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Migrating from Windows to GNU/Linux etc.
Monday, April 04 2005 @ 10:48 AM EDT

A reader in Sweden was the first to tell me that Tom's Hardware is running an article on migrating from Windows to GNU/Linux. Here's the Table of Contents for the article:

Introduction
Installation
Desktop Usability
Migrating Documents
Internet Browsing
Installing Applications
Email
Instant Messaging
Audio Playback
Video Playback
Graphical Programs
Video Editing
Special Effects And Rendering
Games
Conclusion

There are a lot of training videos embedded in the article, so those of you thinking of trying to switch can have a helping hand. I get email about how to do this all the time, so this is for you guys. But here's the part that makes me happy: they used a screenshot of Groklaw to illustrate what it looks like when you switch to Mozilla. Moments like this are part of what keeps me doing Groklaw. Among other satisfactions.

There are a few other quick items you might like to know about too.

First, there is an article in Wired about some high school kids who beat MIT students in a bot contest. Perhaps you saw the public television documentary about the MIT bot competition? If so, you probably felt the way I did, that I'd so love to participate in something like that. This was a competition to build an underwater robot, and the reason I'm mentioning it, aside from my interest, is the ending: the kids who won the competition -- who arrived as children in the US as undocumented immigrants from Mexico -- are not eligible for college scholarships, so not one of them has been able to continue their education. It's seems like such a shame for brain power like that to be stunted, that I decided to put the story here on Groklaw. Maybe someone will read it and want to help them. I know I would, if I had it in the power of my hand. I note others feel the same way. Here's a link to the La Vida Robot Scholarship Fund, set up by the boys' high school.

Also, there is a cute story about a college kid who stared Microsoft down in what may be the most stupid lawsuit ever.

Well. SCO has set the bar pretty high, but this is definitely top ten.

And here's an intriguing study, which concludes that venture capital actually thwarts innovation. And according to this article, only 24% of the 136,000 Windows XP PCs in 251 US companies have upgraded to Microsoft's Service Pack 2 (SP2), a survey by AssetMetrix Research Labs found. Somebody doesn't trust somebody? The article says they only have until April 12 to decide what to do, because that is when Microsoft turns on Automatic Update service to deliver SP2 to XP computers. Ah, the joys of using Microsoft.

Finally, there is an OSRM/Open Bar seminar featuring Heather Meeker, an attorney at Greenberg Traurig, (who has an article on SCO here), on May 3 at the Hilton in Santa Clara, CA. It's on software liability, of course, but I notice in the afternoon there is a topic, "How Can Engineers and Lawyers Communicate More Effectively". If any of you attend, I'd very much like to know what they say about that. Here's what I say: come to Groklaw. We've been communicating together just fine for almost two years now. It's a real need, though, in my opinion, because both groups need to know enough about the other's area of expertise to be able to plan effectively together. It's a crying shame you can't do your work without knowing a lawyer or something about the law, but that's the way it is for now. And if lawyers were smart enough to ask engineers before they filed lawsuits, a lot of inane, wasteful litigation could be prevented.


  


Migrating from Windows to GNU/Linux etc. | 143 comments | Create New Account
Comments belong to whoever posts them. Please notify us of inappropriate comments.
Microsoft-specific sites still a problem
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 11:51 AM EDT
I run a real estate company and the biggest problem with switching to Linux has
been the local MLS board's use of a contractor which provides their net access
having a site which requires IE to function. Since it extensively uses Active-X
and other Microsoft extensions it will not run on any other browser (even IE
running on Wine!). Not being able to access the MLS is a show-stopper.

I have put in the request to find an alternate web services provider, and they
are switching due to other issues, but they say compatibility with other
browsers is very low on the priority list due to some very serious data
ownership issues that are their primary concern.

I would switch over in a heartbeat. Viruses and adware/spyware are a
maintenance nightmare in offices full of people who will not practice any safe
computing.

I already have everyone using Open Office and they love it. I told them it is a
new version of "Office" and they just shrugged and used it happily. I
would simply use the same approach with Linux, perhaps even using something very
familiar looking like Xandros.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Corrections here, please...
Authored by: jbeadle on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 11:54 AM EDT
So PJ can find them easily.

Thanks,
-jb

[ Reply to This | # ]

OT, other links here, please…
Authored by: jbeadle on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 11:56 AM EDT
Please make links clickable, like so:

<a href="http://www.example.com">your words here</a>

And use post mode = HTML formatted.

Thanks,
-jb

[ Reply to This | # ]

april 12, 2004
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 12:07 PM EDT
isn't it a bit late for this article to mention? :-))




No, you're right, it's never too late to switch


cb

[ Reply to This | # ]

Not upgrading to Windows XP SP2
Authored by: Thomas Frayne on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 01:06 PM EDT
My Windows XP failed several months ago, and it looks like I'll have to
re-install to get it to boot again. Since the install CD also failed, I paid
Microsoft to send me another, and it has SP2 on it.

However, the CD has just sat there for months, since I haven't felt it worth the
bother to install. I have three machines using FC1, FC3, and Suse 9.2.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Dummies Books
Authored by: edal on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 01:19 PM EDT
I know that they have their critics but whenever I migrate a friend from Windows
to Linux I always leave a copy of SuSE Linux For Dummies. Not only do they get a
free copy of the software but they also get a book written in a friendly style
for users, not technicians.

I like the Dummies books and whenever I need to pickup a new subject quickly a
Dummies book is normally my first port of call. No connection with them, just a
satisfied customer.

Ed Almos
Budapest, Hungary

[ Reply to This | # ]

Student beats up Microsoft lawyers
Authored by: geoff lane on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 01:57 PM EDT
If you do nothing else today read the story about the student who beat the Microsoft lawyers (PJ flags it in the article.)

I propose that a new award be created (The Grokkie) and awarded to David Zamos for outstanding bravery in the face of legal incompetence :-)

---
Not using the GPL is not a character flaw.

[ Reply to This | # ]

PJ - your desire is laudable, but you solution...
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 01:57 PM EDT
strikes me as contrary to the Groklaw philosophy. Rather than help the 'illegal
aliens', the thrust should be to make them legal (student visas, green cards,
whatever). That way the help you suggest would then be available to them.
Helping some gifted kids only perpetuates the problem of less desirables seeking
(and getting) help.

However, I have an idea that should make everyone happy. Perhaps Bill Gates
could 'help' these kids; heaven knows he is not unfamiliar with illegal
activity.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Migrating: Installing applications
Authored by: Thomas Frayne on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 01:59 PM EDT
The Tom's Hardware section on Installing applications relies too much on
compiling from source. Major distributions like Fedora and Suse, now support
excellent graphical program managers like Synaptic and Yast. Even the command
line Apt is fairly easy to use.

The only trouble I have had is finding and configuring the repositories that can
be accessed by the program managers to install supplementary applications.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Compliments for David Zamos Go Here
Authored by: sjgibbs on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 02:09 PM EDT
Would everybody who thinks David Zamos is awesome please file your applause
neatly below.

According to the article he can't talk about the case anymore but we can at
least transmit some good words in his direction.

SJG

[ Reply to This | # ]

Ask engineers
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 03:02 PM EDT
That's not only a good idea for lawyers, it also apply
very much to both upper and lower management types too. It
could prevent lots of inane and wasteful decisions taken
in the world of coporations and governments. That's one of
the real problems in the civilized world, the
decisionsmaking people, MBA's, lawyers and others with no
real knowledge of the tasks at hand don't ask the people
who got it before they make their decisions.



[ Reply to This | # ]

Wrong angle on the issue
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 03:19 PM EDT
My view is the problem is that they are not within the
law. If the rest of us has to be within the law it has to
apply for them too. It sets a bad precedence.

So if we don't want to waste illegal alien talent, we
better come up with a solution first. And it has to start
with how these aliens can become legal.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Venture Capital and Innovators
Authored by: Tsu Dho Nimh on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 03:25 PM EDT
I'm not surprised. What the VC funds are looking for are
"innovations" they can understand, that can be profitable in a couple
of years, and that they can explain to their investors with words of two
syllables maximum. They would rather fund a "Me too" startup than a
"oh wow!" startup.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Fed Govt rules on eDocument destruction
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 04:27 PM EDT
See this story on slashdot.
"The Federal Advisory Committee on Civil Procedure is evaluating a series
of 'e-discovery' rules that will change the way litigation handles
electronically stored information for the federal courts. Included in this is
proposed Fed. R. Civ. P. 37 which would exempt parties from sanctions for
electronic evidence destroyed in a 'routine operation of the party's electronic
information system.' Microsoft and other technology heavy-hitters have strongly
backed this safe harbor because it judicially validates electronic document
retention policies (perhaps the most effective Orwellian misnomer for outright
document destruction). If you thought it was hard to get incriminating documents
from the tech industry now, think about what this rule will do to a plaintiff's
chances. You can get the proposed rule
here(http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/proposed0205.html) (when their site works)
and read what Microsoft and Intel have to say about it
here(http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/e-discovery.html). You can also read my law
school thesis on the topic( http://www.nerv.ms/draft/)(still only in
draft)."

[ Reply to This | # ]

Deep diving robots
Authored by: FrankH on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 04:36 PM EDT
In view of MIT's liking for deep diving I'm surprised that they didn't show more
expertise in this area. :-)

[ Reply to This | # ]

Not for the Average Person
Authored by: Greebo on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 04:41 PM EDT
I've got a dual boot system running windows xp and suse 9.2 pro 64 bit.

Suse has never been 100% - It won't see my USB ADSL Modem, sound card, or 1 of the 2 hard drives i've got installed - and to be honest when i'm told that i have to edit system files by hand to get things working that's the point where i give up.

I've tried to fix these problems, but it's beyond me, and i have a small idea of what i'm doing, but i'm no unix programmer.

Bottom line for me is that Linux is nice, and as much as i would wish it could replace windows it just isn't up to the job at the moment.

However, i really, really hope it gets there some day. I'd switch in a heart beat if it was just a little easier to solve problems.

Greebo.

---
PJ has permission to use my posts for commercial use.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Music download
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, April 04 2005 @ 04:59 PM EDT
What do Linux users do for legal music download? It's really either WMA or
iTunes formats, both with some form of DRM. MP3 does not cut it as it's usually
old or obscure material. Thanks

[ Reply to This | # ]

Migrating from Windows to GNU/Linux etc.
Authored by: iraskygazer on Tuesday, April 05 2005 @ 09:05 AM EDT
The story about David Zamos proves that Microsoft is an uncaring 'Monopoly'. It
also proves that there are many lawyers who will act as mercenaries without
concern for use of common sense. This case is truely troubling because of the
gag order David had to sign to keep MS off his back.
The case is one more example of Microsoft's deceptive and criminal business
practices. But the company will be able to continue with the status quo due to
the gag order.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Is there ANYONE who is migrating from Linux to windows?
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, April 05 2005 @ 08:19 PM EDT
You know, there is lots of news lately about how this
company, or that country are migrating to Linux. I've yet
to see an article that says that anyone has used Linux for
a year or two, and then migrated to windows.

[ Reply to This | # ]

Migrating from Windows to GNU/Linux etc.
Authored by: blues_man_8 on Wednesday, April 06 2005 @ 06:28 AM EDT
can anyone tell me about Dyne:bolic. I am looking to do a lot with recording and
editing. A friend has suggested that this distro might make me a happy
penguin.penguin

[ Reply to This | # ]

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