Is Linux suitable for you? (1)

Part 1: What do you want to answer in Linux?
Can I install Linux on my computer?
Of course! But to make it work normally, you need to make some preparations-or even replace some hardware. A long-standing problem around Linux is hardware support. You may not be able to install Linux on every computer and expect it to work properly. For example, you may encounter a problem where the graphic display card cannot work normally in Linux, because some vendors do not provide drivers designed for the Linux graphic interface (XFree86, this situation has been greatly improved at present: the latest release of XFree86 provides support for all Graphics Accelerator cards produced on the entire pipeline of vodda-including GeForce 256-plus new graphics adapters from S3, ATI, 3dfx, and other vendors.
Modem is another troublesome source, but general external Modem and most built-in Modem can work normally in Linux. A device called Windows Modem (that is, the soft "CAT" we usually refer to) can bring us a lot of trouble. They are not very different from common Modem operations, but they rely on the CPU to complete the common Modem's own processing process. This makes their prices low but leads to conflicts with Linux. They can run well in Windows. Modem manufacturers are reluctant to disclose their secrets, so they refuse to provide sufficient technical information to open source code developers to help them create third-party WinModems drivers. Therefore, these widely distributed devices are currently useless in Linux.
In the past, Linux had limited support for Embedded printers. Currently, most Linux applications (and most Unix applications) are output in PostScript format, and only a few printers support this function. A tool called Ghostscript allows these applications to communicate with non-PostScript printers, but Ghostscript does not support all printers. After next year, the printer may change significantly because Corel has published the printer program for office components, in addition, HP has announced that they are developing Linux-specific printers.

How can I know that my current hardware supports Linux?
First, check the websites of developers of various Linux versions. Most of them provide a large list of hardware compatibility. For "cat", the best online resource is Rob Clarks's database page (soft "cat" is not "cat" -www.02.net /~ Gromitkc/winmodem.html); check whether your "cat" is supported by Linux.

Can Linux and Windows coexist?
Yes, of course. If you want to install Linux, but do not want to bring Windows out of the system, you can install Linux in a separate partition (most versions require about 500 mb of space ). Windows uses only one hard disk partition, but Linux requires at least two partitions. Before installing Linux, you need to use the Partition Magic tool to convert hard disk partitions. After installing Linux, when the system starts, a small program called LILO will ask you which operating system to start.
If you want to enjoy the stability of Linux and a variety of Windows software at the same time, VMware 2.0 can help you achieve this dream: it allows you to run Windows 9x, NT and 2000 in Linux, or run Linux in Windows 9x, 2000, and NT. It is implemented by creating a virtual PC in the primary operating system, then you can install the second operating system on this virtual computer (which is essentially different from the dual operating system ). Although the technology is not mature yet, you can run most Windows applications in Linux.

I heard that Linux and Windows are different. There is no standard GUI. Is this true?
Yes. The appearance and feeling of a window system are determined by the operating system itself: Windows can define the appearance of menu bar, scroll bar, dialog box and other elements. Linux does not provide any definition in this regard. The graphic user interface system with Linux is XFree86.
Currently, two most competitive desktop environments are GNOME and KDE. Apart from some differences in the software system, both of them provide a taskbar (an application console similar to a Windows-started menu) and a variety of small programs (Notepad, counters, CD players, etc ). The CorelLinux operating system and Caldera OpenLinux operating system come with the KDE Desktop Environment. Red Hat Linux and Linux Mandrake both bring these two desktop environments. The difference is that the default setting of the former is GNOME, while the latter is KDE.
Both provide a clean and simple user interface, so many Windows users can easily get started even if they have never been in touch with Linux before. The GNOME and KDE environments both expose source code.

How many Linux applications are available?
More than you expected, but less than you liked. Microsoft Office 2000 For Windows, the world's most popular commercial application suite, does not yet have a Linux version, and Microsoft does not intend to Port Office 2000 to Linux. On the contrary, Corel spent more than a year porting its Office suite WordPerfect Office to Linux. Corel's biggest goal of developing this Linux Office software is to gain the same competitiveness as Microsoft Office.
Although many software versions are not yet available in Linux, there are still a lot of open source code software available for selection. Therefore, even if Adobe does not plan to develop a Linux version of photoshop, there are still a lot of free software to choose from, such as Gimp (www.gimp.org) in terms of functionality, compared with Photoshop, there are even some features that Photoshop cannot provide. Similarly, your digital camera may not have a Linux version of photo viewing software. You don't have to worry about it. Go to www.gphoto.org to download a free GPhoto and try it. It can also be used to watch photos.
There are actually hundreds of Linux applications, but most of them are applicable for special purposes (such as 3D object modeling programs) and server-oriented (such as Robust Database ). In addition to the Navigator of the current Linux version, there are many optional email client programs and news reading programs ...... These applications run more stably than their Windows version.

: How can I learn if I have installed Linux?
: It depends entirely on what you use it. The installation of Linux is the most difficult part for Linux users. Once you overcome this obstacle, you have an operating system that is very stable, powerful, and ready for the Internet. With the GNOME and KDE built-in Linux desktop environments, you will have an easy-to-use and elegant interface, which is enough to envy those who use Windows. On the other hand, there is no drive letter in Linux, instead it is a single directory structure that contains everything.
If you use a computer to process a small number of core tasks-such as text processing, sending emails, Web page browsing, and so on-you will soon be able to adapt to Linux.
If you start some difficult tasks, you need to learn more. For example, changing the hardware configuration will cause you quite a headache. For example, if you like to modify the system for better performance and personalized interfaces, do not focus on your Windows knowledge. You need to start learning new skills and knowledge.

: Which version of Linux should I choose?
: It depends on what you use it. If you just want to see what Linux looks like, Corel Linux may be your best choice. Corel makes Linux easier to install and use.

: Linux sounds like a real prey. Do I need to try it?
: Ask yourself the question: Can your computer do what you need? If the answer is "yes", Linux will not make much sense for you in the near future. If the answer is "no"-because you want to create a simple Internet server, or you hate blue screen crashes that often occur in Windows-Linux is worth a try. Linux is still a "child", so it cannot be required by everyone.