Re:Linux on the desktop is still a PITA (Score 0)

This script [ubuntuforums.org] should install Flash on your 64-bit Feisty without any problem. Flash is installable by default in the upcoming Gutsy version (Ubuntu 7.10).

Things are getting easier and easier in Ubuntu. mp3 codecs are installed automatically the second you try to open an mp3 file, graphic card drivers are installed for you when you first boot up the system. Flash works practically out of the box on every Ubuntu flavour.

I still laugh when people tell me that Linux is hard to use. Yeah, Gentoo is hard to use. But the most popular distros have made leaps and bounds in the last 5 years. A comparison:

After a fresh Ubuntu install on my PC:

• Graphics card is fully functional after a simple two click confirmation of restricted driver install.
• Audigy 2 soundcard works perfectly.
• DLink network card works perfectly.
• Audio players and movie players are installed already.
• Open Office is installed and ready to work.

All this takes 25 minutes, from the time I insert the install CD into the drive, to the time I am booted and logged in to my installed OS.

After a fresh install of Win XP:

• I have to find my graphics card installation CD to install the drivers.
• I have to find my SoundBlaster CD to install the soundcard drivers.
• I need my DLink disc to install the NIC drivers, which can't be downloaded off the internet without a functionning network card, of course.
• I spend a few minutes downloading and configuring iTunes/Winamp
• I then spend another 5-10 minutes installing MSOffice, typing in a very long activation code.

All this takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.

I'll stick with Ubuntu, thanks