Fedora Core 6 review (Software In Review) Desktop use and more

Posted Nov 9, 2006 9:51 UTC (Thu) by lsatenstein (guest, #34741)
In reply to: Fedora Core 6 review (Software In Review) by mcastell
Parent article: Fedora Core 6 review (Software In Review)

My work day is spent using a propriatory operating system. I have linux at home.

Does Fedora or any Linux distribution provide a good desktop operating environment? I have only one answer. Definitely.

Here are a few additional comments, and it comes down to human behavior.

When you start with a distribution, and work with it for a while, you become a loyal fan. I tried UBUNTU, SUSE10, Mandriva and a few others, but except for one distribution originating from Japan, I could not find a compelling reason to switch. I did not remain with the Japan/English version, simply from a concern about support. Yet this distribution tackled an area that is lacking in all the distributions mentioned in this response. That area was the "network neighbourhood" concept, and guified easy samba use.

Now, I can throw eggs at any distribution. I can complain about broken YASTs, broken Yums, about other installation programs writing onto disks that I unchecked from the install list, about installing an incompatible version of GRUB, and so many other disturbing distinctions. Yet we all know that once one overcomes certain hurdles, that we become accustomed to the screen layouts, to the strengths (and shortcomings) of that distribution.

I love Fedora Core6. It does everything for me. True, I have two or three web sites to thank for handholding my initial efforts at installing "non-public" multi-media interfaces, for helping me install databases and for giving me an insight into linux capabilities.

Fedora Core6 and its two predecessors have never crashed my system. The preoccupation with testing, and with ensuring that any "extras" package integrates well should be appreciated. Give praise to the developers and support staff.

Regarding UBUNTU, it too is a fine distribution. Had I started with it first, I would possibly still be with it. But I started with Fedora Core4, and have entire satisfaction. Why change 4 quarters for a dollar.

I write code for a living. I do have a technical background. Yet, my grandaughter (age 5) knows how to log onto the system, to start the games she enjoys, and also to use firefox to visit her prefered web sites. She cannot as yet read or write. So, is Fedora, or for that matter, any Gnome based system ready for the desktop? I think that my answer again is a "definite yes".