Posted on 10/12/2002 9:47:19 AM PDT by Commie Basher
I have Windows 98 and it's dreadful. Always crashing or freezing (and Norton Utilities tells me there's nothing wrong with it -- it's supposed to work that way!).
I'm thinking of getting Linux with my next computer. But I use WordStar for DOS, and Netscape Composer, and some other Windows programs. I'm wondering how easily I can run DOS and Windows applications in Linux (since I'll probably segue slowly into Linux applications).
I hear the new Mac OSX is Unix based, like Linux, but I figure I should just go straight into Linux.
Why not give Win XP a spin? It's supposed to be a lot more stable than 98.
The first day that I had my new Dell laptop, I thought that I'd take the WinXP tour... It crashed my laptop. At least they seem to have gotten rid of the Blue Screen of Death... For consistency, I still get BSODs, but now the screen's black.
I suppose that WinXP is OK for many apps, but I can't run a lot of the software I need on it. So I've got a 3 way boot system setup between WinXP Pro, Win98SE, and RedHat Linux.
Mark
It really depends on what you are going to use your computer for.
Windows 2k/XP is sufficiently stable that stability shouldn't really be a concern. That said, it is still a very badly designed OS and subject to all sorts of viruses and security problems, although it is certainly usable in this regard.
In short, if you want to do development of some type, OSX and Linux are really great choices; a lot of great development stuff comes from the Unix world and doesn't run quite right or not at all on Windows. You can run the latest, greatest business apps on all of these, Windows and OSX natively, Linux in VMWare. If you want to play games, Windows or OSX. I personally love BSD Unix and do a lot of development, so I chose MacOS X. You may have different requirements. There are very few reasons to choose Windows though, other than it runs on cheaper hardware than OSX.
That is the primary value of it, and why I use it at home. I do miss the virtual desktop feature of X though. At work we use Linux desktops everywhere and run Windows XP in VMWare. Its a great solution, and way more secure and securable than just running Windows XP natively.
Incidentally, the new OSX 10.2 release renders a very nice interface. Best looking UI I've ever seen, and they mapped certain hotkey behaviors to the way the rest of the world, UNIX and Windows alike, use them (something which actually annoyed me greatly in the first two releases).
You must be mad! I used that one all the time at work, and many others elsewhere, and WordPerfect for DOS was the best of the text-based word proessors. MultiMate was decent, but not very elegantly implemented. In my humble opinion.
Also interesting is that even though WordStar is long dead, it still influences the way we do things. A lot of control key combinations that are used today are the same as they originally were in WordStar. The legacy of a once popular app.
Or better yet, FreeBSD. ;-)
If you want to stick with Windows, try Windows 2000 Professional. You could install server if you have good memory or processor speed, but if you do not stick with Pro. Server runs a lot of services by default and your startup time will be very slow.
As far as running Windows or Dos programs on Linux, forget it. Yes, you can run some of the programs you like in Linux, but you will have to find Linux versions. DOS programs cannot run on Linux. Plus, if you are not experienced with Linux, you may find it difficult to make the transition. I have been working in IT for 7 years and have just now got around to learning Red Hat.
The Mac is a great machine, but keep in mind that almost everything in there is Mac hardware, and expensive to replace.
My advice... give Windows 2000 a whirl.
Big time dittos.
I manage about 25 desktops, and laptops, plus 4 win2k servers. I restart the servers once a month, just because MS says it's a good idea.
I have users who NEVER turn their systems off.
If your box supports Win98, there's a good chance it'll run WIN2K.
FWIW, Win2K is actually Windows NT version 5. NT4 was their first OS that was not layered on top of DOS. It was pretty stable but lacked plug-and-play and some other 98 niceties.
Win2K fully supports PnP and never breaks a sweat.
Surf here and see if your hardware is compatible.
Have you looked into Lindows?
If these are all you use, you would certainly do fine in Linux. You could use OpenOffice for word processing, and Mozilla instead of Netscape (Netscape is available also, but I prefer Mozilla as it allows you to prevent popup windows).
I'd recommend RedHat 8.0. If you have a fast internet connection, you could download the installation CDs for free, or you could buy them for $6.99 plus shipping.
I know of other IT professionals who feel the same way. I advise upgrading your machine with some more memory and going the Win 2K route.
Regards, Ivan
I my main PC at home is an iMac, my wife uses a Windows XP desktop, my webserver (in the spare bedroom) is a Windows 2000 server, I also have a Linux file/print server.
The wll server their purpose. I spend all day working on Windows 2000 servers for a large "Big Oil" Corporation. I like my iMac because it is a change of pace. Use what works best for you.
If your budget is so tight that you can't upgrade your computer to at least a used Apple (machines that will run MacOSX start about $500), then stick with Linux. Otherwise, take note of and follow, the growing trend of Linux-users switching to MacOSX.
A typical example is Byte columnist and Linux uber guru Moshe Bar, who fell in love with MacOSX as soon as he saw it and switched at the first opportunity. Read about his experience here:
http://www.byte.com/documents/s%3D7620/byt1032475416823/
Recently I went to give a speech at a conference and was startled to see all these cool Mac iBook and PowerBook laptops. It being a Linux conference, I was convinced they all had Linux running on their notebooks. But then, a young geek of maybe 19 or 20 sitting next to me in a conference room opened up his iBook.
I was immediately attracted by a very intriguing and pleasant desktop on the laptop's gorgeous screen. I looked closely and it wasn't anything I knew, certainly not Linux. The kid's wireless card worked flawlessly while Linux on my IBM Thinkpad insisted there was not enough signal where I was sitting. Then, I recognized the unmistakable dock bar of Mac OS X.
I watched in jealous disgust as the guy next to me fired up a terminal window and ssh'ed to some server and ran a pine mail session. During the conference I saw maybe 20 or 25 people running Mac OS X. They outnumbered the few people usually coming to Linux conferences with FreeBSD, NetBSD, or OpenBSD on their notebooks. That's it, I decided. I am going to get a Mac OS X laptop, too. That was a few weeks ago.
2) I'm lusting after Macs at the moment. They're stable and have a ferociously loyal user base. However, their drawback is their price and the lack of software and hardware compatibility for anything other than Apple-produced products. Still, a good choice for home users who aren't on a tight budget.
3) I love Linux and use it often at home but wouldn't recommend to, say, my parents. It's very stable, easier to use than it used to, but it's still geekware. Unless you're a techie, you may want to hold off for now and consider trying it in another 2 years or so.
Virtual PC provides support for running Windows programs on an OSX platform
WINE, WineX, and CrossOver products can provide support for many Windows programs on a Linux system.
You can probably segue into Linux apps much faster than expected. OpenOffice provides a very capable suite of tools at no cost.
Meanwhile, find a cheap (or free) copy of RedHat 8.0, and try it on your current hardware. I believe you will find it much easier to use than has been advertised by the MS gang. The knowledge that you gain will also help with any other Unix you may run across in the future.
Mrs. IR is loading RedHat 8.0 as I type this. I should be upgrading from RH 7.1 later this afternoon. Linux on x86 hardware is a great route to go, because the money you save can be applied toward a larger monitor, more RAM, etc.
I'd say if WXP BSODs you may consider going into BIOS and disabling system cache, shawdowing and make sure PnP OS is enabled. Give the machine over to XP, that's what it wants. Dell may have used proprietary hardware in your laptop if so XP won't like that. Try calling them and asking if your model is XP-compatable. It probably isn't.
You might try upgrades for XP. There are recent compatability library upgrades and now a SP. Might work. If not I'd check with the compatability of the '98 programs you want to run and replace XP with 2000Pro since the latter will probably run them now.
You really don't wan't to run '98. It doesn't have protected memory or system files so programs will step all over your OS and machine.
As for Linux, no problems right? Yeah, well that's because it's a real OS. Red Hats the one the Air Force is deploying. Best to stick with that.
Why couldn't I come up with something like this that encapsulates so much truth into so few words? Right on!
Linux is great for servers, but not too good for desktop users.
So I recommend getting a Mac. The operating system, applications and user interface are excellent. It's the Cadillac of the computer world, but it's a lot more affordable.
But I use WordStar for DOS, and Netscape Composer, and some other Windows programs. I'm wondering how easily I can run DOS and Windows applications in Linux (since I'll probably segue slowly into Linux applications).
Some good commercial and free x86 emulators are available for running DOS and Windows on Mac OS X. See macwindows.com for a list of products. I've compiled and run Bochs on Mac OS X - but didn't keep it because I don't really need to run DOS programs..
New Macs also include free AppleWorks software for word processing, spreadsheets and drawing. It can import and export files in Microsoft formats.
Most Linux programs can run on Mac OS X, so you can still access that universe of software while enjoying a good user interface. There is a project at SourceForge that has many Linux programs available for Mac.
Except that the control key was moved.
I've never heard of that. Is that the same as defragmenting?
Agreed. I'd add that one must stay compatible with Windows, and if you're already familiar with W98, then W2K Pro isn't too much of a culture shock to migrate to.
If you're interested in learning about Linux, you can install it in a dual-boot configuration, so you'll still have Windows available when you need it. I've tested both 2K and XP Pro in dual-boot with RedHat 7.3; the Grub bootloader can boot XP and 2K when it's installed in the Master Boot Record. Not sure about LILO; haven't tested it.
There may be scumware on your computer.
Go here: LavaSoftWill open in new window.
Download AdAware and Refupdate.
Install both.
Run Refupdate to update AdAware.
Run AdAware and get rid of the scumware.
What is 'scumware'? Scumware is attached to many install packages, including some commercial ones. Scumware opens pop-up windows, it steals information, it steals bandwith and CPU capacity. And it causes crashes.
I hope this helps.
It would depend how fast the processor is. If it is under 400 Mhz, it probably would be better to get a new computer running Win 2K or Win XP.
Win2K fully supports PnP and never breaks a sweat.
Actually Windows NT 3.1 was the first non-DOS based Windows operating system. Windows XP will report that it is Windows 5.1 at a DOS command lne.
Windows 98 is so bad, it isn't even compatible with Windows applications.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.