Linux

[EricW]

Is Linux finally becoming a viable desktop platform?

Is there a way to run WinTel software under Linux via an emulator like VirtualPC on the Mac?

Anybody used software development tools on Linux?

What about hardware support? Laptop compatibility?

The #1 thing that keeps me running under the thumb of WinHell are development tools like AutoCad and other engineering programs.

Microsoft keeps lowering their prices, so hopefully that means the industry will take the hint and start jumping ship. The only thing I hate more the running Microsoft OS's is developing stuff to run on them.

[Merlin Orr]

Not for the unwashed masses..... Bill, the AntiChrist, will rule the world - now and forever!

[shred]

Check out a copy of Knoppix sometime.. it's a full-boot Linux CD that will run on just about anything (laptops included). Stick it in, boot it up and you're in a full Linux desktop, with apps. Play with it, try it out and when you're done, pop the CD out and boot back into whatever you used to.

Quick answers to the asked questions-- these are my opinions, and yes I have several Linux boxes..

Is Linux finally becoming a viable desktop platform?

For techno-geeks or limited users-- not yet for everybody. Sooner or later you'll be at a shell prompt.

Is there a way to run WinTel software under Linux via an emulator like VirtualPC on the Mac?

Yes, though quality varies. Check out WINE and related stuff.

Anybody used software development tools on Linux?

Some. They were text-based.. make, nmake, gcc, etc.

What about hardware support? Laptop compatibility?

Pretty darn good these days. There are a few rough spots, but not many.

[SiG Lady]

Slightly off topic (in connection with Eric's initial inquiry), but the OPN (non-profit group) I may've mentioned in regard to where I'm "benching" my practice tinkerings on Saturdays, runs an all-Linux public computer lab at the downtown location. Surprising just how many people know all about it and just jump right in. My former-classmate/mentor-buddy who's on the BOD there is kind-of in charge of the Linux end of things, so he's ready to introduce me to it for real whenever I wish. As soon as I get thru all this Windows certification nonsense/hell (several more months) I'll dive back into researching Linux again and see how it feels.

Eric, what I did manage to find out in the meantime was that there are not only a lot of people involved in Linux, there's a lot of info about it out there online. But you probably knew that......

[EricW]

Eric, what I did manage to find out in the meantime was that there are not only a lot of people involved in Linux, there's a lot of info about it out there online. But you probably knew that...... [/color]

Yeah, I know all about Google....

But quite frankly, I'd rather ask a normal human being here than deal with some uber-geek. I guess I'll keep waiting. I still can't believe businesses are running away from Windows in droves just because of the huge maintenance costs involved.

[Deuce]

Been awhile since I heard this kinda talk.

I've been developing on Windows since '95. IBM mainframes (BAL) before that for a few years. Windows is just now becoming nearly as stable as VM/MVS/VSE and now people are lookin' to jump ship for DOS 6.0?

I still can't believe businesses are running away from Windows in droves just because of the huge maintenance costs involved

Come again?

Please forgive me ... but ... having developed with VB 3.0, MFC, Delphi, and back to VB 5.0 and VB 6.0, I must say, MS has done a great job of making Windows programming so simple a retarded chimp with an irregular set of crayons could easily develop on Windows. And .NET? Well, I'm afraid all the ex-Mac-jockey's will have to wait for something much better than Linux and Java to topple the tyranny.

Granted, many new UI's seem to be coming out in html ... but, with XP shipping with most new PC's and most businesses simply donating the old ones rather than upgrading 'em ... and .NET ... well ... I suppose a Timex Sinclair might be cheaper than an IBM Netfinity ... but it don't mean it's a better deal.

BTW, I'm no buddy of Bill Gates ... in fact, up 'til NT, I thought he was the worst thing that happened to computers ... having come from a world where nearly everything worked ... all the time. But, those days having past, I have no reason to hate him either.

Anyhow, any enemy of Klinton is a friend of mine.

[SiG Lady]

Eric, I don't necessarily mean just geeky forums (yeh, they're out there, I know), I mean just pounding the pavement online, doing legit' methodical topical research and finding BOW-KOO factual stuff.

And I have live people I can talk to about it, too, if I want--I'm just buried in Windows and such owing to my academic obligations........

[vincent]

I am a Unix jockey by trade and have used Linux since it came on a few floppy disks. However I usually don't recommend it to Windows or Apple desktop users since as mentioned you will end up on at a shell prompt. I personally love this since I find it faster to use the command line in most cases than a GUI.

Linux is really hard to beat as a cheap server platform - firewall, web, email, file server, etc. I've got a nice home firewall that runs on an old 486 with 8MB of RAM and the entire build fits on a single floppy. The system doesn't even have a hard drive or CD-ROM.

Most of the hard core developers I work with like Linux for C++ development especially for server applications. Another area that enjoys Linux support is the Java development community with Apache+Tomcat or Apache+Resin.

If you want to develop code to run on Windows then the best Integrated Development Environments for the task will also run on Windows. The software folks at my office like Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Edition for all kinds of Windows work including IIS hosted web applications. As mentioned Visual Studio really makes developing a snap.

I've had limited experience running modern Windows apps on Linux but WINE has come a long way in the last couple years. You may have a lot of trouble with engineering apps like AutoCAD and such, but it's worth a look. I've never tried any of those under an emulator.

The suggestion to try out Knoppix is about the best thing you can do. Knoppix is also a great tool to have around in the event you have to work on a virus infected system or recover from a serious Windows crash. I've brought many a buddy's Windows machine back from the grave with a Linux disk.

If anything be ready to do a lot of reading! Use Google and Google Groups. Unix heads still participate in Usenet unlike much of the general internet community.

Good Luck!