derick.in: Windows 7 RC1 Vs. Linux Mint 7 RC – Review
CoolGoose
· 7 months ago
A normal user shouldn't know more than their home folder (on linux). The package manager is enough for installing applications.
Derick Thomas
· 7 months ago
@CoolGoose, True. Only if you install some applications manually, then only you need to be aware of the whereabouts of other folders. But for a normal user, only documents and media files are important.
Ron Brown
· 7 months ago
I am a long time Windows user having used it since its conception. Prior to that it was DOS and at one time OS/2. It tried Win 7 RC1 and LinuxMint 7 RC1. I didn't notice that much of a speed difference except in boot up, but I'm running 64-bit Windows and Mint hasn't released that version yet.
As a newbee in Linux I have some observations. Linux has made some giant strides since its early days. Mint is very impressive and, as you mentioned, it is much more complete out of the box. Overall, however, it doesn't feel as polished and usable as Windows to me. I also find constantly having to locate the correct config file to edit to make simple changes to be quite annoying. For instance, I wanted to change the workgroup name the other day... a simple task in Windows. I Googled it and thought I had the answer, but the soluction was to get and install an app. I did that and my system would no longer boot. I found later that it was merely an easy edit of a config file yet the damage had been done. So all I could see to do was delete the partition and start over.
I believe this type of experience is what is blocking a more widespread adoption of Linux. Yes the various distros have grabbged market share from MS (not a bad thing!), but I believe much deeper inroads could be made if these areas were addressed. Nonetheless, those who have dedicated themselves to bettering Linux deserve cudos for a job well done!
Derick Thomas
· 7 months ago
@Ron,
You are right. People are very scared when they hear the name linux. One of the major issue is that what you have mentioned - you need to search for a lot of things. Although many distros are trying to change this scenario. Some of the changes can be done only by editing files.
I wish someone who is actually developing linux GUI see this ;)
Marc
· 6 months ago
Derick, More than the need to search of a lot things, I would say that the biggest issue is the huge time it takes to solve your install/config change/drivers issue problems. Ppl would probably be ok if a 2 min. google search + 1 min. menu or command line would fix their issue ...
Dayne
· 6 months ago
Mint 7 is a brilliant piece of work indeed, but Linux just isn't there yet. I'm a Linux fan and when Windows 7 RC and Mint linux 7 cane out I tri-booted them with kubunt 9.04. I'm usually a kubuntu fan but to be honest 9.04 has caused me nothing but problems so on to the other two.
I was impressed with Windows 7. I liked the looks and most of the problems can be put down to it being in RC stages. Things like 3rd party software not working for example. It failed to detect my sound card but again I think the few problems I had can be sorted.
Since installation though my time has been on the excellent mint 7. Its easy to use and fast, but its still not there. I'm not great at some terminal tasks and have had to google a few times to sort things out, I have had a few problems with my screen resolution (it still wont rise as high as it will on windows. I can fix it in the terminal but takes too long to do every time I turn the computer on) and theres the obvious differences in linux like the organization of the file system.
Overall I much prefer mint to windows, but when my technophobic friend the other day asked if he should try 'this linux thing' I had to advise him not to. not yet.
All Comments
The package manager is enough for installing applications.
True. Only if you install some applications manually, then only you need to be aware of the whereabouts of other folders. But for a normal user, only documents and media files are important.
As a newbee in Linux I have some observations. Linux has made some giant strides since its early days. Mint is very impressive and, as you mentioned, it is much more complete out of the box. Overall, however, it doesn't feel as polished and usable as Windows to me. I also find constantly having to locate the correct config file to edit to make simple changes to be quite annoying. For instance, I wanted to change the workgroup name the other day... a simple task in Windows. I Googled it and thought I had the answer, but the soluction was to get and install an app. I did that and my system would no longer boot. I found later that it was merely an easy edit of a config file yet the damage had been done. So all I could see to do was delete the partition and start over.
I believe this type of experience is what is blocking a more widespread adoption of Linux. Yes the various distros have grabbged market share from MS (not a bad thing!), but I believe much deeper inroads could be made if these areas were addressed. Nonetheless, those who have dedicated themselves to bettering Linux deserve cudos for a job well done!
You are right. People are very scared when they hear the name linux. One of the major issue is that what you have mentioned - you need to search for a lot of things. Although many distros are trying to change this scenario. Some of the changes can be done only by editing files.
I wish someone who is actually developing linux GUI see this ;)
More than the need to search of a lot things, I would say that the biggest issue is the huge time it takes to solve your install/config change/drivers issue problems.
Ppl would probably be ok if a 2 min. google search + 1 min. menu or command line would fix their issue ...
I was impressed with Windows 7. I liked the looks and most of the problems can be put down to it being in RC stages. Things like 3rd party software not working for example. It failed to detect my sound card but again I think the few problems I had can be sorted.
Since installation though my time has been on the excellent mint 7. Its easy to use and fast, but its still not there. I'm not great at some terminal tasks and have had to google a few times to sort things out, I have had a few problems with my screen resolution (it still wont rise as high as it will on windows. I can fix it in the terminal but takes too long to do every time I turn the computer on) and theres the obvious differences in linux like the organization of the file system.
Overall I much prefer mint to windows, but when my technophobic friend the other day asked if he should try 'this linux thing' I had to advise him not to. not yet.