[at-l] Off topic computer update

[cleek@cleekhouse.com (Billie H. Cleek)]

Hey, let's start a flame war, eh?

On Sat, 14 Apr 2001, Ronald Moak wrote:

> 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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