Thread: Linux as OS

This really belongs on the software board, but...

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I know very little about Linux.</font>

Check out The Linux Documentation Project for guides and how-tos on just about everything.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">it can boot VERY fast</font>

True. My main computer, after BIOS tests, takes less than 10 seconds, which includes loading networking, sound and usb drivers, etc.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">andnit's highly customizable</font>

It is as customizable as you want it to be, if you know what you are doing.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I can also infer is complicated and very expert users</font>

It's not hard to use, but it can be hard to customize if you don't know what you're doing. It's no harder than Windows, though - there's just more you can customize.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I thought maybe about doing a Linux system for my MP3car</font>

I'm also looking into it, and will probably do it if it will run my GPS software.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">winamp</font>

Not Winamp, but there are many free alternatives for Linux.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">GPS software</font>

This is the one area that I'm not sure about. While there is some basic GPS capability in Linux, you can't get spoken step-by-step directions and such. I'm looking into running Windows GPS software using Wine, which will run a lot of Windows software.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">DVD capabilities</font>

Linux can do this. See the DVD how-to on Linuxdoc.org.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">But How would I go about doing this etc.???</font>

Read some of the guides and how-tos from Linuxdoc.org

[This message has been edited by Chris Snyder (edited 02-03-2001).]

HOw much would it cost for somone to build me a linux system with DVD software, A MP3 player, MS streets and Trips (using the Wine prog), with like a simple 4 button menu ?? IS there sopmone who would do it or does it for a living?

I am willing but it won't be on a linux platform cuz i really don't think linux is cutt out for multimedia stuff....not to start an OS war, but i think Windows is the way to go. For all the stuff you just mentioned, go take a look at my setup. And yes i can build you one if u really want.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I am willing but it won't be on a linux platform cuz i really don't think linux is cutt out for multimedia stuff....not to start an OS war, but i think Windows is the way to go.</font>

Have you ever actually tried to use Linux for multimedia? I'm playing MP3's on mine right now, and DVD works quite well also.

I almost HATE to throw gasoline on a fire, but IMHO Linux is easily on-par with or better for multimedia than Windows. I play sound files, I play CD's... hell I even run 3D accelerated games under it... works like a champ! And actually, the fact that you can pare Linux down to what you NEED means you can run on lower-end hardware... or get much better performance out of higher end stuff. So, using that logic, Linux is BETTER for multimedia than Windows.

Besides, it doesn't crash as often

In answer to the thread itself... GPS is still a little "out there" for Linux because no-one's really written the software yet... but I predict it's only a matter of time now. With some programming expertise you can WRITE a GPS decoding program... pulling your current coordinates from an antenna is easy

As for the rest you want to do... Linux will do it just great. And my boot time is actually down to 8 seconds when my harddrive doesn't bind up... <sigh> guess it's time to replace that old beleagured 5 gigger

k i got to have my comment here cause i love to put my 2 cents in.

first off i have nothing against linux but windows is good to and its easier to use and works just as good as linux.

windows doenst lock up or blue screen mabey win98 or 95 but hey windows xp is in beta 2 almost and winme and win2k are pretty stable.

for boot ime ive managed to hibernate windows xp up in like 9 seconds and full boot in less than 20 so i dont see a advantage to linux there and i can play mp3s,gps,dvd plus i get 4 day uptimes and the only reason i reboot is because i install new software. So to anyone making it windows is easyer as for shuting it down u get a shutdown card wow 25 dollars thats wont breatk anyone.


theres my 2 cents.

Whoa! So ur saying that u can get ur windows to come from hibernate in 9 sec. Thats awesome,I must do it. What is Windows XP though? I do have a retail version of ME. More info sil' vous plait!

XP is just whistler.. thats the 'official' name now.

The Linux Expo was held in San Fransisco this week. There are alot of new emulators that will run Windows directly from Linux. This way, you could run your GPS and DVD off windows and boot the kernel and mp3 software very quickly