Try out Mandrake Linux. It installs easily....and very easy on the user.
--- "Shiv Kumaar,91-22-28906693, 9820320927 (mobile)" journoshiv@yahoo.co.in wrote: it was not difficult to adjust to linux. since i figured out early that the term browser cut across OSes :) :) then it was easy going.... also open office was similar to MS Office. the interface of debian knoppix (that's what it said when the computer booted) was quite friendly. very intuitive.
but a free distro by partecs www.partecs.com was troublesome. the live CD booted nicely, but there was no way i could connect to the net using the live cd. clicked on Internet>PPPsomething which detected the ethernet card but didn't connect to the net. i got the msg:pppdaemon died unexpectedly.
the free distro also had a troublesome feature: "Help" caters to developers. "Yelp" seemed to be written half-heartedly for general users. how condescending.....
shiv kumar
----- Original Message ----- From: "Parul.Mathur" Parul.Mathur@rsystems.com To: linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in Sent: January 29, 2004 4:32 PM Subject: [ILUG-BOM] RE: introducing myself
----- Shiv Kumaar,91-22-28906693, 9820320927 (mobile)" journoshiv@yahoo.co.in wrote on Wed, 28 Jan 2004 -----
I had the opportunity to use this OS for the first time at the World Social Forum's Media Centre recently. I am no techie though I am interested in alternatives to proprietory software.
Hi Shiv Kumaar,
It would be really interesting to hear about your experience with GNU/Linux and other Open Source Software, especially since you are a first-time, non-technical user. Did you feel lost when using your computer? Were you able to navigate around the desktop with ease and get your work done without too much hassle? Did you have to ask for help often? What were the tasks that you wanted to do with your computer?
I just want to know how much easier it has become over the years for a total newbie to accept a GNU/Linux desktop, as opposed to the familiar Microsoft one.
-Parul Mathur
On Fri, 30 Jan 2004, Maz Kamran wrote:
~ Try out Mandrake Linux. It installs easily....and very easy on the user.
I am a big fan of Mandrake myself too, but have been getting very good reviews of Lindows lately from some friends. Its especially good for newbies, plus since its debian underneath, it can satisfy any users needs.
Getting CDs may be difficult, but if someone really wants, can deposit a 100 rupee to my ICICI ATM account, and I will courier the CD. Drop me a mail if interested.
I am a big fan of Mandrake myself too, but have been getting very good reviews of Lindows lately from some friends. Its especially good for newbies, plus since its debian underneath, it can satisfy any users needs.
But from this article, I guess Lindows would be a bad choice.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/56/33226.html
The fact it's pretty insecure, like windows, does not give a good feel factor.
Rishi
----- Original Message ----- From: "Rishi Gangoly" rishi@theargoncompany.com To: "GNU/Linux Users Group, Mumbai, India" linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 1:17 AM Subject: Re: [ILUG-BOM] Friendly Linux [COMMERCIAL]
I am a big fan of Mandrake myself too, but have been getting very good reviews of Lindows lately from some friends. Its especially good for newbies, plus since its debian underneath, it can satisfy any users
needs.
But from this article, I guess Lindows would be a bad choice.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/56/33226.html
The fact it's pretty insecure, like windows, does not give a good feel
factor.
I read the article, but do not find any reference to Lindows at all. How did you arrive at this conclusion ???
Regards Saswata
On Saturday 31 Jan 2004 7:20 am, Saswata Banerjee & Associates wrote:
But from this article, I guess Lindows would be a bad choice.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/56/33226.html
The fact it's pretty insecure, like windows, does not give a good feel factor.
I read the article, but do not find any reference to Lindows at all. How did you arrive at this conclusion ???
Not sure why you were not able to see this part of the article. Try doing a text search on the word 'Lindows' .... I've copied and pasted the text for your ref. However, it may be feel out of context...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some caveats
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.
http://www.phatvibez.net/reviews.php?ID=lindows4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regards
Rishi
On Sat, 31 Jan 2004, Rishi Gangoly wrote:
~ 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.
Couple it with the apt's ease of installing ssh/ftp servers on debian, its a disaster in making. But if administered properly, and users are created, there are plenty of usability enhancements that can benefit the users, making their transition easier, withouit exposing them to that much of risks. If I had to give it someone with dial-up connection only, I may probably.
On Saturday 31 Jan 2004 5:43 pm, Amit Upadhyay wrote:
Couple it with the apt's ease of installing ssh/ftp servers on debian, its a disaster in making. But if administered properly, and users are created, there are plenty of usability enhancements that can benefit the users, making their transition easier, withouit exposing them to that much of risks. If I had to give it someone with dial-up connection only, I may probably.
Hi Amit,
This sounds interesting, but not sure I completely understood. Are you saying that Debian's apt-get tool is insecure and we should probably start worrying about this?
If I'm out to lunch on this, do let me know. ;-)
Regards
Rishi
On Sat, 31 Jan 2004, Rishi Gangoly wrote:
~ On Saturday 31 Jan 2004 5:43 pm, Amit Upadhyay wrote:
[In reply to something on how stupid is lindows passwd less root config]
~ > Couple it with the apt's ease of installing ssh/ftp servers on debian, its ~ > a disaster in making. But if administered properly, and users are created,
~ This sounds interesting, but not sure I completely understood. Are you saying ~ that Debian's apt-get tool is insecure and we should probably start worrying ~ about this?
No. Original article compared Lindows security to win 9.x, and I am saying a standard win 9.x may be much more secure than lindows with passwordless root and sshd/ftpd running :-)
~ If I'm out to lunch on this, do let me know. ;-)
You need somebody to remind you that you are taking lunch :O, who is she you are dating dude? :-)
No. Original article compared Lindows security to win 9.x, and I am saying a standard win 9.x may be much more secure than lindows with passwordless root and sshd/ftpd running :-)
WOW. Do the Lindows team realize this? Should we inform them that they are headed toward failure? Do they have a counter argument on this issue to disagree?
Rishi
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Amit Upadhyay -
Maz Kamran -
Rishi Gangoly -
Saswata Banerjee & Associates