Ah done with Linux.

[riverlime4so]

I really like Ubuntu, and a lot of other flavours of Linux, (especially Mint),
But the downer for me was Internet access.

Specifically, the extreme hassle to get Linux to work with my wireless.
I have about five USB dongles that I bought specifically to get one to work with Ubuntu, Mint etc.

The best experience I have had was with PCLinuxOS.

Just too much hassle to get working.

I am not very versed in the Linux command line method of doing things.
Don't need the hassle. I just want to get to work, rather than scouring the Internet for arcane solutions
to what should be a straightforward thing for an O.S.

That is why Windows 7 works for me.
I.e. It just WORKS, out of the box.

Windows didn't have a driver for my adapter, but offered to go online and find a driver. It did. WHAM! I'm online.

If someone here knows of a method to get wireless working PERMANENTLY, WITHOUT 10 hours of command typing and Internet research, then I'll give it another go.

I suspect, however, that I am whistling in the dark here.

Believe me, I HAVE tried. For two years. No more.

Linux, I love you, but you're too high maintenance.

[BW]

people like you should just get an ipad and give up on computers

[riverlime4so]

You just don't get it, do you?

I guess you is the biggest computer expert on the planet, and have no patience for the poor sods like us.

People like you should just shut the eff up if you have nothing to contribute (which is the case here, since you don't have a clue as to what I am talking about.)

Jerk.

[BW]

see if you had an ipad you wouldn't be so angry

[riverlime4so]

See, if you could write proper English, you wouldn't be such a loser.

[Sirius]

Really, people?

Anyway. It seems Linux has always had some issues with wireless adapters. You should not have too many issues with the latest editions of Ubuntu but failing that your best bet might be to pull down ndiswrapper. That basically allows you to use your Windows network drivers on Linux.

I have always said that Linux is very nice, but it is still not yet ready for the mass consumer market. It's getting there, but it's not there quite yet. Your experience demonstrates quite well why I say so.

For the time being it is best suited to enthusiasts and servers.

[BW]

burn

[riverlime4so]

Yeah. I guess it's not quite ready for prime time. But I like the operating environment.
It's low on system resources, and in my opinion, looks better than Windows.

I use Wine to run Microsoft Office (rated bronze on the Wine compatibility list, but I never had any installation problems).

I use Access in my day-to-day work, and Linux's meagre demands on my system allows me to do all sorts of database manipulation that sometimes brings Windows to its knees.

Perfect but for the Internet access.

The ndiswrapper works, but on my system, its performance leaves a lot to be desired.
I think it's time for a new rig.

[SilverEagle]

For linux based workstations, I've had good results with adapters that carry generic chipsets like the RT73 and the RTL 8187B series. They're not suitable for configuring linux as a gateway/wireless router though.

Yeah, it can be frustrating to get wireless (among other things) working properly. But if you do, the effort usually worth it.

[riverlime4so]

Tell me about it.

The wireless does work. It's just that it disconnects whenever I place any load on the connection.
If I do not use the Internet, it stays connected.

When I reboot into Windows, everything works as expected.

[deathwinger]

Windows is the way. For anything, from content consumption to production. Mac is decent but not the most desirable.

Linux is when you just want to play with an experiment. After that, you should go back to one of the other commercial OS. :)

[Sirius]

Windows is the way. For anything, from content consumption to production. Mac is decent but not the most desirable.

Linux is when you just want to play with an experiment. After that, you should go back to one of the other commercial OS. :)

Not true at all. Do not confuse consumer products with production products. In intense production environments you will find that Linux and Unix based operating systems are often the order of the day and that graphic production houses swear by their Macs.

Case in point: Redhat is not a product to play with at home. Yes; it's Linux.