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885 lines
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<H1><A NAME="answer">
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<font color="#B03060">The Answer Gang</font>
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<H4>By Jim Dennis, Ben Okopnik, Dan Wilder, Breen, Chris, and...
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(<a href="tag/bios.html">meet the Gang</a>) ...
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the Editors of Linux Gazette...
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and You!
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<br>Send questions (or interesting answers) to
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The Answer Gang
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for possible publication
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<!-- begin 9 -->
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<H3 align="left"><img src="../../gx/dennis/qbubble.gif"
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height="50" width="60" alt="(?) " border="0"
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>linux questions</H3>
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<p><strong>From zen maiku
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</strong></p>
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<p></strong></p>
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<!-- sig -->
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<!-- sig -->
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<p align="right"><strong>Answered By Breen Mullins, mike martin, Ben Okopnik, Robos, Mike "Iron" Orr, Thomas Adam, Dan Wilder, Heather Stern
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</strong></p>
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<P><STRONG>
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Dear The Answer Gang,
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</STRONG></P>
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<P><STRONG>
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Hi, I just did a search on the Internet for a problem I was having, and
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I was led to a site with an answer by "The Answerman" on it, and I
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immediately thought he was great! Short, straightforward answers; to the
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point, simple, and very helpful!
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</STRONG></P>
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<P><STRONG>
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So, naturally, right away, I decided to come to him with my own
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questions, and that's when I discovered that his E-mail may no longer exist.
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</STRONG></P>
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<P><STRONG>
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So now I am coming to you, The Answer Gang, who were mentioned as a
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soon-to-be organized group of people, at the time of the article I was at.
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(Linux Gazette Issue 55)
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</STRONG></P>
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<P><STRONG>
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So, if you would please, I have some questions for you. I looked in
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The Answer Gang Knowledge Base, but it didn't really give me the simple,
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short and succinct answers I was looking for. There was some help in there,
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but it was accompanied by a LOT of extra stuff. I'm writing in the hopes
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that you can deliver as well as The Answerman did.
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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Well, The Answer Guy is still here. We'll try to help though. Jim may
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even toss in a suggestion or two.
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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The reason you're not finding simple answers is that you're not asking
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simple questions.
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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I'm thinking about switching over to Linux on my personal computer to
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replace Windows.
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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Good!
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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I am not a seasoned Linux user, so I have encountered some
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difficulty with a few aspects of its use.
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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This is pretty common for newish Linux users.
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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Since it turns out that I have 12 questions total, and they are all
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multi-part, AND because these questions are a serious impediment to my Linux
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use, I have named them "The Linux Deadly Dozen". My questions, because I
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can't seem to find too many straight answers online, are:
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</STRONG></P>
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<P><STRONG><BLOCKQuote>
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1. I'm a home user who uses the Internet a lot, plays games, works with
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music, and other average activities, and I have above-average computer
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literacy - Which Linux distribution is the best choice for me? What are the
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major differences between Mandrake, <A HREF="http://www.redhat.com/">Red Hat</A> and Best Linux? Are they the
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three best distributions out there?
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</BLOCKQuote></STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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I'm not familiar with Best. I use Red Hat; others here prefer <A HREF="http://www.debian.org/">Debian</A>
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(which is probably NOT the best distribution for a new user). Mandrake
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has a reputation for being easier on the new user. S.U.s.E is also very
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well regarded. Other members of the Gang may have other favorites. The
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best distro is the one that works for you. (I know, you wanted a simple
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answer. There isn't one to this question.)
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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Not heard of Best, I use RH myself but for a newbie Mandrake is probably
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good, <A HREF="http://www.suse.com/">SuSE</A> is also fairly good
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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2. Does Mandrake, Red Hat, or Best Linux support USB ports? Is support
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built in, or do I have to download a patch or something? If the ports
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themselves work fine with Linux, then is it simply a matter of getting Linux
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drivers for specific USB devices?
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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USB support is pretty good with 2.4 kernels, which you'll get with a
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recent distribution.
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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Current versions have support built in
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</blockQuote>
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<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Heather] SuSE has had working USB support since kernel revision 2.2.14 or so.
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Both 2.2.x and 2.4.x kernels will have USB support. There will be lots
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of modules, but usbmgr should deal with all that under the hood stuff
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for you...
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</blockquote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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3. Can I get Linux to support my Rockwell HCF 56k winmodem?
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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Check on www.linmodems.org - Ithink they arenow supported
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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How about my
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GeForce2 MX400 AGP video card, and my Soundblaster Live! Value sound card?
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Heather] Yes albeit weird (nVidia has two modules to add, one for the kernel and one
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for X, but they are good), and probably. Creative Labs has been directly
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on the bandwagon for awhile now.
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</blockquote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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How about cable modems?
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
|
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Iron]
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linmodems.org is all for analog modems. A cable "modem" isn't really a modem.
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External ones that connect to the computer via an ordinary Ethernet card have
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a better chance of being Linux compatible than internal or USB ones. It all
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depends on whether the modem requires a proprietary driver, and whether such
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a driver exists for Linux.
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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You should search Google for hardware compatibility information. (I'd
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advise getting a real modem if you're even halfway serious about Linux.
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Or even halfway serious about The Other System for that matter.)
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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4. What are the differences between <A HREF="http://www.kde.org/">KDE</A> and Gnome,
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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various but not that apparent to a convert
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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and why would I want to
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use one over the other?
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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Personal preference
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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Do they both contain office suites?
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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KDE does and gnome contains some very classy apps, gnumeric (excel)
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evolution (what outlook should be), and galeon (web browser)
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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Are they good,
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or should I go with StarOffice? I want an office suite for word processing,
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spreadsheets, and possibly web page building.
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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This is a matter of personal preference. You should install both and try
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them; then you'll know which is better for you from the strength of your
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own experience.
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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5. Should (can) I use Wine to run Windows programs like messengers and
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games, or are there Linux versions of these things? I want to be able to
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communicate with people on MSN Messenger and AIM,
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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Use everybuddy or gaim or AOL linux client
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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Messenger clients are a dime a dozen in Linux. You don't need an
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emulator.
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</blockQuote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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and I want to play some of
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the current popular games. What can Wine do for me that makes it a
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must-have? (or is it a must-have?)
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
|
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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I'm not a gamer so I won't comment on whether emulation is
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likely to be any good for your games.
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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games are a problem
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Ben]
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Let's see - I just finished a rousing round of Quake2, and was running
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Heretic yesterday - and I'm not a big-time game maven. Admittedly, there
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are not nearly as many games for Linux as there are for Wind*ws (although
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that's changing fairly quickly), but dismissing it with "games are a
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problem" is rather simplistic. Take a look at the "Linux games" section at
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Tucows; I think you'll be amazed at what's available. Trust me, I'm <em>not_</em>
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talking about yet another version of Tetris here. As well, take a look at
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some of the stuff currently in development at <A HREF="http://www.freshmeat.net/">Freshmeat</A>/SourceForge; people
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are coming up with distributed game systems that will make Wind*ws stuff
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look totally <EM>passe</EM> within a year or so.
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</blockQuote>
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<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Heather] See another thread on that topic, this issue.
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</blockquote>
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<P><STRONG>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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>
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6. What are the most common Linux file types, and what are their Windows
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counterparts? I notice Linux doesn't use .exe files? When I click on
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certain files in Linux, it asks what I want to use to open them, but I have
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no idea what to choose. Also, what are, and how do I use, RPM packages?
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</STRONG></P>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Breen]
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I'm going to skip this one right now. I think you'll do better to
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concentrate on some of your other questions first.
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</blockQuote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [mike]
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linux does not have file types like in the windows world. Files are
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ssociated with mime-types although there some conventions
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</blockQuote>
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<blockquote><code><font color="#000033"><br>.sh shell scripts
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<br>.pl perl scripts
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</font></code></blockquote>
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<blockQuote>
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<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
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HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
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> [Ben]
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That's incorrect. Wind*ws does not have file types - its associations are
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based on the extension that a file has (which can lead to some rather funny
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situations.) Files under Linux are not associated with mime-types - that's
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a purely optional mechanism that is often used by mail clients and browsers
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(and a few other odd things) - but the only way a file is going to <em> _have</em> a
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mime-type is if one has been <em> _assigned</em> to it by a mail client, etc. Under
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Unix in general, files are recognized by their "magic", usually the first
|
|
few bytes with which a file begins.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
These extensions are conventions "more honored in the breach than the
|
|
observance". I usually tell my students that unless they're writing Perl
|
|
on a Wind*ws platform, they should <EM>not</EM> use the ".pl" extensions - and
|
|
if they are, to use ".plx", since ".pl" is the correct extension for a
|
|
Perl _library._ Under Linux, it doesn't matter whether you use the
|
|
extension or not.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Iron]
|
|
... unless the program itself requires them. For instance, top-level Python
|
|
scripts that you run from the shell or by clicking an icon may have the .py or
|
|
not--it doesn't matter. But if it's a Python module you want to import from
|
|
inside another Python program, it better have the .py extension or it won't
|
|
work.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Thomas]
|
|
Ben, surely file "extensions" are depreciated
|
|
nowadays, since what is the purpose of the she-bang
|
|
line??? -- of course as mike said, <EM>some</EM> languages do
|
|
need the extension.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Ben]
|
|
You're confusing filetype checking within the OS and <EM>filename usage</EM> in a
|
|
programming context. The OS, as per my earlier statement, does not care
|
|
about what extension you give the file - period. The fact that you can't,
|
|
for example, rename "<TT>/etc/resolv.conf</TT>" to "my_favorite_DNS_servers.really"
|
|
and have it work has nothing to do with this.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Dan]
|
|
Python compiles and saves modules at import time, and wants to
|
|
see the compiled module stored beside the source code, as file.py
|
|
and file.pyc.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
Not having to wildcard the name or do a search possibly
|
|
shortens the "shall I compile this now" decision.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Ben]
|
|
I can't see how that bears on the issue at all. Libraries and modules in
|
|
Perl are also required to have extensions that identify them <EM>within Perl</EM>,
|
|
but this has nothing to do with file identification within the OS itself.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<blockquote><pre>Baldur:/tmp$ cp /usr/lib/python2.1/uu.py .
|
|
Baldur:/tmp$ file uu.py
|
|
uu.py: a /usr/bin/python script text executable
|
|
Baldur:/tmp$ mv uu.py uu
|
|
Baldur:/tmp$ file uu
|
|
uu: a /usr/bin/python script text executable
|
|
Baldur:/tmp$
|
|
</pre></blockquote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
As far as identifying the file goes, the extension makes no difference.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Thomas]
|
|
Ultimately though the colour options passed to "ls -l"
|
|
make it much easier for me to identify a file type...
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Ben]
|
|
This <em> _still</em> does not use extensions. Actually, given the limited action of
|
|
the way it works, I suspect it just sets the colors based on the data in
|
|
the inode.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Heather] Well, <EM>my</EM> set of /etc/DIR_COLORS definitely uses extensions; I like to see
|
|
that .jpg (and various permutations) .gif (likewise) .png (and so on) in a
|
|
given color to tell me that they are images, various permutations of tarball
|
|
(e.g. .tgz, .tar.bz2, .zip and its permutations, .deb, .rpm...) are packages,
|
|
and so on.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<blockquote>I have a limited number of colors to play with but it's very helpful anyway.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<blockquote>If ls knows how to read by magic rather than extensions it's news to me.
|
|
Of course it <EM>is</EM> useful to tell at a glance that I have the exec bit set,
|
|
or that a given item is a symlink and not a real directory.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
7. Where can I get great Linux freeware, like the great freeware I use on
|
|
Windows; to handle picture viewing and editing, compressed files, music and
|
|
video files, and other such things? What are the best programs?
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [mike]
|
|
dont need it, most of the freeware programs for windows are either core
|
|
parts of the OS, and otherwise the web - loads of programs
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Breen]
|
|
<A HREF="http://sourceforge.net"
|
|
>http://sourceforge.net</A> will give you a list of more free programs than
|
|
you can shake a stick at.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
Oh. The best? The usual answer: try some out. Start with the ones that
|
|
come with your distribution. My opinions won't match others anyway.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
8. Will a computer that's running Mandrake, Red Hat, or Best Linux with a
|
|
GUI like KDE or Gnome on it, be faster, slower, or about the same speed as a
|
|
computer running Windows 95? What about Windows 98, ME, XP? Will programs
|
|
and games load and run comparably?
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Breen]
|
|
Too many variables here; I don't think there's a meaningful answer. I
|
|
haven't used Windows in years anyway.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [mike]
|
|
difficult to say, probably slower than w95 but comparable with full GUI
|
|
to others (but nicer)
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Heather] variable 1: linux native binaries may run much faster. variable 2: our GUI
|
|
is not just X itself but the Window Manager too. We have more major Window
|
|
Managers than fingers, and a lot of minor ones too. That's wihout counting
|
|
the desktop environments. variable 3: different apps need different
|
|
resources, and as we're multiuser you can run lots of apps at once. There's
|
|
more tools to look at resources than you can shake a stick at too.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<blockquote>I could go on...
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
9. What are the GPL, GNU, and Freeware Licenses about? What are the
|
|
differences between them? Are there other similar licenses I am unaware of?
|
|
My interest is in ad-free, popup free, commercial free freeware only. I
|
|
do not like shareware, commercial software (some exceptions), or adware,
|
|
since the (best) freeware out there has often been superior anyway.
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [mike]
|
|
Use the term Free software - big subject, pop into www.slashdot.org to
|
|
get a feel of the subject
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Breen]
|
|
What, in 50 words or less? Rivers of ink have been spilled over
|
|
licensing issues. I'm not going to even attempt to summarize. (Besides,
|
|
this is yet another way to start a flame war and I didn't wear my
|
|
asbestos undies today.)
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Heather] I wrote an editorial ranting a bit on this subject awhile back, easy to
|
|
find if you type "kosher" into the LG Search page.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
10. What's the deal with compiling libraries? What does it mean to do that,
|
|
why is it necessary, and how is it done? What is a compiler, and which one
|
|
is the best?
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Breen]
|
|
Don't worry about this. You probably won't need to compile anything at
|
|
all for at least six months after you move into your Linux system.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [mike]
|
|
When you are starting it is NOT neccesary, but has dvatages when you get
|
|
into it. Most programs are available as rpm's
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
11. What is X Windows? Is it part of Linux or KDE or Gnome or something?
|
|
Is it a must-have component, or built-in one, or neither, or both?
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Breen]
|
|
X is the underpinning of the graphical interface you're going to want to
|
|
use. Your distribution will install it; you probably won't need to worry
|
|
about it for, oh, six months.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [mike]
|
|
For all practical purposes a built in. gnome/kde run on top of X which
|
|
runs on top of Linux
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Heather] From an end user view, it's the GUI. You don't need a GUI to do cool
|
|
things in Linux... but lots of people like to have one. As opposed to
|
|
MSwin, where the GUI cannot be reasonably removed and even if you thought
|
|
you wanted that (?!) there are so very few decent console mode apps.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
12. What is the best web browser to use on Linux? Do KDE and/or Gnome have
|
|
built-in web browsers? If so, are they good enough for most general purpose
|
|
Internet use, and eliminate the need to download anything else?
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Breen]
|
|
Boy, you're just trying to start a fight, aren't you? This is yet
|
|
another question without an answer. KDE and/or Gnome will install a
|
|
browser for you. Try one. Try several. Decide which one is best for you.
|
|
(I use and like one called Galeon. Another member of the Answer Gang
|
|
foams at the mouth when it's mentioned.)
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [mike]
|
|
Galeon (gnome app), have heard konquerer and Opera are OK
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<blockquote><IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Heather] I use lynx, it may be text mode but it's the fastest thing on the planet...
|
|
some who also like text consoles may prefer links, or w3m. All these have
|
|
SSL support available too.
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<blockquote>You said you hate adware so I dunno if there's an Opera version you'll
|
|
like yet...
|
|
</blockquote>
|
|
<P><STRONG>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/qbub.gif" ALT="(?)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
>
|
|
Thank you in advance for any help, and thank you for your time and effort.
|
|
</STRONG></P>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Robos]
|
|
Hi!
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
Lots of questions there, and a tremendous amount of answers in the
|
|
net. Therefore I give you some pointers where to start
|
|
reading. Because this is in my opinion the main difference between win
|
|
and linux: you have to actually read stuff! Lots of stuff. But as a
|
|
consequence - you learn something
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/smily.gif" ALT=";-)"
|
|
height="24" width="20" align="middle">
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
(had this with a friend of mine and me (both quite good in
|
|
linux-matters) when he bought a mac with OSX: we simply pushed buttons
|
|
- without reading the manual - because you're supposed to do this if
|
|
you have a gui, aren't you?)
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
So, the list:
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<UL>
|
|
|
|
<li> <A HREF="http://linuxdoc.org"
|
|
>http://linuxdoc.org</A> - lotsa nice stuff there
|
|
<li> <A HREF="http://linux-newbie.org"
|
|
>http://linux-newbie.org</A> (never taken a look...)
|
|
<li> very important: <A HREF="http://www.google.com/linux"
|
|
>http://www.google.com/linux</A>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/smily.gif" ALT=";-)"
|
|
height="24" width="20" align="middle">
|
|
<li> <A HREF="http://www.kde.org"
|
|
>http://www.kde.org</A> and <A HREF="http://www.gnome.org"
|
|
>http://www.gnome.org</A>
|
|
<li> <A HREF="http://freshmeat.net"
|
|
>http://freshmeat.net</A> very important for application questions
|
|
<li> taking a look at <A HREF="http://slashdot.org"
|
|
>http://slashdot.org</A> 15 to 20 times a day
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
isn't that bad either
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
<li> Since I use debian I can only point you to their list, maybe the
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
others can provide something for the other distros:
|
|
<A HREF="http://packages.debian.org/testing/allpackages.html"
|
|
>http://packages.debian.org/testing/allpackages.html</A> - available
|
|
programs with a short description
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
<li> For games:
|
|
<A HREF="http://appdb.codeweavers.com/appbrowse.php?catId=2"
|
|
>http://appdb.codeweavers.com/appbrowse.php?catId=2</A>
|
|
or
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.transgaming.com/dogamesearch.php?order=working&;showall=1"
|
|
>http://www.transgaming.com/dogamesearch.php?order=working&;showall=1</A>
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
<li> For office suits:
|
|
koffice.org
|
|
openoffice.org
|
|
<br>
|
|
|
|
</UL><blockQuote>
|
|
I think with these you will be happy for the next month or two,
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/bbub.gif" ALT="(!)"
|
|
HEIGHT="28" WIDTH="50" BORDER="0"
|
|
> [Ben]
|
|
Robos is The Man.
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/smily.gif" ALT=":)"
|
|
height="24" width="20" align="middle">
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
I think that's one point that everybody, including me, forgot to make - and
|
|
it's possibly the most important one there is. Linux is <EM>not</EM> free. Oh, it
|
|
doesn't have to cost anything money-wise - you can download the complete
|
|
install, or borrow a CD from a friend (unlike dealing with Wind*ws, this is
|
|
actually <em> _encouraged</em> ) - but where it does cost is in the time invested in
|
|
learning it. Some people, however, see that as a very good thing indeed
|
|
(and I'm among them): not only do you get to have this nifty OS, but you
|
|
also get to understand it, woohoo! The thing is, you don't get to just lean
|
|
back and click on icons (unless you want just the basic functionality). As
|
|
soon as you want to get hold of some of the serious power that's available
|
|
with Linux, you've got to open the hood, reach under, grrrab those
|
|
high-voltage wires, and <EM>feel</EM> the power of Linux!... Oh, sorry - got a
|
|
little carried away there.
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/smily.gif" ALT=":)"
|
|
height="24" width="20" align="middle">
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
Anyway, that's the big difference. When you want more out of Wind*ws,
|
|
well... you can pay lots of money and get, uh, something real pretty and
|
|
with lots of flash and neat sound-effects and stuff (functionality will be
|
|
included in the next release - no, REALLY!) With Linux, there's (usually)
|
|
no money involved and the power is available right now - but you <EM>do</EM> need
|
|
to sit down and <EM>study</EM>. If that trade-off sounds good to you... welcome to
|
|
Linux. You're in for a fun time.
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
<blockQuote>
|
|
Oh, and do be careful - those numbers on the speedometer are <EM>exponential</EM>
|
|
values.
|
|
<IMG SRC="../../gx/dennis/smily.gif" ALT=":)"
|
|
height="24" width="20" align="middle">
|
|
</blockQuote>
|
|
|
|
<!-- end 9 -->
|
|
<P> <hr> </p>
|
|
<!-- *** BEGIN copyright *** -->
|
|
<H5 align="center">This page edited and maintained by the Editors
|
|
of <I>Linux Gazette</I>
|
|
<a href=""
|
|
>Copyright ©</a> 2002
|
|
<BR>Published in issue 77 of <I>Linux Gazette</I> April 2002</H5>
|
|
<H6 ALIGN="center">HTML script maintained by
|
|
<A HREF="mailto:star@starshine.org">Heather Stern</a> of
|
|
Starshine Technical Services,
|
|
<A HREF="http://www.starshine.org/">http://www.starshine.org/</A>
|
|
</H6>
|
|
<!-- *** END copyright *** -->
|
|
<!--startcut ======================================================= -->
|
|
<P> <hr>
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