Two Posts, One Day
Yes, I do have a little spare time to blog: so I am going to use it!
I recently installed OpenSuse 11 on my machine and I have to say it was a wild ride! Linux has really come a long way in the past year, last year it really wasn't a viable option for me (individually), but now I am so impressed.
Install
The new OpenSuse 11 installer has an image-based installation system. That is, the guys on the team create generic installations and put them on the DVD. The installer then copies those onto your hard disk, and then simply applies any actions that are needed to turn it into what you have selected (installing packages, uninstalling packages, etc.), it is fast.
Drivers
One of the hall-marks of Windows has always been its drivers, back in the day you could install Windows and most of your hardware would just work. This isn't the case any more, but with Linux it all really just did work! Even with the putrid home-grown Toshiba hardware standards (I really have a sour taste in my mouth in regards to Toshiba). It even told me that my latop battery was broken and that I should replace it: something Windows has never done.
This really is a turn around of huge proportions: well done to the Linux community!
Compiz
OpenSuse 11 has the all-new Compiz Fusion, and I must say it is really sweet. Most would say that it is useless, and I did have Aero turned off in my Vista days: but Compiz really does add value to usability. I do a lot of work in virtual machines and this usually meant that I would need a secondary monitor to put the VM on, but not with Compiz, I simply split my desk into four parts and dedicated one to the VM. "But you get utilities in Windows to do this," I hear you say. Ah, yes, it does, but not in the way that Compiz does. By using the Expo plugin I could show all my virtual desktops in an easy to navigate fashion just by flicking my mouse to the lower right hand corner of the screen. It actually made me feel like a rock star.
Aero only looks cool, Compiz looks cool and does useful stuff.
Problems
Linux is made up of a bunch of teams. Certain things were a lot better than their equivalent in Windows (such as Gnome, which is a lot more user friendly than, erm, explorer). Other things were not so much. OpenOffice, while highly functional, really lacks the polish of Office. Although I am not asking for the Office 2007 UI and ribbons; dockable windows sure would be nice! Don't get me wrong, in terms of functionality it kicks Office's proverbial, but it definitely is not as much fun to use (in fact, it annoyed me somewhat).
Why did I uninstall it?
I work for a Microsoft partner.
I am now sitting with Windows Server 2008 on my host (and is in my opinion what Vista should have been) and I am generally pleased with it: but it just ain't Linux. I have spent the last 10 years saying that Linux will never get market in the end-user market (and more or less also stating that it sucks). I must now say that it kicks Windows ass six ways from Sunday. I wish I could use it.
posted @ Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:09 PM