I was told today from a very reliable source that with Vista, you will have the option to pay $50 a year for Microsoft's antivirus protection...

I have issues with that.

What is Microsoft's incentive to make a bug free system if they stand to make billions on AV subscriptions?

This has really made me wonder about this new "advanced" OS. I am going to do some serious research on Linux distros to see if all of my hardware in my media PC is supported. If it is, then I will take the plunge. I do not plan on doing it for my game PC, as none of the games are compatable.
My goal:
I want to have a fully operational media PC that I pay absolutely NOTHING for the software, and yet will still do anything I want. This includes:
1. Watching television
2. Burning all types of media.
3. Streaming all types of media
4. Creating any document that I need. (easy with Open Office combined with Thunderbird).

If I am successful, I will post it here to let the world know. I will also post my failures.
This may be the straw that finally turns me from the Gates Empire.

Can any of you suggest to me the most user friendly Linux distro?

To be continued....

I won't get it until they release Service Pack 1. By then, usually most of the issues are pretty much worked out and a newer is on the shelf.

Okay, I have decided that Mandrake Linux will be my OS of choice. I will see if I can get a copy of it running soon.
What kinds of free programs will I need?
Come on you Linux folks, this is your time to convert a Gates sheep!

Gee do ya think people who use Windows would be dopey enough to shell out $50 for an antivirus prog made by the same company.

Nevermind I retract the question.

I'm going to take a giant leap here and say that this "anti-virus subscription" will create more issues than it will solve.

Phase 1: The Jargo Linux Project.

I have decided to download a version of Linux that boots entirely from a CD or DVD. It is called Knoppix. http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

I am also starting to download Mandrake for the final conversion.

The reason that i am downloading Knoppix is that since it boots entirely from CD, I can see what, if any, problems I may encounter when I clean Windows off of this computer. I simply load up the CD. Boot the computer and then do my thing with Knoppix without having to install a single file on my hard drive.
Tres cool, no?

Maybe some of you folks would like to give it a shot?

Captains log stardate 21406.830.
Decided to download the DVD ISO of Mandrivia linux. 2 Gigs is a lot of information. This may take a while.
I am feeling a little scared at the thought of this Linux deal. What if I can not find the drivers for all of my hardware? I should not be afraid, as I can always load up Windows again. I just want to see if I can do this.
The other thing bothering me. Will people think I am insane for writing my post in the Star Trek style?
If all goes well, i should have Linux installed this weekend.
To be continued...

First Officer's Log Stardate 21406.850.

The Captain is making me nervous. I don't know if it's just me and the fact that this will be the first review I've ever gotten while being stationed here under him or if this is my training kicking in and there is really something wrong with the Captain. Red Alert is only as far as the weekend is away. The rest of the Windows crew can feel the tides of change rising as well. Can this........new.......different..........operating system actually work? Is it................really going to......replace............the current OS? Is it ............OK........ that I'm talking like the Capatin now? Yes!

It is only logical that Linux is the wave of the future. I am surprised that you have not tried it as well, Number One.

Sup Jarg,

Try Mepis (http://www.mepis.org).

It is a live CD that you can install on your HDD later. I have run Mandrake myself. I have tried many a distro and always end up with Mepis on my HDD.

It is Debian based so you have apt-get and a HUGE software base pre-compiled and easliy installed.

Trust me on this one. It will save a lot of headaches.

The live CD will let you check for hardware issues. Usually older is better. Bleeding edge stuff usually has driver issues.

Games can be tough under Linux. Wine works but takes skill and good hardware. Muy RAM is needed and a good processor. 1Ghz need not apply.

Hmmmm theres 2 linux users that use these boards that have not posted 1 may not be around but the other should nnnnnn then again maybe not ???

D.M.

Thanks Pebkac. Now I have a question.
I assume Mepis is a smaller sized distro much like Knopixx. Is it as fully functional as, say Mandriva? That is one of the reasons that I chose Mandriva. Also, I hear that it is the most user friendly of the bunch. This has to be taken into consideration as I have only piddled with Linux in the past. (Red Hat)

Now check this out.

http://www.transgaming.com/products_linux.php

If the media PC is successful, then maybe the gaming PC could be next.

The best thing is Debian based distros (like Mepis, Knoppix) have more software and easier to install than anything else. Nice forum community also for both Mepis and Knoppix.

What about a full Debian install? I hear that it is a little tougher than Mandriva. Is that correct?

Also, in light of this new possibility, I have postponed D-Day for the media computer. I want to make sure I have considered all options.

Jarg's Linux Project Phase 2.

After a LOT of consideration, I have decided to go with Red Hat Core as my distro of choice. I am about to log off this computer and install it.
Wish me luck.