On Friday 11 January 2002 15:09, you wrote: > I am by no means a Linux, or Windows, expert. > > I am a Linux (and Windows) user and while I personally think Linux is the > best thing since sliced bread it still poses problems. > > For one; installing software. It is a pain. You have to unzip your > tarballs, unpackage your RPMs and whatever else you do with Debian and > start installing. In many cases you have to compile the source code and > then install the binaries. (If I am understanding the process right.) > > Under Windows it was usualy a simple process. You got your file > 'bloatware.exe' you double-clicked on it and presto it was going. > > Note: I am not saying that the Windows method was better, only that it was > easier. > > For a newbie (Myself and those you want to convert to Linux) this is a > stumbling block. > I am a newly converted Debian user (not all my boxes run Debian, for the most part they run Slackware, but they might just be running Debian soon). I know where you are coming from. It does take time and effort to learn how to compile and install software. If you can get past the Debian installation process without a hitch, a wonderfull world awaits you with: apt-get install pkgname I was blown away by its ability to completely upgrade the box I was setting up from an old set of Debian CD's I bought online in about 15 minutes (w/ a cable modem). Some questions get asked if you are setting up a new server (i.e. mail server or the like), but the questions asked are no more difficult than the ones asked in a typical MS proggie install. No bloatware, just the package and it's dependencies (the dpkg even allows you to substitute other packages to satisfy some of the requirements, but I am not proficient at dpkg yet). I can install a new game for my daughter on her machine at home (Debian) box from anywhere I have a net connection and an ssh client on a floppy... Try doing that on a Windows box from a remote location! Just so darn happy with Debian that I had to share with everyone!!! :-) Kelly Black KB0GBJ