Quote:
Originally Posted by frabjous
Now, let's all calm down. It is important to respond when someone has a problem to point out that that problem isn't typical. Otherwise other readers may assume that what goes for one person goes for all.
Anyway, I run Ubuntu on a dual monitor set up all the time. For a long time I dual booted that system with both Windows and Ubuntu, and Ubuntu is definitely faster, especially with compiz disabled or running LXDE. With full Compiz and GNOME, it's still faster than Windows. This is with a relatively modest ATI card. I can't remember the precise model. (This is my work system; at home now.) But I did have a lot of trouble trying to use an external projector monitor with a NVIDIA driver for linux with my laptop with Compiz enabled. (With the open source driver, I didn't have a problem, but couldn't do any fancy effects.) NVIDIA seems to neglect their linux drivers somewhat.
Nonetheless, I don't think anyone would suggest buying a new video card in your case. If linux can run on low-end hardware, then it should run well on yours, dual monitors and all. Probably there's just some configuration mismatch which might be solved with a bit more research. Yeah, it is a downside to linux that sometimes you need to research things yourself. With its low market saturation, and no professional support staffers doing these things for you, you can't expect that things will always go smoothly out of the box. If it's too much trouble, that's understandable.
Those are most common when you're just setting things up. Many of us consider it a virtue of linux that it doesn't prebundle everything, so you download exactly what you need and nothing else. This does mean that you'll have to download a bunch of stuff right at first to get what you need, and since installing new software must be done as administrator, you're always entering your password to do so during this early phase. Once you've "settled in" to certain programs and certain routines, this goes down quite a lot. It takes weeks if not more to get there, not days, however.
Different strokes for different folks. I love all the choices, and I also like trying new things. But since it's almost all free, very easy to install and very easy to uninstall, there's no risk in trying something, finding out you don't want it, and then trying something else instead. When you have to pay for most of your software, then you need to do your research before you buy, and if you choose wrong, sorry!
Linux is never going to overcome a lifetime of being used to one thing in a day, unless of course you were very dissatisfied with where you came from. I was very dissatisfied with Windows. The constant upgrade treadmills, the constant fears of malware -- and just as often -- software bundling tricks, hidden software running in the background taking up memory (even stuff with no malicious intent) and similar annoyances one constantly had to be the guard for.
And of course, I had other reasons for disliking Microsoft, which I won't go into unless asked.
But Linux isn't perfect. I spent a good portion of the day figuring out how to partly rewrite a printer driver for a network printer at work so I could use job accounting with it, since the linux driver xerox offered didn't have the same features as the windows and mac driver. Of course, that's really xerox's fault, not linux's, but it's the kind of thing that could easily keep people away. But I do think it is important to support the open source movement and make sure there are always alternatives to what the big software giants are trying to force on us. If nothing else, the presence of a free alternative should benefit even those who go in the other direction as well, by forcing prices to be lower elsewhere.
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Thanks for the effort, frabjous. It's been a long time, about 15 years, since I've tried Linux (Red Hat then). Everyone was going on about how much they liked Linux that I thought it about time to try it again.
I'm fully convinced that the incredible slowness was the driver for my video card, and said so twice.
There was indeed much that was refreshing in Linux compared to Windows.
The annoyance with all the times I had to input my password was acknowledged in my first post when I said that time would take care of that problem. It seems that everyone has skipped over that line and focused on other aspects.
Looking for new software, Windows or Linux, can be a problem. There is a great deal of it out there, and not all of it is good.
A problem with the Linux software that I was installing was that a lot of it required downloading other software to complete the install. The WMA to MP3 software that I mentioned before was one instance. I do understand the reason for it, but was surprised how often it occurred.
Yes, I had difficulties. Yes, they would have been overcome the more I used the OS. But I saw no compelling reason to switch from what, for me, works well. Were I given a top of the line Mac today I would probably try it out for a while and then give it back. Not a problem with Macs. I just have something that works for me now. Sure hope no Mac fanatics read this, or I'll be in even more trouble.
Let me say this about attitudes. A rabid attack dog response is more likely to drive away possible Linux converts than an understanding and "how can I help" approach.
I for one, am far less likely to try it again.