An Interesting Article

[Guest Reimar]

Just to make it very clear: This is NOT my personell point of view! But I post this article here because of the much different point's of view from other members.

Why Microsoft must abandon Vista to save itself

Posted by Don Reisinger

While Vista was originally touted by Microsoft as the operating system savior we've all been waiting for, it has turned out to be one of the biggest blunders in technology. With a host of issues that are inexcusable and features that are taken from the Mac OS X and Linux playbook, Microsoft has once again lost sight of what we really want.

As we're more than aware, Vista Ultimate comes at a premium. For an additional $160 over the Premium SKU price, Ultimate gives you a complete backup and restore option, BitLocker Drive encryption, the ever so popular Windows Fax & Scan, and the "Ultimate Extras." But what started with a promise of "Extras" by summer, quickly turned into an apology from Microsoft and the eventual release of DreamScene and Windows Hold 'Em (among others) today. And while each of the "Extras" runs just fine, Microsoft's "Extras" blunder is just another reason why the company must abandon Vista before it's too late.

The first indication that Microsoft should abandon Vista is its poor sales figures. According to a recent report titled "Windows Vista Still Underperforming in U.S. Retail" from NPD, Vista sales are significantly behind XP sales during its early days. Even worse for Redmond, some are reverting to XP, citing issues with compatibility and overall design. And if that wasn't enough, Macs continue to surge and with the impending release of Leopard, Microsoft may be in for a rough holiday season.

With each passing day, it's becoming blatantly clear that Microsoft released Vista too early and the company's continual mistakes and promises that can't be kept are further annoying the Windows faithful.

Much talk has been given to Service Pack 1 and how this update should address many of the issues users have with Vista, but I simply don't agree. Will SP1 eliminate the ridiculous Microsoft licensing schemes? Will SP1 drop the price on the higher-end versions? Will SP1 eliminate the need for users to buy a new computer just to use the faulty OS?

SP1 will do nothing but fix the holes and issues we currently know about and create even more. As we all know from the days of Windows ME and even XP, Microsoft is not the best company at finding and addressing security issues, and chances are, Vista will be no different.

One significant problem that I have with Vista is its inclusion of new DRM, specifically the company's decision to install Protected Video Path. To prevent a person from copying (or in most cases, backing up) a movie, the operating system provides process isolation and if an unverified component is in use, the operating system shuts down DRM content. For the first time on any operating system, we're not even allowed to backup our favorite movies? Come on.

I also find it interesting that Microsoft decided to take the user access control concept from Mac OS X and make it much worse. Can someone please explain to me why I need to be asked if I wanted to do something entirely innocuous like open a third-party app from a well-known software company?

Never before have I seen such an abysmal start to an operating system release. For almost a year, people have been adopting Vista and becoming incensed by how poorly it operates. Not only does it cost too much, it requires more to run than XP, there is still poor driver support, and that draconian licensing scheme is a by-product of Microsoft picking on the wrong people.

The road ahead looks dangerous for Vista and Microsoft must realize that. With Mac OS X hot on its tail, Vista is simply not capable of competing at an OS level with some of the best software around. If Microsoft continues down this path, it will be Vista that will bring the software giant to its knees--not Bill Gates' departure.

Of course, categorically dumping an operating system is quite difficult and with millions already using the OS, chances are Microsoft won't find a good enough reason to do it. And while I can understand that argument, there's no reason the company can't continue to support Vista and go back to the drawing board for its next OS. Even better, go back to XP--it's not nearly as bad as Vista.

As a daily user of Mac OS X, Ubuntu and Vista, I'm keenly aware of what works and what doesn't. Mac and Linux work.

The time is up. Microsoft must abandon Vista and move on. It's the company's only chance at redemption.

Originally posted at The Digital Home.

[keemapoot]

I think this is very accurate. Not only Vista, but also the new Office Suite. Bloated, full of bugs, demanding of RAM and resources, it's just gone out of control. MS offered college students in the US and Canada the chance to buy the new Office Suite at $60.00 Total failure. They all went and downloaded openoffice.

Most corporate IT managers are sticking with XP Pro. I think Vista is the biggest corporate blunder in company history. Office is the same on the heels of that.

[nikster]

Why should they improve the software if they are raking in billions of $$$ regardless?

Their main focus must be on maintaining their monopoly and this is based mostly on games and Office at this point. The unexciting Office 2007 is a much bigger problem for MS than Vista... MS would be dead if games ran just as well as on Linux and Macs.

Edited September 28, 2007 by nikster

[britmaveric]

I love VISTA, far superior product than XP. Well done MS - no blue screens unlike XP.

[cdnvic]

I think it's just more predictable MS bashing from an author known to write trollish blogs. Don Reisinger is known for liking to attract attention to himself by writing controversial articles with scant regard for facts or research. If you look into this guy's history you'll see what I mean.

So far as Vista is concerned, I've been using Windows, Macs, and Unix since the 80's and Vista is my favourite desktop OS of them all so far. Certainly the most trouble-free Windows OS I've ever owned. After 98 and early XP (which led me to downgrade to 95 and 2000), I've earned it.

[Guest Reimar]

I think it's just more predictable MS bashing from an author known to write trollish blogs. Don Reisinger is known for liking to attract attention to himself by writing controversial articles with scant regard for facts or research. If you look into this guy's history you'll see what I mean.

So far as Vista is concerned, I've been using Windows, Macs, and Unix since the 80's and Vista is my favourite desktop OS of them all so far. Certainly the most trouble-free Windows OS I've ever owned. After 98 and early XP (which led me to downgrade to 95 and 2000), I've earned it.

I agree with cndvic!

Except a few bad points for Vista is the best MS OS, beside of the Server OS, I had from MS.

Just solved one of the problem with the networking and I posted that article as well to let others profit from it although!

[cdnvic]

Yeah, I'm all for critics of a system pointing out problems and improvements that are needed. But the above article is just trolling.

[cdnvic]

Why should they improve the software if they are raking in billions of $$$ regardless?

Their main focus must be on maintaining their monopoly and this is based mostly on games and Office at this point. The unexciting Office 2007 is a much bigger problem for MS than Vista... MS would be dead if games ran just as well as on Linux and Macs.

If Linux and Macs were more of a market share, they'd simply write games for them rather than Windows. The fact is that Linux just isn't user friendly enough for most, and Macs insist on having it all (hardware, OS, etc). Windows is #1 because it's easy and it (usually) works, not because 85%+ of user need to play Age of Empires.

[youbet]

Most corporate IT managers are sticking with XP Pro. I think Vista is the biggest corporate blunder in company history. Office is the same on the heels of that.

There lies the problem in itself.

On one hand you mention openoffice which most IT managers / CTO's know nothing of, and a major failure in history, which most IT/CTO have none of (sense of history that is, with a near single platform in the consumer market and corporates are merely consumers as well, they think they have to be).

Go figure.

[solo siam]

They sold 40 million licenses in 100 days, the fastest selling (and most expensive) operating system ever.

Vista is great, if you don't like it - then you simply aren't running a powerful enough computer to run it!, and most probably are running a pirated copy.

The only issues I've heard of with Vista are the occasional driver issues, which is more down to manufacturers of components than anything else. Vista is so easy to install (1 hour, compared against 18 hours for XP for me when I upgraded).

It is also rock solid, I've not had my PC crash once in the 6 months I've had Vista.

In my eyes the author lost credibility as soon as he mentioned Ubuntu! What is it with these people, they are the Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems.

Edited September 28, 2007 by solo siam

[youbet]

The fact is that Linux just isn't user friendly enough for most,

Sorry I simply can not agree with this.

Have you ever looked at PCLinuxOS 2007?

Look at the access logs on this site and see what I am runing, one of the few U users on TV (U is part of my footprint I leave on this site indicating my OS is U for *nix).

If I read this post only 3 months ago I would agree with you but Linux / *nix OS's has grown user friendly in the last few years and now run rings over Wintel boxes any day I am now more than happy to report for simplicity and ease of use.

[onethailand]

When Vista is working, it is excellent. Since installing SP1 Vista has performed like a champ. But without SP1 many users (not all, as cdnvic seems to have his setup working fine, perhaps Reimar too) are going to be sorely disappointed if their machines don't have enough resources or suffer from some of the major problems brought on by a new OS (which actually is normal for any new OS).

I still think people should stick to XP for now. Wait a few more months...

[solo siam]

The fact is that Linux just isn't user friendly enough for most,

Sorry I simply can not agree with this.

Have you ever looked at PCLinuxOS 2007?

Look at the access logs on this site and see what I am runing, one of the few U users on TV (U is part of my footprint I leave on this site indicating my OS is U for *nix).

If I read this post only 3 months ago I would agree with you but Linux / *nix OS's has grown user friendly in the last few years and now run rings over Wintel boxes any day I am now more than happy to report for simplicity and ease of use.

Which version of the 1000 different types of Linux is that then?

Linux is NOT user friendly. It could have been if there was ONE Linux, there's thusands, they all work differently - regardless of which kernals etc... they use.

At the end of the day, Windows for all it's faults is 100 times simpler to install and use than Linux.

[youbet]

It is also rock solid, I've not had my PC crash once in the 6 months I've had Vista.

In my eyes the author lost credibility as soon as he mentioned Ubuntu! What is it with these people, they are the Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems.

We are not just all as you say "Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems" as there must be an element of truth in what all non-Wintel users say.

For instance I just looked at this box here in the office to see when it was last rebooted. You know power on power off.

How long is it since you have had to do a power off and power on your Vista box?

This one here says it is like the ever ready battery;

[root@localhost ~]# uptime

23:25:46 up 151 days, 7:43, 4 users, load average: 0.42, 0.69, 0.75

But 152 days would be as long as we had it here in the office. It was 45 minute upgrade from Xp and Vista to this (for every thing, I mean every thing too i.e office, custom apps, networking, Tv etc) non Windows OS so you are preaching to the converted.

[nikster]

I am guessing Vista will be just as good as XP once SP 2 comes around. Hopefully they will see the errors of their ways and make the OS disappear from view like it should be, stay in the background where it belongs.

Fix the performance bugs, cut all the stupid dialogs / warnings and Vista would be OK. I don't need "extras".

Re "your machine is not fast enough" - that's BS. My machine is plenty fast, Vista is slow due to bugs. Something as simple as drivers that are not working properly or not properly optimized.

[youbet]

Which version of the 1000 different types of Linux is that then?

Linux is NOT user friendly.

Oh dear you can not read as well, and when was the last time you used this 1,001 distro of Linux called PClinuxOS 2007 to make these judgments?

Edited September 28, 2007 by youbet

[solo siam]

Which version of the 1000 different types of Linux is that then?

Linux is NOT user friendly.

Oh dear you can not read as well, and when was the last time you used this 1,001 distro of Linux called PClinuxOS 2007 to make these judgments?

Debian-based

Debian is a distribution that emphasizes free software. It is supported on many hardware platforms. Debian and distributions based on it use the .deb package format and the dpkg package manager.

Distribution Description

64 Studio Attempts to specialize in audio and video production on AMD64 workstations.

AbulÉdu For education purposes

Adamantix Focuses on security.[citation needed]

Baltix For Lithuanian and Latvian languages

Bayanihan Linux 2006 A Linux server distribution from the Philippines.

BeatrIX A compact distribution from the Czech Republic that focuses on providing a user-friendly desktop environment.

Bharat Operating System Solutions A Linux distribution with Indian language support. It focuses on providing applications for use in government.

Bonzai Linux 180 MB distribution, KDE desktop. Documentation is mostly in German.

DeMuDi For multimedia production

Dreamlinux A Brazilian Linux distribution based on Morphix, Elive, Debian and Kanotix. It has a GUI has a strong similarity to that of Apple Computer's Mac OS X.

dyne:bolic LiveCD geared toward multimedia (audio and video) production, but comes with other non-media specific application (eg: word processor, desktop publisher).

eBox Router/Firewall and NAS/PDC

Elive A LiveCD and Distribution featuring Enlightenment as the only window manager. Aims to be intuitive and easy to use.

Feather Linux Sharing similar goals as ###### Small Linux, but not based on it (Feather is more closely related to Knoppix). Uses Knoppix-based hardware detection and the Fluxbox window manager. Compatible with Debian packages (.deb).

Finnix A small system administration Live CD that is available for multiple architectures.

Gibraltar Router/firewall distribution.

gnuLinEx A distribution promoted by the government of Extremadura, Spain.

Knoppix The first Live CD (later DVD) version of Debian GNU/Linux.

Linspire Desktop-oriented distribution, previously called Lindows. Focuses on proprietary software applications.

Morphix A LiveCD distribution with different flavours, including GNOME. Used as a base for many other custom live distribution such as Clusterix, PHlAK or Gnix.

Musix A Knoppix/Debian based distribution, intended for music production, graphic design, audio, video editing, and other tasks.

NepaLinux A Debian and Morphix based distribution focused for desktop usage in Nepali language computing.

OK-Desktop Distribution focused on directly effecting humanitarian and educational changes. Includes support for RPM and other packaging systems.[citation needed]

OpenZaurus Debian packages and ROM image for the Sharp Zaurus PDA.

Paipix Based on Knoppix and Kanotix for desktop usage. Developed in Portugal, but with localizations in other languages.

Parsix GNU/Linux Parsix is an installable live CD based on Kanotix and Debian sid.

PingOO A French distribution aimed at local communities, public organizations, schools, etc. It comes in three editions: PingOO Communication Server, PingOO Secure Server and PingOO File Server. Includes GNOME or KDE desktops.

Rxart Desktop-oriented distribution. Focused on providing proprietary software.

Skolelinux A distribution from Norway. It is provided as a thin client distribution for schools.

sidux Based on Debian unstable.

Symphony OS Includes the Mezzo desktop environment. Previous versions were based on Knoppix.

The Linux Router Project Router distribution

Trisquel A Debian based distribution, created in Galicia (Spain). It has support for old PCs, includes a 3D desktop with Compiz.

Tuquito Created in Argentina.

Ubuntu A distribution sponsored by Canonical Ltd as well as receiving major funding from South African Mark Shuttleworth. Aims to offer a complete and polished desktop on a single CD.

UserLinux Commercial distribution that would have included GNOME. It was never published.

Xandros Open Circulation Edition based on Xandros 3.0 Standard Edition with the exception of DVD burning being disabled and CD burning restricted to a maximum speed of 4X.

Xebian a distribution for the Xbox home gaming console, Fluxbox.

Zen Linux A Live CD. Desktops available are GNOME and KDE.

[edit] Knoppix-based

Knoppix is itself based on Debian.

Distribution Description

Buildix For agile developers.

Kaella The French translation of Knoppix. It is not a fork itself because it is rebuilt after every new release from Knoppix.

Kake Linux A version of the Kurumin distribution designed for support hardwares, developer users, security and Brazilian users.[citation needed]

Kalango Another Brazilian Knoppix-based distribution designed to have strong visual appeal.

Kanotix Known for its excellent hardware support and desktop integration among laptops.[citation needed] KDE desktop, optional other desktops.

KnoppMyth Specialized Knoppix distribution for easy setup of the MythTV PVR software.

Kurumin A version of the Knoppix distribution designed for Brazilian users.

Mediainlinux LiveCD multimedia (audio and video) production | Knoppix based.

PAIPIX A Debian "live" distribution based on Knoppix and Kanotix for desktop usage. Developed in Portugal, but with localizations in other languages.

More distributions based on Knoppix are listed in the Knoppix article.

[edit] Ubuntu-based

Ubuntu is based on Debian.

Distribution Description

AndLinux Based on Xubuntu. Runs on Windows using coLinux and enabling clipboard and pipes exchange between Windows and Linux.

Edubuntu Edubuntu is a version of Ubuntu Linux distribution designed for use in classroom

EHUX Ubuntu-based, created as an inititiative of the University of the Basque Country.

Freespire (Distribution that focuses on obtaining streaming media from the Internet.

gNewSense An entirely free/libre general purpose operating system, derived from Ubuntu.

Gnoppix Intended to offer the GNOME desktop environment on a Live CD. Discontinued.

Gobuntu An entirely free general purpose operating system, derived from Ubuntu. Formerly gNewSense.[citation needed]

Guadalinex An Ubuntu-based distribution promoted by the local government of Andalucia, Spain for home users and schools (cf. EduLinux, Skolelinux).

Hiweed A distribution for the Chinese language with simplified Chinese input, Chinese dictionaries, and Chinese TrueType fonts.

Ichthux Originally based on Koppix, this Christian orientated distro is based on Ubuntu.

ImpiLinux A South African distribution that focuses on the needs of African users.

Kubuntu Kubuntu is Ubuntu with KDE used as the desktop environment.

Linux Mint Based on Ubuntu, but includes common multimedia codecs and some more common software such as Beryl.

MEPIS Easy-to-install right out-of-the-box.

nUbuntu CD-based Linux distribution with tools needed for penetrating testing servers and networks with a Fluxbox GUI.

Pyramid linux Pyramid Linux is a embedded systems Linux distro based on the binaries of Ubuntu. This distro was formerly called Pebble Linux.

Olá! Dom An Kubuntu-based Polish distribution.

Ubuntu Christian Edition Ubuntu Based edition that is oriented towards Christians.

Ubuntu Muslim Edition Ubuntu based distribution that is oriented towards Muslims.

Ubuntu Studio Ubuntu Studio is a version Ubuntu Linux with various multimedia producing packages included

Vacarm Linux Vacarm Linux is a security-oriented distribution with tools needed for intrusion detection, network monitoring, forensic analyses...

Xubuntu An Ubuntu derivative which uses the Xfce desktop environment.

[edit] Gentoo-based

Gentoo is a distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software. Distributions based on Gentoo use the Portage package management system with emerge.

Distribution Description

Gentoox An adaptation of Gentoo for the Xbox.

Calculate Linux A distribution for workstations.[citation needed]

Knopperdisk A new distribution aimed purely at USB sticks.

Kororaa A distribution which aims at easy installation of a Gentoo system by using install scripts instead of manual configuration.

Pentoo Penetration-testing Live CD distribution.

Sabayon Linux Live DVD which includes a wide range of desktop environments and open-source software applications. Like Knoppix, Sabayon Linux can be installed on the hard drive.

SystemRescueCD System rescue Live CD based on the Gentoo Live CD.

Ututo A distribution made in Argentina.

VidaLinux A distribution which is based on Gentoo but uses Anaconda as its installer.

[edit] RPM-based

Red Hat Linux and SUSE Linux were the original major distributions that used the RPM file format, which is today used in several package management systems. Both of these later divided into commercial and community-supported distributions. Red Hat Linux divided into a community-supported distribution sponsored by Red Hat called Fedora, and a commercially-supported distribution called Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

[edit] Fedora-based

Distribution Description

Aurox Young Polish distribution with emphasis for multimedia, graphics, localization and education.

Aurora SPARC Linux A distribution that brings a modified Fedora to Sun's SPARC architecture

BLAG Linux and GNU An entirely Free Software-based distribution intended for the home desktop user designed to provide many features while remaining within the size of one CD.

Fox Linux An Italian distribution designed for basic home computing tasks such as browsing the Web, writing and printing documents, using multimedia and burning discs.

K12Linux and K12LTSP A distribution for educational purpose. K12LTSP comes with LTSP support.

Linux XP An easy-to-use distribution without the hassle of re-partitioning the hard drive and going through complicated processes of hardware configuration. Last release December 19 2005.

Yellow Dog Linux A Fedora-based distribution for the PowerPC platform

[edit] Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based

Distribution Description

Asianux A distribution co-developed between Red Flag Software Co., Ltd., Miracle Linux Corp. and Haansoft, INC., focused on Chinese, Japanese and Korean supports.

CentOS Community supported distribution which aims to be 100% compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux without Red Hat branding and various non-free software.

ClarkConnect Router/firewall distribution

Pie Box Enterprise Linux Pie Box Enterprise Linux aims to be 100% binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux by introducing minimal changes to the upstream packages.

Scientific Linux A distribution co-developed by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) which aims to be 100% compatible with and based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

White Box Enterprise Linux A distribution designed to be 100% binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

See Red Hat Enterprise Linux clones for a more complete list, as well as Commercial products based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

[edit] Others

Distribution Description

aLinux A distribution for home use designed to be equivalent to Windows XP Home (formerly known as Peanut Linux).

ALT Linux Several distributions including Master, Compact, and Junior. Valued for strong Cyrillic support.

Annvix A security-focused server distribution using tools like runit, urpmi, SSP-enhanced GCC, and more. Originally based on Mandrake 9.2 but has diverged a lot.

Ark Linux A distribution focused on ease of use and ease of learning, while remaining technically sane.

ASPLinux A distribution that provides support for Russian and other Cyrillic languages.

Berry Linux A medium-sized Fedora-based distribution that provides support in Japanese and English.

Caixa Mágica A Portuguese distribution.

Caldera Linux Caldera bought SCO then took the SCO name and no longer produces a Linux distribution. Last release: 3.1.1 - Jan. 30, 2002

cAos Linux A general purpose distribution. Designed to be lightweight (fast and can be suitable for running on older hardware) and easily customizable

EduLinux A distribution for educational purposes (cf. Guadalinex, Skolelinux).

EnGarde Secure Linux EnGarde Secure Linux is a highly-secure, server-only community distribution built on a foundation of

SELinux policies and sponsored by Guardian Digital, Inc. of Allendale NJ.

Elfstone A distribution mainly for developers, programmers, engineers, and network administrators. Discontinued[citation needed]

Linkat A distribution promoted by the government of Catalonia, Spain.

Mandriva Linux Free Formerly known as Mandrakelinux, Mandriva Linux Free is entirely free software. Mandriva is developing and supporting x86 and X86_64 architectures, and providing CDs (three or four discs) and DVD editions.

MCNLive A Mandriva-based distribution designed to run from CD or USB Flash Drive, focused on multimedia, internet, graphics.

PCLinuxOS A Live CD distribution which can be installed to hard disk. Originally based on Mandrake 9.2.

Pingo Linux A Slovenian version of Red Hat and Fedora

PLD Linux Distribution A distribution intended for more advanced users, while remaining more convenient than Slackware or Gentoo.

QiLinux Made in Italy, completely from scratch. The QiLinux staff has developed a desktop and live version as well as a server and advanced server version.

Red Flag Linux A distribution developed in China and optimized for the Chinese market.

Red Hat Linux Split into Fedora Core and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The last official release was Red Hat Linux 9 in March 2003.

SAM Linux A live and installation CD based on PCLinuxOS 2007 and Xfce.

Sharif Linux A bilingual Persian-English distribution for the Iranian market.

SUSE Linux A desktop-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc.. In 2004 Novell acquired SUSE which is based in Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Germany. SUSE is one of the most popular distributions in Europe. Like Red Hat Linux, it is a large distribution on several CDs/DVDs. Free Eval versions are available for the SUSE Linux Enterprise versions. It includes a multipurpose configuration tool called YaST.

* openSUSE - A branch developed by the community and sponsored by Novell. openSUSE maintains a strict policy of insuring all code in the standard installs will be from Free/Libre/Open-Source Software solutions, including Linux kernel Modules. Novell's enterprise Linux products are all based on the codebase that comes out of the openSUSE project.

* SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - A server-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the business market.

* SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (previously branded Novell Linux Desktop) - A desktop-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the enterprise market.

* SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time - A specialized version of the SUSE distribution from Novell designed to support low latency for time critical operations.

Tinfoil Hat Linux A distribution stated to be aimed at the security-conscious and paranoid.[citation needed]

Trustix A somewhat-hardened distribution focused on security.

Turbolinux A popular distribution in Asia, based on Red Hat Linux.

Vine Linux A Japanese distribution based on Red Hat Linux.

YOPER "Your Operating System", a desktop distribution from New Zealand that focuses on optimizing system performance for workstation use.

[edit] Slackware-based

Slackware is known as a highly customizable distribution that stresses ease of maintenance and reliability over cutting edge software and automated tools. Generally considered a distribution for advanced users, it is often suggested to those who want to learn the inner workings of a Linux operating system.

Distribution Description

Austrumi A business card size (50MB) bootable live CD Linux distribution developed by Latvian programmers.

Bluewhite64 An unofficial port of Slackware to the x86-64 architecture.

College Linux A Linux distribution meant to be used for the common college student, bundling useful educational tools without the normal expense associated with them. It was discontinued in 2003.[citation needed]

easys GNU/Linux Slackware based enterprise Desktop equipped with KDE.

Frugalware A general purpose Linux distribution designed for intermediate users.

GoblinX A live CD that features multiple customizable desktop environments.

OpenDevelop GNU/Linux Development-desktop oriented live and installable Linux distribution based on Slackware and Linux Live scripts, fully optimized for development purposes.

Plamo Linux A Japanese Linux distribution designed for reliability and simplicity.

Slackintosh An unofficial port of Slackware to the PowerPC architecture.

Slamd64 An unofficial port of Slackware to the x86-64 architecture.

SLAX A very popular live CD which aims to provide a complete desktop for general use. Permanent installation of SLAX is not recommended or supported, it is designed for "live" use only.

Topologilinux Designed to run from within Microsoft Windows, Topologilinux can be installed without any changes to the user's hard disk.

Vector Linux A lightweight distribution designed to be easy to use even for new users. Generally considered well suited for older hardware.

Wolvix GNU/Linux A live distribution designed for desktop and multimedia applications. Can be run from a CD or USB device, and also supports installation.

Zenwalk Linux Originally a minimal version of Slackware, Zenwalk has evolved into a very different operating system; though compatibility with Slackware is still maintained.

[edit] SLAX-Based

SLAX's modularity and reputation of quality have made it a popular base for other live CD projects.

Distribution Description

AliXe A bilingual (English and French) distribution designed for office and multimedia applications.

Arudius An information assurance suite that includes many vulnerability assessment utilities and source code auditing tools.

BackTrack A network security suite developed by RemoteExploit.org. It includes many penetration testing utilities and development tools. While BackTrack is principally used as a live CD, it can also be installed permanently.

DNALinux A small distribution designed for running bioinformatics software, including BLAST and EMBOSS.

LG3D LiveCD A live CD used to demonstrate Sun Microsystems Project Looking Glass 3D desktop environment.

SLAMPP Designed to be used on a home server.

[edit] Others

The following distributions either use another packaging system, do not use any, or are simply not categorized.

Distribution Description

Arch Linux An i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. Uses pacman utility to update packages.

BeatrIX A discontinued compact (200M) distribution from the Czech Republic. Providing a user-friendly desktop is a chief design goal.

Coyote Linux Router/firewall distribution.

CRUX CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is "keep it simple", which is reflected in a simple tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages

CryptoBox An encrypting fileserver

###### Small Linux (DSL) Generally considered as the starter of mini distributions. A live CD designed for MiniCD with a hard drive install option. Started as a personal project to see how many usable desktop applications could fit inside a business card size 50MB MiniCD. Over time it has grown into a considerably active community project. Refinements include a fully automated remote and local application installation system and a very versatile backup and restore system which may be used with any writable media including a hard drive, a floppy drive or a USB device. Uses Knoppix hardware detection which - although detecting most hardware selection - takes a relatively long time to boot. Includes own *.dsl packaging system, but offers options to use deb package from Debian repositories to extend the system (use with caution). Uses Fluxbox window manager.

DD-WRT Embedded firewall distribution.

DeLi Linux A desktop based mini distribution with office suite, webbrowser and other graphical programs to run on a 486. Built from scratch with some influences from Slackware and CRUX.

Devil-Linux firewall/router/server distribution running from CD.

DSLinux Version of Linux designed for the Nintendo DS.

Eisfair small easy to install server.

Endian Router/firewall distribution.

Familiar Linux Distribution for iPAQ handhelds.

Finux The name used by Neal Stephenson in his novel, Cryptonomicon, denoting a fictional operating system written by Finnish people. The name is a thinly-veiled reference to Linux, a kernel originally written by Helsinki, Finland native, Linus Torvalds.

Fli4l a single floppy ISDN, DSL and Ethernet-Router.

Foresight Linux A distribution built around the Conary package manager.

FREESCO A free replacement for proprietary routers supporting up to 10 network cards and up to 10 modems.

GeeXboX LiveCD media center distribution, mainly to play special-encoded video files (eg: .ogg, XVID) on home theater.

GoboLinux An alternative Linux distribution which redefines the entire file system hierarchy by installing everything belonging to one application in one folder under /Programs, and using symlinks from /System and its subfolders to point to the proper files. Upstream source packages are installed using Compile.

Hikarunix A distro solely for studying and playing the game of Go.

IPCop Router/firewall distribution.

iPodLinux Embedded Linux firmware for the Apple iPod based on the µCLinux kernel.

Jlime Distribution for the HP Jornada handhelds.

Jurix One of the earliest distributions, developed from 1993-1999; SuSE 4.2 was based on it.

Linux From Scratch A book giving instructions on how to build a Linux system from source, a LiveCD containing the most recent stable version of both the book and the packages needed for a base system is also available.

Lunar Linux A source code-based distribution descended from Sorcerer GNU/Linux.

Lycoris Desktop/LX: Fell down to one employee and then acquired by Mandriva.

MCC Interim Linux MCC Interim Linux, possibly the first Linux distribution. Created by the Manchester Computing Centre in February of 1992.

MiniMyth Net-bootable distribution to run frontend components of MythTV on diskless Via EPIA M hardware.

MkLinux A distribution for PowerPC systems that runs the Linux kernel as a server on top of the Mach microkernel.

Mobilinux By Montavista for smartphones.

MontaVista Linux Embedded systems distro by MontaVista Software.

MSVS A general-purpose Linux-based operating system focused on security. It is designed in Russian VNIINS institute, certified and used by Russian military. There are also more narrowly specialised versions for mainframes and mobile complexes.

myOS Miniature, Linux based OpenGL development system.

NASLite a floppy-based Linux designed to turn an old computer into a simple Network Attached Storage device.

NimbleX A modular distribution intended for non-experienced users. It runs from the CD/USB.

Nitix Developed by Net Integration Technologies Inc., Nitix claims to be the first autonomic Linux-based server operating system.

Operator Linux A CD-based Linux with tools for network administration and security testing.

Pardus Developed in Turkey. It uses PISI as package manager, COMAR as configuration framework.

PS2 Linux Sony Computer Entertainment distribution released officially for the PlayStation 2 video game console.

Puppy Linux A mini distribution which boots 2-3 times faster than other mini distributions due to its own built-from-scratch boot procedure[citation needed], rather than being based on Knoppix, as many other live CDs are. Runs well under low-end PCs - even under 32MB RAM - with its ultra-minimalistic approach. Contains very minimal set of utilities; e.g. earlier versions used BusyBox instead of bash to provide command line support. Uses JWM, a Windows 95-like window manager.

Rocks Cluster Distribution A distribution for building a High-performance computing computer cluster.

rPath A distribution built around the Conary package manager.

Sentry Firewall A firewall, server or intrusion detection system distribution.

SmoothWall Router/firewall distribution.

Softlanding Linux System One of the earliest distributions, developed from 1992-1994; Slackware was originally based on it.

Sorcerer A source code-based distribution.

Source Mage GNU/Linux A source code-based distribution, descended from Sorcerer.

Tinfoil Hat Linux Bootable floppy distribution focusing on extreme security.[citation needed]

tomsrtbt Root boot disk.

Tuga Commercial desktop distribution made in Italy, based on QiLinux.

Yggdrasil Linux One of the oldest Linux distributions, not updated since 1995.

[youbet]

Debian-based

[bITS DELETED TO SAVE BANDWIDTH]

Of course the linux section in here would have told you this was a bit of a misaligned posting.

I am sorry but I have totally lost your point in this post other than you want to waste bandwidth and still can not read?

Edited September 28, 2007 by youbet

[Khun Jack]

They sold 40 million licenses in 100 days, the fastest selling (and most expensive) operating system ever.

Vista is great, if you don't like it - then you simply aren't running a powerful enough computer to run it!, and most probably are running a pirated copy.

The only issues I've heard of with Vista are the occasional driver issues, which is more down to manufacturers of components than anything else. Vista is so easy to install (1 hour, compared against 18 hours for XP for me when I upgraded).

It is also rock solid, I've not had my PC crash once in the 6 months I've had Vista.

In my eyes the author lost credibility as soon as he mentioned Ubuntu! What is it with these people, they are the Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems.

I think you are even worse than a Jehova witness , to assume that everyone that doesn't like Vista has a pirated OS copy !.

I don't know Vista , I don't need it, never had a blue screen in XP unless hardware failure occurred, and the DRM thing is good reason to avoid Vista.

Further the dominance of one single company in any market is a big threat and it will be a good thing if MS continued to stick with Vista.

Another good thing would be if Ubuntu (silly name) was developed to be a real competitor for MS.

Edited September 28, 2007 by Khun Jack

[Plus]

Linux might be "user friendly", but judging by Linux fans posts the definition or user friendliness is rather different.

I don't understand anything about .deb or .njx and I can't remember the "friendliest" distribution (<deleted> is a distribution anyway?) name. Was it LinuxPro2007 or ProLinux1-2007?

And that was before that inane post of hundreds of lines of obscure code names.

By comparison there's only one Windows Xp at Pantip or preinstalled on new computers and you don't even need to know what it is.

PS. That would be XP Pro SP2, btw.

[youbet]

Linux might be "user friendly", but judging by Linux fans posts the definition or user friendliness is rather different.

I don't understand anything about .deb or .njx and I can't remember the "friendliest" distribution (<deleted> is a distribution anyway?) name. Was it LinuxPro2007 or ProLinux1-2007?

And that was before that inane post of hundreds of lines of obscure code names.

By comparison there's only one Windows Xp at Pantip or preinstalled on new computers and you don't even need to know what it is.

PS. That would be XP Pro SP2, btw.

No this also is another urban myth.

It depends on

[1] what shop you purchased it from

[2] what version of pirateware they were using - as there are as many versions of XP pirateware as there are disto's of linux or more to be sure

[3] how the shop then customised the piraeware to meet their needs (not yours)

[4] Did they use Xp home, Xp Pro, Xp Corporate or Xp Pantip

But as you say in the end XP is XP and Linux is Linux but it all comes down to how user friendly they made it for you the user.

Edited September 28, 2007 by youbet

[solo siam]

They sold 40 million licenses in 100 days, the fastest selling (and most expensive) operating system ever.

Vista is great, if you don't like it - then you simply aren't running a powerful enough computer to run it!, and most probably are running a pirated copy.

The only issues I've heard of with Vista are the occasional driver issues, which is more down to manufacturers of components than anything else. Vista is so easy to install (1 hour, compared against 18 hours for XP for me when I upgraded).

It is also rock solid, I've not had my PC crash once in the 6 months I've had Vista.

In my eyes the author lost credibility as soon as he mentioned Ubuntu! What is it with these people, they are the Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems.

I think you are even worse than a Jehova witness , to assume that everyone that doesn't like Vista has a pirated OS copy !.

I don't know Vista , I don't need it, never had a blue screen in XP unless hardware failure occurred, and the DRM thing is good reason to avoid Vista.

Further the dominance of one single company in any market is a big threat and it will be a good thing if MS continued to stick with Vista.

Another good thing would be if Ubuntu (silly name) was developed to be a real competitor for MS.

What DRM thing?

Are you sending High Definition TV signals round your house somehow? or sharing Blu-ray disks digitally? I don't think so. If you're Windows XP has never crashed you must be very special, or simply not telling the truth.

[youbet]

Are you sending High Definition TV signals round your house somehow? I don't think so.

What do you mean somehow? This is as basic as abc on a MAC, Windows XP or Linux. You do not need vista to do this at all.

[solo siam]

Debian-based

[bITS DELETED TO SAVE BANDWIDTH]

Of course the linux section in here would have told you this was a bit of a misaligned posting.

I am sorry but I have totally lost your point in this post other than you want to waste bandwidth and still can not read?

Bandwidth????

That text was about 2kb, the average download of Ubuntu is 300,000 times as large, your Linux package of choice is 1,000,000 times larger.

I can read fine, you use some obscure version of Linux that you expect us (everyone in the world) to find, download and be happy with, I'm sure there are millions of people who expect us to do the same with their even more obscure version of Linux.

[solo siam]

Are you sending High Definition TV signals round your house somehow? I don't think so.

What do you mean somehow? This is as basic as abc on a MAC, Windows XP or Linux. You do not need vista to do this at all.

Where are you getting High DefTV signals from, they are ONLY available for streaming throughout the house with Cablecard in the USA. Please point me to a single computer in Thailand that gets uncompressed HD TV and sends it (not streaming files) all over the house. Its absolutely impossible...

The DRM present in VISTA has ABSOLUTELY no effect on any user in Thailand right now, I personally use Vista here in Thailand to stream HD-DVD movies re-encoded into WMV - VC1 (WMV Profile 9) and watch high definition films around my house, DRM in Vista is aimed at Managed Copy and other cutting edge (but beneficial) technologies... Please tell us in what way it is limiting you in any way whatsoever,

[youbet]

Debian-based

[bITS DELETED TO SAVE BANDWIDTH]

Of course the linux section in here would have told you this was a bit of a misaligned posting.

I am sorry but I have totally lost your point in this post other than you want to waste bandwidth and still can not read?

Bandwidth????

That text was about 2kb, the average download of Ubuntu is 300,000 times as large, your Linux package of choice is 1,000,000 times larger.

I can read fine, you use some obscure version of Linux that you expect us (everyone in the world) to find, download and be happy with, I'm sure there are millions of people who expect us to do the same with their even more obscure version of Linux.

so you conceed that at 300,000 ttimes of your post you get absolutly every thing less than 2,000,000 the times of a Winel OS install (no Office, No tools just the OS), thanks for that.

So you also concurr that can read fine.

You knew before you posted the pointless file above that what I was talking about was PClinuxOS 2007 (far from obscure to many and such a delight to use) as you read it when I first posted it, so why ask again and again unless you can not read or take the time to read or simply want to flame this thread?

Edited September 28, 2007 by youbet

[solo siam]

It is also rock solid, I've not had my PC crash once in the 6 months I've had Vista.

In my eyes the author lost credibility as soon as he mentioned Ubuntu! What is it with these people, they are the Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems.

We are not just all as you say "Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems" as there must be an element of truth in what all non-Wintel users say.

For instance I just looked at this box here in the office to see when it was last rebooted. You know power on power off.

How long is it since you have had to do a power off and power on your Vista box?

This one here says it is like the ever ready battery;

[root@localhost ~]# uptime

23:25:46 up 151 days, 7:43, 4 users, load average: 0.42, 0.69, 0.75

But 152 days would be as long as we had it here in the office. It was 45 minute upgrade from Xp and Vista to this (for every thing, I mean every thing too i.e office, custom apps, networking, Tv etc) non Windows OS so you are preaching to the converted.

Firstly overwriting a purchased copy of Vista with a distribution of linux is hardly an upgrade and my Vista PC is left on at all times, it rebooted once 80 days or so ago to do an upgrade.

You don't do anything interesting enough with TV to warrant listing it there (unless you run a media centre server). Vista is in a different league to your Linux box for myself, I stream to 3 Media centre extenders throughout the house and wathc all my TV, Movies and photos etc... through it. Impossible with ANY of the thousands of different versions of linux.

You talk about preaching to the choir, The choir IS MICROSOFT WINDOWS, if your thousands of different versions of free software were significantly better then why aren't we all using it?

[solo siam]

Debian-based

[bITS DELETED TO SAVE BANDWIDTH]

Of course the linux section in here would have told you this was a bit of a misaligned posting.

I am sorry but I have totally lost your point in this post other than you want to waste bandwidth and still can not read?

Bandwidth????

That text was about 2kb, the average download of Ubuntu is 300,000 times as large, your Linux package of choice is 1,000,000 times larger.

I can read fine, you use some obscure version of Linux that you expect us (everyone in the world) to find, download and be happy with, I'm sure there are millions of people who expect us to do the same with their even more obscure version of Linux.

so you conceed that at 300,000 ttimes of your post you get absolutly every thing less than 2,000,000 the times of a Winel OS install (no Office, No tools just the OS), thanks for that.

So you also concurr that can read fine.

You knew before you posted the pointless file above that what I was talking about was PClinuxOS 2007 (far from obscure to many and such a delight to use) as you read it when I first posted it, so why ask again and again unless you can not read or take the time to read or simply want to flame this thread?

I've worked with PC's for 20 years since DOS days, I have NEVER heard of your version of linux - sorry if that upsets you! I'm sure that 99% of the people here have never heard of or used it as well., which is kind of the point.

Personally I prefer to use a professionally developed O/S rather than something made by a bunch of people who don't know each other, making it for free, thats also why I don't drive a Kit Car, go on holiday in planes built by 'hobbyists' or let my next door neighbour do my dental work.

Your O/S works fine for you, great be happy about it - Why do you feel the need to 'sell it' to others.

[Khun Jack]

They sold 40 million licenses in 100 days, the fastest selling (and most expensive) operating system ever.

Vista is great, if you don't like it - then you simply aren't running a powerful enough computer to run it!, and most probably are running a pirated copy.

The only issues I've heard of with Vista are the occasional driver issues, which is more down to manufacturers of components than anything else. Vista is so easy to install (1 hour, compared against 18 hours for XP for me when I upgraded).

It is also rock solid, I've not had my PC crash once in the 6 months I've had Vista.

In my eyes the author lost credibility as soon as he mentioned Ubuntu! What is it with these people, they are the Jehovas Witnesses of Operating Systems.

I think you are even worse than a Jehova witness , to assume that everyone that doesn't like Vista has a pirated OS copy !.

I don't know Vista , I don't need it, never had a blue screen in XP unless hardware failure occurred, and the DRM thing is good reason to avoid Vista.

Further the dominance of one single company in any market is a big threat and it will be a good thing if MS continued to stick with Vista.

Another good thing would be if Ubuntu (silly name) was developed to be a real competitor for MS.

What DRM thing?

Are you sending High Definition TV signals round your house somehow? or sharing Blu-ray disks digitally? I don't think so. If you're Windows XP has never crashed you must be very special, or simply not telling the truth.

Of course I have seen the blue screen in Windows XP many times and I have stated this in my previous post because of HARDWARE FAILURES!.

That is an observation in my daily job but in private with the choice of a quality main board and memory chips have resulted with NO blue screens using windows XP for years with every day heavy use.

[youbet]

Are you sending High Definition TV signals round your house somehow? I don't think so.

What do you mean somehow? This is as basic as abc on a MAC, Windows XP or Linux. You do not need vista to do this at all.

Where are you getting High DefTV signals from, they are ONLY available for streaming throughout the house with Cablecard in the USA. Please point me to a single computer in Thailand that gets uncompressed HD TV and sends it (not streaming files) all over the house. Its absolutely impossible...

The DRM present in VISTA has ABSOLUTELY no effect on any user in Thailand right now, I personally use Vista here in Thailand to stream HD-DVD movies re-encoded into WMV - VC1 (WMV Profile 9) and watch high definition films around my house, DRM in Vista is aimed at Managed Copy and other cutting edge (but beneficial) technologies... Please tell us in what way it is limiting you in any way whatsoever,

Pardon! No PC, heck you forgot to tell us this for the last 12 months we had beter stop then as we can not do it. Grow up this is old technolgy now.

Any PC using a DVB-s S2 card, 5 here,more in the office. all 1080i and 756i on the lower formats can take it off the air here in Thailand. What is your point, streaming it and receiving it is as easy as abc as I said!

DRM has no impact what soever, and completely useless for our needs

As to HD movies there are tons of torrent sites now for them as well and again a basic MServ with or without transcode for this will stream them as easy as abc.

Sorry I really have totally lost you point here?