[at-l] Off topic computer update

[ronm@fallingwater.com (Ronald Moak)]

Kahley > And I've heard that while ME has some advantages, that is also
pretty glitchy.  I have soooo had it with glitchy.  Would i be better off
with 98 or 98NE <

Billie >> I've heard many good things about Windows 2000 Professional.
However, I
gotta recommend Linux. The GUI in Linux has come a long long way from just
a couple of years ago. It's pretty intuitive these days, though it can be
a bit technical sometimes. However, getting a good distro like Storm or
Mandrake helps a lot. I rarely run Windows at home these days. Buy a book,
learn about Linux and its desktop environments (KDE and Gnome are the
primary desktop environments), and learn what it's like to actually run a
system that is truly stable. Here's a hint: The linux community often
refers to Windows as Winbloze. ;-) <<

Unless you're really comfortable stripping your computer down to the it's
components, assembling it blindfold, and know your operating systems well,
STAY AWAY FROM LINUX. While it is heavily hyped, it is still years away from
being an OS for the masses. 

Don't get me wrong it's a great OS for the right apps and uses, but a home
OS it's not. Unless your job description is computer professional. 

I've been running Linux & BSD servers on and off since '95. While they have
been getting steadily better they aren't there yet. Installing patches and
upgrades is a nightmare, often requiring a full reinstall. The applications
don't exist yet and the support is almost non-existent. What support there
is sketchy at best. The makers of Linux still like to move major OS and
configuration files around with each release of the OS without bothering to
update the documentation.

If you interested in seeing some Linux doc's you can check out my Linux
document site. It contains over 18,000 pages and 256 megs of docs on Linux
and Pearl. http://www.fallingwater.com/linux 

Window's 2000 is good for people who hate blue screens but can be a bit
overwhelming. Windows XP which will be out in a few months will be the home
version of 2000. Win98 and WinME are in effect dead with the release of XP. 





Ron
--------------------------------------
Ron Moak
Black Diamond Software
www.blackdiamond.com
Phone: 503-430-2303

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Billie H. Cleek [mailto:cleek@cleekhouse.com] 
Sent:	Saturday, April 14, 2001 8:59 AM
To:	kahley7
Cc:	at-l
Subject:	Re: [at-l] Off topic computer update

> Well I have swapped cables, reloaded drivers and tried the printer on
another
> computer with no progress.
> My question now seems to be is there something that could go wrong with a
> computer that could "toast"  scanners and printers?  Two printers and a
scanner
> in four months is making me suspicious.   Or maybe I just want an excuse
to buy a new puter <g>
> Seriously.....can a glitchey computer destroy peripherals?

While this is possible, it's not very likely. But, in good form, I'd use
it as an excuse to buy a new computer, too. ;-)
 
> And I could use some guidance if I shop for a new computer.  This time I
want to buy smart.
> I want something that can handle a lot of graphics programs so I can get
back to AT-O
> without crashing every hour.  What features would i look for in a system
to allow such
> use?  I understand processor speed and HD size and RAM but get lost in
buses except 
> I think that is the weak link or the narrow place in the pipeline to
speed?

There is indeed a bottleneck in bus speed. But don't worry about that too
much. Although you'd do fine to get a top of the line system these days,
it's really not necessary anymore, because most systems have so much power
that your typical end user (that's 99% of people that own a
computer) simply will never use all the computing power of one of the new
machines. 

One great piece of advice: STAY AWAY FROM Pentium IV. The Pentium IV seems
to be a crappy little piece of hardware that was poorly designed, is full
of problems, and in a lot of cases actually slows down the computing speed
when compared to a PIII or an Athalon. 

> Do any of the manufacturers really offer good tech support or would I be
better off
> going with one of those custom jobbies that are sooooo cheap on ebay?

Supposedly Gateway is great for support, but every single person I know
that has a gateway has had horrible problems with it, has HAD to deal with
tech support. Personally, I'd rather get a great computer from a company
with crappy support than get a crappy computer from a company with great
support. If you're set on buying from a big corp I'd go with Dell. If
you're not then I'd go to a local computer shop, and have them build me
one. The price is about the same, you support your local economy that way,
and if you have any problems the computer a real, live person is just a
short drive away.

> And if a puter doesn't come with a zip drive can one be installed?  Or
would it be
> better to get a CD writer and use that for back up?.

Of course it can be installed. If it's an internal then you just need an
expansion bay, if it's external then you just need a parallel port (or
SCSI if you go that route). As far as using a zip vs CD-R(W) for backup,
it's a matter of personal taste. 

> Basically, I'm asking what computer or specs you would
> look for if your main objective was web work and other graphics intensive
applications.
> Not into gaming.

If you're into graphics intensive stuff and doing actual web WORK (as
opposed to play) then a Mac might be the way to go. I'm actually thinking
of buying two computers the next time I shop for a computer. I really want
to check out Mac's OS X, and I want a laptop. Yeah, I need 4
computers. God, I'm such a geek. 

> Thanks in advance and if you have more to tell me than you care to type, I
will be glad
> to call you on my dime.

Isn't e-mail a lot cheaper? ;-)
 
Cleek

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