Linux as a Desktop Computer (Suse 10.1)
I just installed Suse 10.1 for my desktop.
Pro’s: I can accomplish so much on the networking side. Most of the installation worked; found all my drivers; and even my printer; a slew of applications were installed by default to take care of my multimedia, websurfing, etc. I like the GUI.
Cons: I am missing Dreamweaver, Google Chat, TrueCrypt, AVG (I’m sure I could find an alterative for this), Picasa, iTunes… well the list goes on. I get only 24bit color with correct video driver installed. Online Updater was not finding their server even though internet was working fine. Slower in general. I don’t like the GUI (more dislike than like).
The Pro’s are something I can get by without… a few of the Cons are irreplaceable. I cannot use linux for my desktop, only servers. It was fun though, I always like to see what progress they have made in the desktop world.
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Comments
Gaim is aweful. As much as I love gaim for compatibility, it does not compare with GoogleChat. Google Chat checks for new emails, displays them in my system tray, allows easy calling/vmail/filesharing, integrates with Gmail Contacts. There is no subsitute for Google Talk. Still no replacement for iTunes. Dreamweaver is the only application in my list that I would be open to changing. Quanta is neat.
XFCE is a great window manager. I am actually looking for a good PPC linux for an old G3 iMac. I get a Suse 10.1 boot error I can’t get past, theres no google results on the error either. I had an old yellow dog on it, but I’m looking for a new Linux with something like xfce.
I’m not quite sure, but since you like rpm based distros… try ppc mandriva (old mandrake).
you may try ubunto too… but i can’t tell if it comes with XFCE or you need to isntall it…. as you should know, with linux you hav many options; the problem is that the easy ones doesn’t come with what you want…. but at the end it’s ok because it force you to learn the hard way.
For sure debian have a ppc verision, but you know the problem with debian.
Honestly I have never installed suse on a machine. I heard wonderfull things about it, but never squeeze it as i should.
for the apps…. there are replacements… for dreamweaver you can use nvu… for googlechat.. (google chat is jabber my friend) use gaim… msn… amsn will work and so on.
One of the things you will appreciate from linux is the GIMP… after you learn to use it.. you will kick some ass…. besides, if it is running a little bit slow, chek for optimization packages and/or swap the GUI.
Remember, at the end, suse still been an RPM based distro…
my personal setup is XFCE runing on slackware 10.1 on a way old pc (PII@350MHz and 128 MB Ram) and it runs faster than this machine (work pc)
I allready buy some parts to build a new pc… just waiting for my next paycheck to finish it.