That depends. With new computers or old? With laptops or full blown computers? And are we happy/content with an older OS without an outdated kernel and outdated hardware support?
If you are using newer hardware it would be flat out stupid to even try Mandrake 8.2 and limit yourself to an outdated kernel in an outdated OS.
A perfect example is the on-board Highpoint 372 "WinRAID" chipset on some motherboards. Try using Mandrake 8.2 with this Highpoint chip turned ON in bios. Kernel panic. You can't even install Mandrake 8.2 if HPT is ON in bios. Kernel panic. But Mandrake 9.0 works perfectly. I would never suggest an older distro to any new user simply because it can't handle the new hardware they might have.
Why was this test initiated on a laptop? I personally don't think that a laptop is a very good testbed for comparing linux distros. However, I still think Mandrake 9.0 has much better support for laptops than 8.2 ever had, particularly the display.
As for the missing Xkill icon, the command is xkill and the icon is still there - Applications -> Monitoring -> Xkill. I assume they hid it because new users didn't know how to stop it from closing their open windows. Regardless, I never used it much because half the time all it did was hide the window and left the app running in the background. Use CTRL+ESC for 100% accuracy.
I don't know... this review was a little disheartening. I tested all 7 pre-release versions of Mandrake 9.0 and any one of them could have single-handedly beaten Mandrake 8.2 to a pulp.
Sure you have to tweak it a little. Nobody likes defaults. And the plugins... most of plugins that were mentioned are NOT freely distributable under ANY terms, or they are proprietary with 65,000 word EULA's. And, just like our beloved Windows - they aren't included in the distribution. You are comparing a free OS to an 8,000 lb gorilla that finally decided to include their own plugins - but only for some stuff.
As for installing those plugins, it's no different in Windows NT or Windows 2000 Pro, or Windows XP Pro - only the administrator can do it normally. The same holds true for Linux.
I must agree that the install process is normally much simpler in Windows, but that goes back to the monopoly and that most companies have developed exclusively for Microsoft platforms for eons.
I don't expect brand new users to be able to install everything, it's just too overwhelming. But Mandrake 8.2 was no better, so that's not even an argument against Mandrake 9.0. At least Mandrake 9.0 finally ditched that crappy, buggy Netscape 4 and replaced it with a browser that actually works - Mozilla.
If you have a better overall experience with Mandrake 9.0 than Mandrake 8.2, then something is terribly wrong.
I would like to see a fair review using a normal computer instead of a laptop. Just remember that if you use an NVidia card, due to NVidia's Corps. "CLOSED" nature, the drivers are still proprietary and they have never attempted to make a nice installer for their drivers under Linux. Again, it boils down to the fact that most companies are only worried about Microsoft "ease of use" and compatibility.
Regardless. If you think 8.2 is better, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I personally feel you reached that conclusion based on too many factors (laptop testbed, closed/proprietary plugins, etc) and 8.2 was no different in that light.
The bottom line is this: Mandrake 8.2 is no easier than 9.0, and Mandrake 8.2 is definitely NOT better than 9.0. The rest is up for you to decide. Do you want and older OS that only supports older hardware? Or do you want the newest OS possible AND support for all of your new hardware? You get a 100% STABLE OS either way, so it's your call.
Mandrake 9.0 is the first Linux distribution that I've ever tried and thought: "My God! They finally did it! Someone has finally created the first Linux distro ever that can honestly be considered a true 'Windows Killer'!!!".
If that's what you want, I offer you Mandrake 9.0 Windows Killer Edition (well, that's what I'm calling it heh)<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)
A million CONGRATS to everyone at MandrakeSoft - YOU DID IT!!!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
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Mandrake 9.0 vs. Mandrake 8.2 for new Linux users
Posted by: sgt-d on October 02, 2002 11:55 PMThat depends. With new computers or old? With laptops or full blown computers? And are we happy/content with an older OS without an outdated kernel and outdated hardware support?
If you are using newer hardware it would be flat out stupid to even try Mandrake 8.2 and limit yourself to an outdated kernel in an outdated OS.
A perfect example is the on-board Highpoint 372 "WinRAID" chipset on some motherboards. Try using Mandrake 8.2 with this Highpoint chip turned ON in bios. Kernel panic. You can't even install Mandrake 8.2 if HPT is ON in bios. Kernel panic. But Mandrake 9.0 works perfectly. I would never suggest an older distro to any new user simply because it can't handle the new hardware they might have.
Why was this test initiated on a laptop? I personally don't think that a laptop is a very good testbed for comparing linux distros. However, I still think Mandrake 9.0 has much better support for laptops than 8.2 ever had, particularly the display.
As for the missing Xkill icon, the command is xkill and the icon is still there - Applications -> Monitoring -> Xkill. I assume they hid it because new users didn't know how to stop it from closing their open windows. Regardless, I never used it much because half the time all it did was hide the window and left the app running in the background. Use CTRL+ESC for 100% accuracy.
I don't know... this review was a little disheartening. I tested all 7 pre-release versions of Mandrake 9.0 and any one of them could have single-handedly beaten Mandrake 8.2 to a pulp.
Sure you have to tweak it a little. Nobody likes defaults. And the plugins... most of plugins that were mentioned are NOT freely distributable under ANY terms, or they are proprietary with 65,000 word EULA's. And, just like our beloved Windows - they aren't included in the distribution. You are comparing a free OS to an 8,000 lb gorilla that finally decided to include their own plugins - but only for some stuff.
As for installing those plugins, it's no different in Windows NT or Windows 2000 Pro, or Windows XP Pro - only the administrator can do it normally. The same holds true for Linux.
I must agree that the install process is normally much simpler in Windows, but that goes back to the monopoly and that most companies have developed exclusively for Microsoft platforms for eons.
I don't expect brand new users to be able to install everything, it's just too overwhelming. But Mandrake 8.2 was no better, so that's not even an argument against Mandrake 9.0. At least Mandrake 9.0 finally ditched that crappy, buggy Netscape 4 and replaced it with a browser that actually works - Mozilla.
If you have a better overall experience with Mandrake 9.0 than Mandrake 8.2, then something is terribly wrong.
I would like to see a fair review using a normal computer instead of a laptop. Just remember that if you use an NVidia card, due to NVidia's Corps. "CLOSED" nature, the drivers are still proprietary and they have never attempted to make a nice installer for their drivers under Linux. Again, it boils down to the fact that most companies are only worried about Microsoft "ease of use" and compatibility.
Regardless. If you think 8.2 is better, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I personally feel you reached that conclusion based on too many factors (laptop testbed, closed/proprietary plugins, etc) and 8.2 was no different in that light.
The bottom line is this: Mandrake 8.2 is no easier than 9.0, and Mandrake 8.2 is definitely NOT better than 9.0. The rest is up for you to decide. Do you want and older OS that only supports older hardware? Or do you want the newest OS possible AND support for all of your new hardware? You get a 100% STABLE OS either way, so it's your call.
Mandrake 9.0 is the first Linux distribution that I've ever tried and thought: "My God! They finally did it! Someone has finally created the first Linux distro ever that can honestly be considered a true 'Windows Killer'!!!".
If that's what you want, I offer you Mandrake 9.0 Windows Killer Edition (well, that's what I'm calling it heh)<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)
A million CONGRATS to everyone at MandrakeSoft - YOU DID IT!!!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
A screenshot of my desktop is available here: http://www.sodpit.com/x/sgt-d.png
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