Browsers for those IE-only sites

[Jim Cornette]

Dotan Cohen wrote:

>  Linux doesn't just work and work. It takes maintaining

It does take attention to keeping things patched regarding security and 
programs correctly maintained.
>  (yum, configuration).

>  I plug the windows box into the cable modem and I'm online.

I started with RHL 5.2 and it found my cable modem and I had no problem 
getting on line on first install. I did mess around with minux, 
slackware and RHL 4.2, but not connecting to the Internet.
Windows 95 on the other hand was a nightmare to get on line through the 
cable modem. It did not even install the tcp/ip protocol. Getting 
windows to even configure the 3COM Ethernet card was a task in and of 
itself. Linux did kill the functionality of this Ethernet card and 
Windows did eventually start to work and configure the 3com card. During 
the W95 time frame, windows had a "great idea" to reassign interrupts 
from working hardware to "make room" for new hardware. Adding the 3COM 
card to the w95 box reassigned interrupts for my dial up modem and sound 
card, making both non functional. I had to remove the 3COM card, boot up 
windows, lock down all settings to prevent auto-reconfiguration and then 
reinstall the NIC and use the driver floppies to get w95 to recognize 
the 3com.
Estimation to get windows on line, 3 days, Linux right after install.

>The Linux box took me over two hours to get online, and that was while I was
>  searching google on the windows machine for answers!

It sounds like you have the PPOE, in my case,  DHCP works instantly. One 
thing to consider, they supply drivers for Windows and MAC, Linux needs 
to work as a community to provide information and programs to help you 
get connected. Your 2 hours is probably a lot shorter time than it would 
take me to get connected via PPOE or dial up. I avoided dial up modems 
because of the winmodems and the trouble this caused. I avoid PPOE 
vendors because I like DHCP and the lack of fighting to get on line.
Regarding Windows, I disabled Internet service for a short time and 
found out that I had to search for drivers for devices on the Internet 
quite frequently. With my extreme use of Linux vs. Windows and  DHCP on 
the cable modem, I did not have to search for drivers to get my system 
operational. The community provided drivers and a whole lot of 
applications by default. I saved time not having to search for every 
driver for every device as was my experience with windows. Of course 
there were problems with Linux during its progression, CD burning was 
sticky to not there in early days. This changed later and one less 
reason to use windows. Eventually scanners started to work, cameras 
started to work. I only have a MP3 player that still needs windows. 
(Creative Nomad)
It all depends upon what hardware that you purchase and how capable the 
people building the Linux kernel and those building distributions 
progress. Neither one wins hands down. One you pay quite a bit out for 
software that may be built to not meet your needs. The other choice, you 
contribute your time, skills or sponsor projects to keep the work 
progressing.

>I don't mind, but that may be because I like to get my hands dirty. Ety 
doesn't.
>  She wants to use a computer, not maintain a computer.

Making sure that you do not have viruses, spyware and are not being 
hacked need some attention. Why do you think they have registry 
cleaners, antivirus software. Windows users usually spend a lot of money 
just to reduce the amount of malware fro infecting their systems. Our 
corporate computers are full of such programs and it does not appear to 
be changing.

>Like going to the zoo to see elephants instead of raising one at home 
(we have a
>  dog and a rat, no elephant).

I go to the library to use windows, no dung to cleanup after seeing the 
machine.

>I happen to 1) like Linux, and 2) dislike windows. Thats why I use it.

Me too and I recall all the money that I wasted during DOS to W95 days. 
It is cheaper to run, safer to run. I find it easier to use also.

>Ety likes 1) windows and 2) me.

My wife probably wouldn't convert to Linux if I begged her. I sure am
not a good sales person, she still hasn't switched. Of course getting
her off soaps is a challenge also.

BTW - The Netscape browser (version 8) can do IE off standard code. It 
can even run windows update successfully. If you want to, you can run 
Netscape 8 and crossover office .

Jim

>
>  Dotan Cohen
>


-- 
What's a cult?  It just means not enough people to make a minority.
        -- Robert Altman