OT: Windows is too expensive

[parabolize]

Phoenix-D said:
Games is one issue, but Linux is simply a pain in the ***. The UI works all right, but it doesn't cover most essential functions, leaving only the command prompt and manually editing control files. Not a good thing. I shouldn't have to do that for basic tasks like installing drivers on a fresh machine..

Everything Geo did can be done from one GUI or another that is installed by default. The command line is a very useful tool in getting people to do exactly what you want because the commands can be copy/pasted.
You should also keep in mind windows often looks to the manufacturer for drivers. If Trendnet would have made a driver for Linux and not Windows anyone using Windows with that hardware would be out of luck.

[geoschmo]

parabolize said:
Everything Geo did can be done from one GUI or another that is installed by default.

To be completely honest though I tried doing it using the GUI tools and it didn't work. Whether that is Linux's fault or my own I can't say, but it certainly wasn't as plug-and-play easy as XP.

Of course XP wouldn't be that plug-and-play easy if the hardware manufacturer hadn't spent the time and money to write a basically self-installing driver and included it in a CD with the adapter. And Linux could be if they would do the same for it. It's not an advantage of the OS per se as much as it is the fact that the hardware mfg did all the work for me.

[Phoenix-D]

Everything Geo did can be done from one GUI or another that is installed by default. The command line is a very useful tool in getting people to do exactly what you want because the commands can be copy/pasted.
You should also keep in mind windows often looks to the manufacturer for drivers. If Trendnet would have made a driver for Linux and not Windows anyone using Windows with that hardware would be out of luck.

Not talking about this specific case, just in general. Take the NVIDIA drivers, for example. Windows is download, double click. Linux is a hell of a lot more complicated.

[parabolize]

Linux:
System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
Settings -> Repositories
Select Proprietary drivers for devices (restricted) and close the Repositories menu
Edit Menu -> Reload Package Information
Edit Menu -> Mark All Upgrades... -> Default Upgrade
Edit Menu -> Apply Marked Changes
Edit Menu -> Search nvidia
Select nvidia-glx, nvidia-kernel-common
Package Menu -> Mark for Installation
Edit Menu -> Apply Marked Changes
Exit Synaptic
Run gksudo nvidia-xconfig from the run dialog (alt-F2) or terminal (Applications -> Accesories -> Terminal)
Restart Gnome (Press 'Ctrl + Alt + Backspace' or sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart from a terminal or System -> Quit -> Reboot)

Windows:
Open nvidia.com in your browser.
Goto DOWNLOAD DRIVERS.
Select Graphics Driver -> Hope you know what your hardware is -> Windows XP/2000 -> Go!
Select a mirror and download to somewhere
Turn off AV (God knows where to do this its different for each one).
Start Menu > Windows Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and search for "NVIDIA Windows Display Drivers" or "NVIDIA Display Drivers" and select remove.
Select the driver if you remembered where you downloaded it you impulsive fool.
Walk though the install (select next and accept a bunch of times).
Start -> Turn Off Computer -> Restart
Turn on AV.

I don't see one being much easier then the other.