/index-en.php
If you check the following links there are several other Gnu/Linux for mail order;
I like Slackware which you can get from Slackware Store.

Hope this helps.

2 members found this post helpful.

Thank you. I'll check that out

Red Hat, and buy a little support..

I play tech support for my 64yo father-in-law with a few health problems, nothing I've helped him with could not have been handled by on the phone tech support.

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Actually, in my experience Macs have FAR more problems with 3rd party hardware than Windows and Linux combined. Ever tried using a USB->Serial adapter with a Mac? Good god that was a painful experience, for something that should (and does) work out of the box on every other system on the planet.

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That made me smile. I've got an old friend that keeps telling me to get a Mac. I took a screenshot of a Paypal checkout button and sent it to him. Sure Dave, buy it for me.

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You're right...but notice the "3rd party" hardware mentioned. If you buy NOTHING but Apple/Mac products, then you'll have the user experience the OP is after, but you have to pay the $$$ for it. Otherwise, you're exactly right...GFL.

OP, nothing was meant to be 'caustic' here...what you're after just doesn't exist on ANY system, ANYWHERE. The reason your pre-built system 'just works' with Windows, is because it was heavily customized by the hardware vendor (Dell, Sony, Asus, etc.), to EXACTLY fit the hardware in the box. That's why the 'recovery' system is built onto the hard drive...all the custom work is saved there. Want to try it? Buy a copy of Windows, and try to do the install...it'll probably 95% work, just like Linux does. But you'll then have to go get drivers, etc.

So your choice is simple: buy nothing but Apple products, or spend a small bit of time getting things like you want them with either Windows or Linux.

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Hi,

I really do not see an issue using iPad or other Apple equipment if it meets the need. I have several pieces of Apple equipment. Sure you may not have as many options for Open source but enough to get a user by. Some alternatives for iPad for LO; http://alternativeto.net/software/li...?platform=ipad

Just like the Windows and Linux wars for software & hardwarre, my system is better that yours! Some prefer Chevy vs Ford, the vehicle is used to move from point A to B.

Whatever you are comfortable using then feel assured someone else will say the opposite or have criticism contrary to your beliefs.

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