I think most people who have trouble with GNU/Linux distributions just expect it to be like Windows. Like ScottJC said
On the other hand, Windows is easy to make slow - you go mad installing and before you know it you have a bunch of crap in your system tray - but thats easily remedyed with msconfig.
So using msconfig is simple? Is it easily discoverable? Would someone who has never used Windows before know where to find it, how to use it, and when to use it?
Not to talk about spyware, viruses etc...
If you really find XP slow then either somethings wrong with your computer or you just need to do some cleaning and tweaking.
Right, that applies to Linux too. The rules are different, the methods are different, but essentially you need to make some adjustments to any OS before you can be really productive using it.
On Windows, you need to install:
- All your software
- Drivers individually for all your HW.
- Windows Updates
- Video codecs
- etc.
Very little of that is automated. You have to reboot after many of these steps. Installing updates to the OS itself is tedious at best, as many updates must be installed one at a time. You have to intricately know exactly what HW you have, and exactly where to find updated drivers.
How is that simple and straight-forward?
Compared to that, I'll take a Linux distro any day. One click upgrades for the *whole* OS, including all the software. Easy software install, minimal amount of reboots. Drivers that come with the OS. A lot less hassle from my POV.
And if you had to compile lots of things, look for another distro. Personally I can recommend Kubuntu. You can order a free CD
here.
Note that delivery will take a while, as the next Kubuntu release is scheduled for a June release. In the meantime, you can download the current version and try it out. I recommend trying the LiveCD first, so if you absolutely abhore it the only thing you lose is some time and a CD-R...
