How to Identify Linux users on a gun forum.

[The Annoyed Man]

BTW, Mac OS X also comes with a multiple desktop capability.

[Liberty]

I haven't been able to get sound working. It could be broken on my motherboard. Research on the internet is pretty helpful.

I've become an 'ol pro at sound issues on a Linux box, so I'd be more than happy to help. Do you know what kind of chipset you have for your soundcard?

There are a few settings to check out too. Make sure your PCM sound is all the way up and that nothing is muted (it get get very finincky)

My problem is that I can't get the OS to see the hardware. I keep getting reports that the software can't find my hardware or drivers I have an Intel DG31PR motherboard I don't know what the chip set is. The system supports 6 speakers from the front and.or 2 speakers from the rear. I enabled it at the BIOS level.. Everything else has worked real easy.. I installed 2 printers today took 3 minutes was the easiest time I ever had installing printers. I even got the cube thing going ... If I can only get sound!!!

[Liberty]

Make sure your PCM sound is all the way up and that nothing is muted

That's good advice - this exact thing happened to me once.

Liberty, if you're looking for a mail client, I highly recommend Thunderbird. My wife uses it and loves it. mutt is another good mail program if you're looking for speed and customizability, but be prepared for a steep learning curve.

I actually use Thunderbird at work It is very good, but I have been using Forté Agent for about 13 years now and want to give it a shot.

[KBCraig]

Back to the original question: you can identify Linux users on a gun forum when they don't automatically think "gnu" is a typo.

[G.A. Heath]

For an email client I use Evolution, think of it as the Linux equal (I think superior) of MS Outlook. To identify the sound system, and other hardware, open a terminal (Usually in your accessories menu) and type lspci this will list all PCI, AGP, and integrated devices. I haven't been replying to much lately as I have been busy with testing and converting my second AR build from a day rifle to a night hunter.

[lrb111]

My problem is that I can't get the OS to see the hardware. I keep getting reports that the software can't find my hardware or drivers I have an Intel DG31PR motherboard I don't know what the chip set is. The system supports 6 speakers from the front and.or 2 speakers from the rear. I enabled it at the BIOS level.. Everything else has worked real easy.. I installed 2 printers today took 3 minutes was the easiest time I ever had installing printers. I even got the cube thing going ... If I can only get sound!!!

Here's the data sheet on your board. http://www.intel.com/products/motherboa ... onfigs.htm
downloads for the Audio: Realtek* ALCxxx Driver are all Windows.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... 5&lang=eng

Google "Linux drivers for Realtek ALC888 audio" returned these two on the first page:

This one goes in under the Win compatability program Wine. http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/ubuntu ... lc888.html

Here's a different tact on the Ubuntu forum. http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=674437

good luck.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Oh for you multiple desktop users

Virtual Desktop Manager Powertoy

Virtual Desktop Manager is a Microsoft Powertoy for Windows XP. It allows you to maintain up to 4 different desktops, each with it`s own applications and desktop wallpapers. It integrates into the taskbar and allows you to quickly switch between your virtual desktops. You can also assign keyboard hotkeys to switch between or preview all 4 desktops at once. For example, you can open your e-mail program on one desktop, an Internet chess game on the second, several Internet sessions on the third, and multiple database sessions on the fourth.

and a less buggy linux port (go figure!)
VirtuaWin - The Virtual Desktop Manager

VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called 'workspaces'). Virtual desktops are very common in Unix/Linux, and once you get accustomed to using them, they become an essential part of a productive workflow.
VirtuaWin is designed to be simple and elegant to use yet still be highly configurable and extensible.
Have as many as 9 virtual desktops on Windows with VirtuaWin

[KinnyLee]

I installed and uses a Ubuntu box at work. Doesn't that make me a Linux user?

[NcongruNt]

#9 They were truly suprised when /. had the "geeks with guns" article (Oct 31, 1998).

My Linux days pre-date my gun toting days, and I remember well when Eric started up his geeks with guns project. I recall being a little repulsed by the bravado that Eric employed when promoting this project. It seemed inappropriate for some reason. Then again, I saw "ESR" as an outsider coming in to try to take over the world of free software, so I guess he couldn't win for losing with those of us in Stallman's camp. It's ten years later and I guess we're still holding a grudge.

Then I met Stallman in person several times, and realized that maybe Eric wasn't so bad after all.

You and me both. That guy is truly bizarre, and tends to attract very weird folks. I know someone who is a long time friend of his who uses only emacs to browse, read e-mail, and every other operation possible. I have a photo of Stallman the day I met him at an Austin Robot Group meeting that kind of sums up his weirdness. I'll seek the judgment of the mods before posting the photo, just to make sure they're OK with it. You're welcome to PM me for the link if you'd like.

[EDIT: The afore-mentioned picture is not deemed by the moderators to be appropriate for posting here. Specifically, it is of Robert Stallman with a robot built on a female mannequin torso, designed to perform hair cutting tasks. It's quite comical, if you know who he is. PM me if you would like to see it.]

[NcongruNt]

Linux user here...trying to convert anyone who will listen! So far, I have converted my Mother, Wife, Aunt, and some friends.

Debian is my distro of choice.

And Vi is the BEST editor out there!

Ditto on both for me as well.

I banished Windows from all of my computers in 2001, and haven't turned back.

[NcongruNt]

II just thought I'd jump in because I just built and installed my new computer. I am running Ubuntu Hardy Heron version of Linux. There is much that I like about my new computer and there are some limitations.
It is fast !!! It boots up in 30 seconds. Watching the Vista crap boot is like watching water boil.

It installs real easy. Having multiple desktops makes thing a lot more organized.

I Bought my computer for $400 I didn't shop around much just ordered parts from TigerDirect. Not having to purchase an operating System saves a lot of money.

I haven't been able to get sound working. It could be broken on my motherboard. Research on the internet is pretty helpful.

I have 2 HP printers. A networked office Jet all in one, and an antique Desk Jet 930C. It was the easiest Printer configuration I ever did. No CDs No weird packages just a couple of menu picks and go.

I am still using my most commonly used programs Firefox and OpenOffice. I haven't yet loaded Wine and attempted to get my email program running. I'll work on that this weekend.

I'm finding that its all pretty intuitive and working on multiple workspaces is a lot easier. Mouse scrolling works a lot better than in windows or Mac. In someways the the nuances are a pain in the neck to install the OS I don't believe that Apple is as flexible on so much hardware and Installing MS windows isn't a bucket of joy either.

You'll also find that your computer lasts a lot longer than it would running Windows. Part of the reason Microsoft makes so much money is that every new version of Windows demands more and more system resources, while Microsoft drops support for each version of Windows after a few years, forcing people to get new systems when their old ones get slower and less reliable (as Windows inevitably does). Until a few months ago, my laptop was 9 (yes, that's NINE) years old and still doing everything I needed it to, all while running the newest and up-to-date version of Debian Linux (Sid). Also, all my applications are available with the operating system, so there's no purchasing office software (OpenOffice), graphics editing software (the Gimp), audio editing software (Audacity), video playing/editing software (mplayer, mencoder, VLC, Kaffeine), CD/DVD software (X CD Roast, K3B), or the like. Hardware problems finally spurred me to purchase a "new" laptop. The "new" one is 3-ish years old, and is more than sufficient for everything I do, and I expect it to continue to serve me for several more years. I kicked the windows habit in 2001 and have never turned back.

[NcongruNt]

Longtooth

As a tool it is marginally acceptable for use, the main drawback being that maintenance and support are either non existant or not mature (in business sense).

Oh I beg to differ on that. Coming from an environment where 60% of our 30,000+ customer servers are Linux, I'd say it is highly acceptable for use. I can see your point for many distros, but in an Enterprise setting Red Hat and Ubuntu (Debian) are both highly supported and once you configure the server to your liking, maintenance is almost non-existent. Both Windows and Linux have its place, but to say Linux is not ready for the prime-time is far from the truth nowadays.

Yup. My last job was as a sysadmin for a datacenter here in Austin (not rackspace), with over 2000 servers. About 70% were Linux boxes. Windows is not and never was designed to be a server platform. For companies whose focus is performance and efficiency, Linux (or BSD UNIX) is the platform of choice. Even Microsoft had to more than double the number of servers in place after they bought Hotmail to be able to switch from the BSD UNIX systems that were there, just to match the performance of the old servers. Companies who want to accomplish large-scale computing tasks efficiently and properly do it on a *nix platform (such as the above mentioned Google, Yahoo, etc.). For heavy computing tasks, Windows is inefficient in terms of hardware usage, power usage, reliability, and financial overhead.

Practically speaking, windows support is non-existant as well, unless you want to pay for it. Even then, the solution half the time is to format and reinstall the system. On a Linux system, apart from hardware issues, the problems are seldom catastrophic, and for those that wish to learn - can be self-serviced. Unlike the Windows OS, the workings of Linux and its related applications are available to look at and change.

The (very simple) parallel here would be similar to purchasing a new gun.

On a windows gun, you would be able to remove the magazine, load it, and shoot it. If it isn't working right, you could maybe pull the slide and clean the immediate parts visible. Field stripping would be impossible, no changing of the extractor or firing pin or springs, and the resolution would be to send it back to the manufacturer or service technician when it got too dirty for a disassemble and cleaning. This gun does come in lots of pretty and shiny colors, though! Going beyond the prescribed pretty colors to a custom finish or unsupported accessories will void your warranty until returned to original, though.

The Linux gun would allow you to completely disassemble the gun, with instructions and advice available to you online if you weren't sure what the problem is. You still have the option to bring it to a service technician, but wouldn't have to do so if somehow a piece of grit or grime was impeding proper trigger movement or the firing pin breaks or spring fails, etc. You can fluff and buff the gun, tighten its tolerances for accuracy and performance, or have a professional do this for you. You wouldn't have to work for the manufacturer or one of his business partners to become an expert gunsmith. The gun comes in basic or beautified colors/finishes, but you can refinish and add accessories as you see fit.

No, it's not a perfect parallel, but I think it makes a good point. And sorry, that was a lot longer than I thought it would be.

One of my big gripes (and at the source of some of the OS problems) is that people expect a computer to be a one time purchase, no maintenance or self-care needed.

I can't even count the number of people who came into computer shops I have worked complaining that their computer was "not working" and that they needed a new one. The computer itself was usually just fine, but their neglect to properly maintain it and mistreatment of the software caused it to fail.

People don't (generally) buy a new car, never change the oil, fill it with gas from a questionable source, never wash it, take it off-roading, give it to friends to use for unknown purposes, routinely run over curbs, never change the tires, toss garbage in the back seat and never cleaning it out, and then come back a couple of years later demanding that their car was defective, and that it should "just work", demanding a new one. When the dealership refuses, throwing the car away, and go buy yet another car from the same dealer, treat it the same way, and then act surprised that the same thing happens.

Yet people do this with their computers, downloading questionable programs from unknown sources, not running an antivirus program, visiting seedy websites, handing off the computers for friends to use for unknown purposes, never cleaning out the cases (with desktop computers), sitting it on the floor where it gets kicked, backed up by dust bunnies or in a cabinet with no ventilation. Then, two years on the computer isn't working right, and somehow it's the computer manufacturer that is at fault. Untold millions of people have went and bought new mouses, because theirs doesn't work right, without bothering to open up the little part where the ball is, to clean the built-up junk on the rollers.

Yes, there are computers that "just work" for the most part if treated properly physically. They're called Macs (with an OS built on BSD UNIX, by the way), and you pay a hefty price for that support. They still require proper physical maintenance. Returning back to the original point, Mac OS X is a UNIX variant, and LOTS of people use it daily with no problem.

Sorry for the rant. If you've gotten this far, thanks for listening.

[lawrnk]

Dead wrong on #3

[KBCraig]

One of my big gripes (and at the source of some of the OS problems) is that people expect a computer to be a one time purchase, no maintenance or self-care needed.

(...)

Yes, there are computers that "just work" for the most part if treated properly physically. They're called Macs...

Darn, you stole my thunder!

Although I must say, I've never fallen into the "just use it" category. I've always tinkered. My first job after the Army (1989) was as a sales rep for Computerland (remember them?), which I got based on my computer experience in the Army. (In 1987 they announced we were getting computers. Then they announced, "Congratulations, you're the squadron automation officer!" My only personal computer experience before that was in a class that used Apple ][e computers for word processing. Oh, well, I boned up, learned how PCs work, and figured things out.)

So anyhoo, I had been a fan of Macs since I first played with a friend's original 128k in 1984. It was further cemented when I sold and serviced both Macs and PCs 1989-90. I recognized the greatness that was there, but I didn't own a personal computer at home until 1995, when I bought a Mac Performa 6200CD. Over the next couple of years I maxed out the RAM, replaced the modem, etc., but it really wasn't expandable.

Then in 1999 I bought my second computer, which I'm still using to this day: a blue & white G3/350 that came with 64MB of RAM and a 6GB drive. I've installed/uninstalled various hardware (SCSI card, modem, HDDs, etc.), and today it is a G4/733 (max available) with 1GB of RAM (max) and 2x120GB HDD (max), plus I upgraded the optical to a SuperDrive (Panasonic 103).

The B&W came with OS 8.5, and I upgraded to 8.6, then skipped OS 9 while I waited for OS X. I downloaded and installed the first Public Beta of OS X as soon as it was available, and now I run OS X 10.4.11.

Since it's 98% an internet appliance, it's adequate, but has aged enough that even web browsing is slower than it should be.

I refuse to buy an iMac because I don't like the all-in-one format. This is only my second computer, but I'm on my fourth monitor (17" ViewSonic flat CRT). Two of the previous monitors died, but both computers still work. Having had a Performa, I dislike computers that aren't upgradeable other than RAM, so I don't want a Mini (but I would take one for $299, versus $599). And forget about a Pro, unless I hit the lottery.

I'm pushing for the MMMT: mid-ranged, mid-priced, mini-tower. Two HDD slots, four RAM slots (at least two of them empty from the factory), and 3 expansion slots. And as easy to open and work on as my beloved B&W!

If Apple doesn't come through in that regard, then in the next year or two I will probably buy a Mini or its replacement.

I should add that my wife has a laptop running XP, and my daughter has an XP box, and we have a hand-me-down box running Ubuntu (Heron) in the living room for guests and kids. As far as hardware reliability goes, I've had two Macs in 14 years, while my wife has had at least 6 PCs in less than 9 years.

Sorry for the side-trip.

[KBCraig]

Dead wrong on #3

Some context would be nice. To whom are you replying?