[prost]

My move from Windows to Linux/using big monitors
The last time I used this forum I was using Windows. I bought the parts to make a new quiet PC. I decided for many reasons I had to use Linux, which comes with virtually all of the software needed for all the files commonly used in Windows. I installed Linux (Mandriva 2007 which only cost me £4/$6) on my PC which has onboard graphics. It was easy to install & just about everything works great. I found that Linux uses generic drivers for most hardware, including the sound, onboard USB, serial port/broadband modems & display, so I never had to install any driver software at all (anyone wishing to use Linux can see what I did at www.linuxlinux.co.nr).

I installed Mandriva 32bit. I could have installed the 64bit version if I wanted to, but I needed to use certain Windows software using what's called Wine(Windows emulator). I do have a 64bit AMD Sempron cpu, but since I installed the 32bit OS I can't tell how much better it would have been, although I did read one review which said it was faster.

I have viewed dvd's which work fine. There's no spyware/virus problems either.

Linux automatically handles screen refresh rates. I found that Mandriva can use monitors with resolutions up to 1600x1200, flat screens up to 1920x1200. My motherboard's software drivers would never reach that much. And Microsoft, a commercial product, take little responsibility for writing generic hardware drivers. Even if the motherboard's XP drivers work with Vista, they probably won't with what comes afterwards. In the far future Linux will work with your current & older motherboard hardware.

Mandriva can take you through the wifi card set up if you have one. Linux comes with many printer drivers.

Linux will co-exist with Windows on the hard drive. I hear stories of people sticking with XP as they can't afford Vista, or 98 because they can't afford XP or using 64bit Linux because they're not paying for 64bit XP/Vista.

Mandriva & the other major Linux OSs come out every 6 months.

See
http://www.linuxforums.org/reviews/M...07_review.html
or http://www.linuxiso.co.uk/product_in...roducts_id=113 has a very impressive on-screen demo of the Linux desktop.

[RootbeaR]

Nice to turn on your computer and do what you want, immediately, eh!