Something like a boxed Suse has been a decent alternative for average users for 5 years, imho. Average meaning somebody that doesnt game and isnt tied to any specific software.

Ubuntu, Fedora, and the other "free" linuxes will always be a bit fringe and for slightly advanced computer users as you dont get manuals and need to install bits and bobs.

Its a moving target tho, this elusive "average user". It might be in ten years that well say that linux is almost ready for the average user as its cappuccinos are a little less foamy than Windows Shasta.

I dont think editing the average config file here and there is a bad thing either. Would be nice if most folks didnt hve to do it, but the fact that youre able to is to me more of a sign of a serviceable OS rather than one where the hood is welded shut.

Quote from: sdpIts pretty good, give it 3-4yrs and itll be a viable alternative to windows for average users.

Certain distros I think are ready for the average user now (my parents are completely computer Illiterate for example, yet I still got them happily installing PCLOS.)

I agree though that certain config files could use better GUIs however. (CUPS, the common unix printing system for example, is a mess IMO.)

wow dave. thats really quite pointless lol.

with your response linux give me the freedom to custumize everything. i loathe command line. and i spend as little time on it as possible as i have the technical ability of a carrot.

however. linux forfills my day to day needs exceedinly well. so much if i was given the choice between someone paying for a new machine would have to stick ubuntu on it as it would feel odd wihtout it.

also i have to use osx and xp. but prefer osx/ubuntu just for its freedom

seems the majority thinks there is nowt wrong with XP & linux is more of a hobby

Quote from: Daveseems the majority thinks there is nowt wrong with XP & linux is more of a hobby

I voted for it but thats not why.

Theres nowt wrong with either of them Id quite happily use either interchangably, dont have a favourite of the two just I use them as and when I need to

Who cares what the majority thinks? Reality isnt decided upon by consensus. This is a case of the blind men trying to describe an elephant.

The majority of the internet runs on Linux. Guess thats one massive hobby.

XP has tons of "PC hobbyist" mags at the local news stand. What does that mean?

You can have a family car and trick it out. Duh.

Quote from: Daveseems the majority thinks there is nowt wrong with XP & linux is more of a hobby

If you have XP then there isnt anything wrong with using it, but Linux is no longer a hobby, its a realistic, minimal cost alternative for those who dont want to pay the Gates tax. Plenty of companies are saving a lot of money by using it instead of Windoze.

It also runs better on lower spec machines and thre are plenty of versions so you can basically get a made to measure version almost off the peg.

The question could have been better worded

The question is a bit trolly.

Its an OS. I like it better. I wouldnt use XP on a day to day basis even if somebody bought me a copy of XP Pro. Ive got XP home on me other drive and its never really been a PITA, but its never really been all that fun either. Never had a virus, but I hate having to run a bunch of software to ensure that.

really tho, the reason I like Linux more is the more complete set of wing-dings.

http://static.flickr.com/46/114297120_1999f30b5e_o.jpg

Maplins use Linux and gnome for their POS.

Dunno what version and other software though. Noticed a couple of months ago

Quote from: brummieMaplins use Linux and gnome for their POS.

Dunno what version and other software though. Noticed a couple of months ago

I saw a POS system at a home furnishing store last year with the same setup. RedHat most likely.

Burlington Coat Factory, which is a hooge clothing outlet over here, uses Linux + custom POS software.

Im not aware of any commercial POS software tho. Would be awesome for ma & pa restaurants as systems like "Positouch" are way overpriced.

up untill i did my avce in it i thought pos system is piece of sh*t.

worth a go tho

Quote from: maximusotterUSB plug and play has been flawless on most distros for years. With Ubuntu, gnome-volume-manager allows you to choose what happens when different varieties of devices are plugged in.

Tried a few distros about six months ago and it was an issue then.

QuotePerhaps your motherboard has problems? If your device mounts as mass storage, it should and will automount. It its a device with proprietary drivers like the awful Kodak cameras, usually gphoto will deal with it.

Nothing wrong with the motherboard, just tried some new distros and they work fine but the older ones still dont.

Quote from: SeriousTried a few distros about six months ago and it was an issue then.

You havent tried very hard then cause i havent had issues for ages.

It could have been just my setup but when I searched I found several other references to problems with USB memory devices. It works now though.

Pity it doesnt recognise my 1400*1050 resolution notebook screen but thats being just picky...

Quote from: SeriousIt could have been just my setup but when I searched I found several other references to problems with USB memory devices. It works now though.

Pity it doesnt recognise my 1400*1050 resolution notebook screen but thats being just picky...

I had the same problem with my notebook. cause it was cheap and cheerful