Anyone ever used Lindows?

[rickenbacherus]

No it isn't for me but rather my dad who is driving me insane with the constant phone calls about how to ungoof windows. I've had it! At least with Lindows I'm thinking I could ssh in and fix stuff myself. Ever tried to talk a 60 year old first time pc user through anything over the phone? I'd rather have brain surgery.

As I understand it Lindows runs winapps but on Linux. What about a winmodem? Do they work w/ Lindows or do I still need to get a serial modem? Thanks.

[abouzeis]

Good question about the winmodems, you should be able to compile the linuxant winmodem source your self. but i'm not sure though.

[aay]

Ever tried to talk a 60 year old first time pc user through anything over the phone? I'd rather have brain surgery.

LOL!

As I understand it Lindows runs winapps but on Linux.

When Lindows was first announcing that they were going to produce a new Linux distro, they claimed that it would be able to run all (or nearly all) windows apps. Since that time the lindows people have really distanced themselves from that claim. they basically use wine (with perhaps some modifications) to run their windows apps. anyone familiar with wine, knows that it certainly won't run all windows apps, but will run some of them fine.

What about a winmodem? Do they work w/ Lindows or do I still need to get a serial modem? Thanks.

Check out this page: http://www.lfriendly.com/

It is maintained by the Lindows people and has some helpful info. I notice that they list only one modem compatible with linux! Doesn't look like they have done much to help out in this area.

Just make sure that you realize that in order to use Lindows click and run method of installing new programs, you have to fork over $99.

Of cource since Lindows is debian based, I understand that you can also modify your /etc/apt/sourses.list file and just use apt.

[jeramy]

If you're willing to pay for a Linux distro, you're probably better off with Libranet(the latest version charges), Xandros ($99? and comes with Crossover Office), or doing a Knoppix HD install and getting Crossover Office.

(I wonder if you were running Lindows if you could use apt on their sites without forking over the cash?)

It all depends on what Windows apps are on it that he wants to use.

BTW, with Knoppix 3.3, I ran Deus Ex better than it runs in WinXP (no HW acceleration though), and Fallout 2 also ran flawlessly.

As for the modem, either check out http://linmodems.org/ or search a newsgroup and pick up a HW modem for $10-15.