Tech Smartly

So after reinstalling windows, hunting down drivers, and setting everything up properly, I realized that all I really needed in windows was steam. Since I had a fresh reinstall, that would mean I had to download and install everything. I’ve always wanted to try Linux, but it was always impractical, since I had some stuff installed that I needed, and it would take ages to get everything working smoothly on Linux. But now, with a fresh reinstall, why not install Linux as well? I downloaded it as I was working with the sound card drivers, and as soon as everything was working properly, I burned it onto a DVD and started it up.

The installation was pretty easy. I was able to understand mostly everything, and it was able to partition itself without touching windows. The only problem I had with it were the packages. As a first time Linux user, it was very confusing, and I didn’t know what everything did, and I wasn’t sure which ones I would most likely need or not. There also seemed to be a limit to the amount I could install, which sort of caused some issues. When I started installing all the packages, it seemed frozen. I clicked cancel, and nothing happened. After a couple of minutes, it started installing the packages, but then it canceled. It went back to the list of packages, but it was empty. It installed them properly however in the end. Apart from this, it was quite smooth.

I logged in, and it looked very clean and visually appealing. I saw 5 icons on the desktop, 2 which had to do with Mandriva which I deleted, since they weren’t useful. I was left with Home, Trash, and Storage Media. Basically, from here on out, I set about configuring everything to my liking. It took me a while to find out how to get Compiz working, until I realized that I had to get the proprietary drivers for my 8800GTX. I am still figuring out how to get Compiz-fusion working, or maybe it is and I don’t realize it. I downloaded the package, but I didn’t notice anything new. The effects are very nice, and it’s not just eye candy as it does do some useful things, especially with the multiple desktops. It is a very different environment, but it feels very flexible. Installing applications is as easy as looking through a list and selecting which ones I want. Updating is done for everything. It has only been my first day since installing it, so I still have a lot to learn, like tarballs. There is also a lot of programs that are 64 bit. I never realized that there were so many.

I do not really notice any difference between 64 and 32 bit. But then again, I’ve never used 32 bit linux, so all I can really go by is how much faster Linux is compared to windows. I did have one big problem however, and that is to do with flash. Come on now Adobe, can’t you make a version of flash that is 64 bit? The problem is not going to go away, as more and more people are going to use 64 bit machines. It is unfortunate that I can not do many things now, and until I find a workaround, I can’t even see the youtube videos I embedded on my site! Hopefully, adobe will get it’s act together and release 64 bit flash soon. While I wait for you, Adobe, I’ll be spinning my desktop-on-a-cube, while I watch a tropical storm on my desktop. Oh, did I forget to mention it’s free?