The Linux Community is Killing Linux. I Thought This Was the FAQ 945

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + C.O.L.A. Newcomer FAQ and Primer + + Edition: 11 - 1-4-03 + + Group: comp.os.linux.advocacy + + + + Copyright (c) 2002-2005 Linux Reality Team + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Welcome to comp.os.linux.advocacy, otherwise known as cola. This FAQ will try to address most of the issues regarding Linux and this group. Unlike the other FAQs, this one will try to be as realistic as possible. If you want the straight information from real people, continue reading. If you would like to be told what you want to hear, or read a bunch of misinformation that you will regret later as you find things don't work as they should, feel free to read one of the other "FAQS" in here.

OK, on to the info! ADDED NEW SECTION BELOW!

Here's a list of some frequently asked and answered question here and elsewhere that you may find useful in your quest to try linux. Read these carefully before you decide to invest time in Linux, you may find that you have better things you can do instead.

SECTION ONE - INSTALLATION --------------------------

1.1 Q: I heard linux was easy to install, is it? A: That depends on what distro you try. Most of them will have trouble detecting all your hardware. Most new hardware devices are not supported. If your lucky you might be able to find something that someone threw together on the net. But that's after spending a couple hours searching and probably won't take advantage of your hardware to it's fullest capability.

1.2 Q: Once I get it installed, then what? A: Then you get the joy of making sure everything is configured right. Plan on a minimum of two hours per device to get it to work. That's if the device is even supported.

1.3 Q: What happens if I'm in the middle of an install and the installation freezes or just stops? A: You get to reboot and start all over again. :) This happens every so often with Linux. It seems like it's buggy install routines or something. Ain't Linux grand? :)

1.4 Q: What's the deal?! I installed Linux and it took up almost 2GB hard drive space! A: The Linux distros usually install a LOT of never-used programs on the default install. You can pick and choose what you want, but good luck figuring out what programs are needed and what is useless, obscure tools. Linux usually installs stuff like 10 different editors, 12 different mail clients, and so on.

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SECTION TWO - CONFIGURATION ---------------------------

2.1 Q: What's with all these cryptic files? A: All of Linux is configured with cryptic text files. Some of the more user-friendly distros have configuration utilities that claim to do it for you, but success with these works sometimes and other times don't, so sometimes you have to edit them by hand. With Linux's spotty reliability in UI programming, you might as well get used to it.

2.2 Q: What is killall, HUP, ls, cat, rm, which, etc and why are these programs telling me to do them? Arggg!! A: These are command line programs that do things within the system. It's what makes Linux a powerful OS for those that are experienced with it. But it's also what makes it a pain in the arse to use and inefficient as a desktop system. Who wants to type all the time when they can just click?!

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SECTION THREE - APPLICATIONS ----------------------------

3.1 Q: Where can I get some programs to run on linux? A: Good question. Because Linux doesn't have a large user base on the desktop,(I think it's about 0.24%, less than 1%) companies that make software won't write their programs for Linux. There's a lot of community created programs out there, and some are fairly good, but those are few and far between. Most of the Linux software that tries to mimic it's windows counterpart is substandard. It's usually slow and buggy and early in development.

3.2 Q: I tried to install an RPM but I got 'failed dependencies', what is that? A: That's Linux's version of DLL hell. Different versions and distros use different libraries. So unlike windows where programs will run on many different versions, Linux programs will fail if they're not made for your specific version.

3.3 Q: What is compiling and configure, make and make install? And what is a makefile? A: This is a way to build the programs from the source code under Linux. When the question above fails, you can always build it yourself. The advantage is that it works most of the time. The disadvantage is that it takes forever to build large programs, you need to know some cryptic commands and you have to do all this on a command line. Unlike Windows where you just double click and you are done.

3.4 Q: Can I go to my local store to buy any Linux applications? A: Not really. You can buy Linux itself at various stores. But not too many commercial companies make applications for Linux, there's no profit in it with 0.24% of the desktop market.

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SECTION FOUR - SPEED ISSUES ---------------------------

4.1 Q: Why is Linux so slow? A: Linux is built on the technology of the old UNIX OS's. Even the graphical user interface of Linux is a separate program that is the same type they used back in the older UNIX days. So working with old technology will give you the old technology responsiveness. Also, a lot of the GUI's, although nice to look at, are still not mature. Using them is slow and sluggish compared to, say, Windows.

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SECTION FIVE - CONSISTENCY --------------------------

5.1 Q: Why are the windows different looking? A: Since Linux isn't built by one company, group or have any governing body, programs and interfaces can vary dramatically. You can have everything from the nice look of KDE, to something as ugly as TK and everything in between. You'll usually see some varying UI stile in Linux.

5.2 Q: Should I buy Suse Linux? A: No. They make it difficult to get it for free. All the other distros provide free ISO's to download. Suse is the only one that doesn't provide them but instead has a FTP install that's hard to get to work. Why should they make it easy? The more people that can't get the download to work have to spend $80 or more for the boxed set. And on top of all that although it might have a few more user friendly tools, it's still the same base Linux system that's in development and that all the other distros are using. In other words, they're all on about the same level of struggling to catch up to Windows, so you're not going to find any earth-shattering features in one compared to another.

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SECTION SIX - LINUX COMMUNITY -----------------------------

6.1 Q: What is RTFM?! A: This is an acronym for Read The Fuc*ing Manual. This is a common answer you'll get when asking for help in the Linux community. It's meant to make you feel inadequate while boating the Linux persons ego at the same time. See, Linux enthusiasts consider themselves to be guru like and above helping out the simple newbie. You have to earn your respect by spending countless hours becoming a kernel hacker before you're worthy of getting any help.

6.2 Q: Why does everyone think they are better than you when using Linux? A: Same as above. When people use Linux they believe since it takes a little more knowledge to use Linux, they are technically superior, and see themselves as an elite group that doesn't have time for the pathetic little Windows people.

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SECTION SEVEN - LINUX ADVOCACY, HELPING OR HURTING? ---------------------------------------------------

7.1 Q: Everyone in here says linux is perfect, why would they say that if it isn't? A: We really don't know. Maybe they've used Linux so long that they've gotten used to it. Some of these people haven't used Windows in years so they are comparing Linux to the last windows they used, maybe Windows 3.1 or 95.

7.2 Q: Why does everyone call you a troll when you ask something that questions linux? A: Most of the people here in C.O.L.A. think of Linux more like a religion than an OS. They mostly are MS haters and feel that Linux is the greatest thing to ever hit computing. So when someone questions Linux it's like questioning their belief system. Instead of looking at it with some logic and reasonable judgment, they will lash out at you can't claim your are a troll or a paid MS supporter.

A: Fairly similar to above, Linux advocates can not argue their point rationally. So to make it look like you are under them or you are not worth it, and at the same time find an easy way out

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SECTION EIGHT - LINUX EVANGELISM, ZEALOTS ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------

8.1 Q: There are some people that call this FAQ lies and seem to treat it like it's a conspiracy against them, and post all sorts of links to anti-microsoft articles. Why are they reacting so strongly? A: The people that are reacting so strongly are most likely the Linux extremists that believe everything negitive that is said about Linux comes from Microsoft. Like many cult-like groups, the people that belong to them don't have the ability to see things rationally or outside of their view. If someone replies to the FAQ, or anything questioning a non-favorable view on Linux, that seems a little "over the edge", do a google search on the person then decide for yourself if the person is credible or not.

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