Re: kernel sound

[Al Hudson <nospam [at] york.ac.uk>]

On Wed, 8 Dec 1999, Bernard Harper wrote:

> Sorry folks, but Sam's right!
>
> I have tried RH 6.1. Wiv bad results. I have a 13.6gb hd that was a bitch
> configuring. Sorry about that,but it was.....

A *hard drive*?? Configure how? I presume you mean partition - linux
certainly doesn't need to be told what hd you have..

> I'm sorry, the truth is that any newcomer that tries Linux at the moment may
> be put off because they are expecting a similar installation setup to
> MSWindows.
> Having to partition the drive in the first place is to encourage disaster
> among the unknowing.

On the first point; linux in it's various OpenLinux-type guises is
generally accepted to be easier to install than Windows on most modern
machines, esp. compared to WinNT. And you don't need to know about
partitioning; these days a distro will have various 'types' to select from
which will do the job for you.

> You what!!!
> Partition.
> Na!

You don't necessarily need *any* partitions to run linux. We do it because
it's a better system; knowledgable Win types also do it ;)

> Having to know about compiling the kernel or C+ just to get the sound card
> working or whatever is no advert for Linux.

It wouldn't be if it's true: I still maintain the reason people think this
is necessary is the lack of documentation when people get cover cds or gpl
cds.

> Getting ANY Linux version and not being able to set it up first time is no
> good and will put any beginner off.

I wouldn't expect a beginner to be able to install Slackware. That's why
we have different distros: some cater for beginners (witness OpenLinux),
some cater for sysadmins (Slack), most are somewhere inbetween.

A beginner couldn't pick up any Windows version and install that without
hassle: I've heard plenty of 'my NT box doesn't work' stories.

> As for me, well, I will be sticking to Windowz until I can setup Linux first
> time and get what I need.

I personally don't feel RH is designed for beginners; certainly not
compared to some of the other distros. And I also don't believe that you
should expect Linux to set itself up completely correctly when no other
operating system is able to do this either. I think Linux gets a hard time
about this for no good reason often. ..

Cheers,

Alex.

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