The best way to get help is to go to a Linux usenet group or forum and say "Linux sucks because it can't do X". You will have experts falling over themselves telling you fifteen different ways to do X.
Why have I never thought of that? :banghead:
Oh, another though. I'm sure you can find a Linux Users Group somewhere in San Francisco. Or if you are in college, there may be one there. Enough geeks in those to help you with whatever you need.
It is free, but so is Windows or Mac when you buy it with a computer.
TANSTAAFL. The price of the OS (sometimes known as the "Microsoft tax") is built into the price of the box. Moreover, if you don't want Windows, it's darn near impossible to get the PC maker to knock the price down.
Exception: It's possible to buy PCs without an OS, but this is usually done by large institutions. Ditto having them delivered with your own custom disk image.
- NF
I know it's another operating system that's simpler and customisable and free, however that's about it.
Simpler than what?
The guts of Linux are easier to maintain for a longtime geek with command line skills than any bit of RedmondOS. Also quite a bit more satisfying (fixed stuff tends to stay fixed, as opposed to randomly breaking again for no good reason).
So, it looks like I want to use debian as my distribution, because I'm going to be wanting to use it on a mac box.
As long as it is a fairly recent Mac (imac or newer). And, BTW, once you get past the partitioning, Debian on a Mac is exactly the same as Debian on a PeeCee.
As far as partitioning, probably the Debian installer will handle it for you OK. I always do that part manually, because I have my way I want things to go, but there are automatic options.
Ubuntu's security model is like OSX's (no root user, run admin stuff with sudo).
It is free, but so is Windows or Mac when you buy it with a computer.
TANSTAAFL. The price of the OS (sometimes known as the "Microsoft tax") is built into the price of the box. Moreover, if you don't want Windows, it's darn near impossible to get the PC maker to knock the price down.
Exception: It's possible to buy PCs without an OS, but this is usually done by large institutions. Ditto having them delivered with your own custom disk image.
- NF
OK, I'll give you that.
But when PC's are going out the door for $200 for a complete package, or less, I can't believe too much of that goes to MS for licensing fees.
On the other hand, someone had to put the time and effort into Linux. Someone is paying, just that that someone is not you.