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How long till linux is ready for the desktop?

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You know I really want to leave windows, but Linux does not support any of my hardware, including my MS wireless router lol! So how long till linux has great hardware and driver support? Do you think linux on the desktop is a serious threat any time soon? Any idea what distro will be the main threat? Thanks again, Prem.
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I've been using linux on my desktop machines since 1997. However support for new devices always tends to lag behind a bit. I highly recommend Debian because it is easy to keep up to date, has many packages, and disseminates security updates quickly.
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Thanks Cris, that's interesting that you say Debian. Some people swear by Redhat, some Mandrake, some Suse, and some Debian. I guess I'm happy to see competition! Although I am unsure of my decision to switch. I am hesistant because my sony cd burner, lexmark printer, belking usb hub, hival webcam, iomega zip drive, and most importantly my Microsoft USB Wireless router and its wireless nodes are not supported for linux . I don't think any of this hardware will ever be supported especially MS stuff . I wish it could, but I can't just get up and buy a new router to get on the net. That sucks. Thanks again Cris, Prem.
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I have no problems with my CD Burner or IOMega Zip Drive. I am curious as to what the problem is the the USB hub. I don't see any reason why Linux would have a problem with this. Well, depending on your Dristo or more importantly you Kernel version.
I have been really happy with Mandrake. I am getting ready to give Debian a try just to see how well you can keep it updated. Although, Mandrake has a really nice upgrade module. Similar to Windows Update.
As far as your primary question. I believe that Linux is as Desktop Ready as it will ever be. It kind of reminds me of the same state Windows NT was in when NT Workstation came out. A Driver nightmare.
But the problem is that hardware vendors are not keeping their linux drivers up to date or they aren't making any at all. Thank God for NVidia. So you have to rely on people like you and me to develop drivers ourselves and then distribute them. Of course we don't get paid to do that.
But I will say that as far as Drivers go I have had little to no problem at all with Mandrake.
Your router problem confuses me. I have a linksys router but I didn't have to install any drivers for it. Of course I have it connected to a cable modem (still no drivers) as your situation may be different. Why does MS require you to install drivers for their router on your PC? Router's are a piece of hardware. You shouldn't need anything special on your PC. But we are talking about MS here too aren't we.
[ February 02, 2003: Message edited by: Gregg Bolinger ]
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