1237e11ab1cf
tech



Hello Pascal - 

Windows does include 'applications' as do most OS in 2003. 

PS> Yes, but not on the same level as Linux distributions, even
PS> Knoppix which has to fit on a single 700M CD-ROM. You don't
PS> get compilers and an office suite in a normal Windows
PS> install. 

True but the majority won't use a compiler if they can avoid it
and I personally don't like 'office suites'. 

CA>> KNOPPIX is a well polished representation of a portion of
CA>> what is available for Linux but is more comparable to an
CA>> OEM install where there would be many 'applications'
CA>> included with the main OS all installed at the same time.
CA>> :-) 

PS> At an additional cost, that is, although OEMs usually get
PS> really cheap prices for addon packages to Windows. 

At one time OEMs included working apps along with Windows to
help sell the machine. The costs were rolled into the user's
cost of purchasing the machine but seemed trivial compared to a
'no OS' machine of similar quality. 

PS> But we were only (as a joke) talking about the time it took
PS> to install Knoppix compared to Windows. If I install
PS> Windows and Office and what-not, that's going to take a lot
PS> of time. :) 

Copying all of an OS and it's apps to the hard drive should be
comparable for any recent OS. Getting all of it configured and
working satifactorilly will vary considerably. Right now, I
would wager my time to configure all of a Linux distribution
would exceed my time to configure a Windows+Apps install. Just
a guess though. 

CA>> I am the only person I know that doesn't like using XP.
CA>> Not saying there aren't any others but I don't meet them
here in Michigan. ;-) 

PS> I wouldn't touch Windows myself for several reasons,
PS> including the fact that it costs money of which I don't
PS> have enough to throw out of the window (no pun intended). 

Windows OS (full installs) are quite pricey. I was a bit
shocked when I checked recently. :-\ 

PS> Other reasons are it's security record (lots of holes and
PS> no swift response to them) 

The security problems of Windows do make you wonder if they
_ever_ tested them before releasing them into the 'wild'. I
would've expected a more thorough testing from such a major
player in the industry. They've shot themselves in the foot
bigtime. 

PS> and the fact that I can't play with the system to my
PS> heart's content. 

PS> :) 

Well ... I played with my DOS and W31 setup for over 10 years
to get it 'right'. Some of that time was the required learning
period to understand what I was trying to do and I didn't work
at it every day or even every month. I did change quite a bit
of it though and have begun the same process for W2K. Windows
can be tweaked but it's best to have image copies before you
start and keep them up-to-date as you proceed. I trashed this
W2K setup 12 times in just a few weeks trying to get it to
become stable. Now I can leave it on 24/7 for several months. 

I've had to reboot to KNOPPIX lately so can't say how long it
can survive i.e. 'uptime' right now but it's better than it was
as installed. :-) 

>
>        ,                          ,
>      o/      Charles.Angelich      \o       ,
>       __o/
>     / >          USA, MI           < \   __\__
 

--- * ATP/16bit 2.31 * 
... DOS the Ghost in the Machine! http://www.undercoverdesign.com/dosghost/