An installation thought.

[Xanayoshi]

Often as I roam through forums looking to misinform myself I come across installation issues with "took too long" somewhere being described in the process. This amuses me greatly as there is nothing quite so quantum as Linux in that you can do a process with the same variables and achieve different results. I am also curious as to where the reference for installation time is being attained as I never see a timer counting down, although an estimate is indeed given sometimes. I have installed Windows countless times and I can't ever remember thinking to myself "Wow, that was quick!" afterwards, before I proceeded to download 248614 terabytes of security updates.

[ninjawarrior]

When it comes to installing Linux, I think Quantum mechanics applies quite appropriately! I also believe that windows users, are more apt to believe, that there is an Einstein ordered and structured way in the installation process. You know, put in the install disk, fill out some form data, sit and wait, then fill out some more data, then pull out the install disk and restart download updates.
Well I am no expert, but Linux is kind of like that- but the installation process doesn`t have to be.. you can make the installation process as easy or as long as you want to. Then there is updating the kernal, possibly updating the video drivers, or not to!!! For me Linux installation could be less than an hour, or I could spend as much as half the day updating! Then again, I could add on a whole week of time just customizing the desktop interface!
But when I compare my experiences windows to Linux, I have found I don`t mind one bit the chance I might create a personalized machine, out of pure chance! Only because when I learn something new from somebody else I can possibly add something new to my system. But don`t get me wrong, what might work for you, may or may not work for me. But what the heck!!

[BBOSAK2143]

With Linux is about the first 5 to 10 minutes have to fill a few things out. Sidewinder(win) a little here a little there and waste the entire time "babysitting" it! Then after is all loaded(inc personal stuff) the following day you might boot up and before you get that welcome screen 10 to 20 minutes have elapsed from waiting for updates to install! This is another reason that swayed me from that beast! I live out in the country and at times need to get on and off quickly as chores await! Is a real drag when the time planned to spend with the computer was only 10 minutes and now turns to 1 hour, due to the ineptness of an OS! With Ultimate, due to the brilliance of it, updates come in as they come in. They are not saved until they bury you and waste your time! An average update with Ultimate is about 20megs. An average saved til burial with sidewinder is at least 200! Would be great if they took into consideration those of us with slower download speeds. Verizon wireless smokes, but we all know cable beats it! I have also been on Linux distributions with close to the same effect. 10 minutes after you're running, the little update manager comes up with a big surprise! Surprise! You have 1000 updates available!!!! Yeah am kidding but is close have been on a few where nothing happens for a few weeks then slam, 200 updates at 300-400megs! Very very grateful Ultimate has "a heart of Gold" by giving these updates here and there in increments! Can't beat that for anything!!!! Also during the update process in Linux it is still usable. Most times since sidewinder comes in before welcome screen, you are left "dead in the water" awaiting those updates to finish! Very rarely does Linux make you reboot after an update. On those rare instances is because of updating the kernel. Once again the system is still functional, not wasting time! Few years back with sidewinder(XP) we were privy to using an unnattended setup. Now that was alright! Setting up one of those disks didn't take much time at all! Sure was nice to just hit enter and walk away and let it do its thing! Since that time they abandoned the unnattended setups. Why? Beats me! The fastest Linux distribution I ever saw load was a Chinese distro called "YLMF 4". The entire system loaded in about 12 minutes and was quite functional! Unfortunately, the new kernel laid it to rest(R.I.P) Currently, they went in with STARTOS and load time is about 15mins. Of course is a bit behind since they don't want to venture to Gnome 3.Fastest OS to load period is Haiku, coming in around 7 minutes. Once again is only in the Alpha stage so is not an everyday system! Least with Linux all you have to do is put your name, location, username password and timezone. Not a big deal to fill in for 10 minutes. No long long serial number waiting to be entered after enduring the long install! Most times I get some chores done during an install such as Ultimate. I mean, you know Ultimate needs no "babysitter" and knows how to load! So yeah will just go do a few things and come back and is ready to roll! Just have to put drivers in and a few programs, good to go!!!! Love it!!!

[Xanayoshi]

Verizon Wirele$$ will eat your $oul. It is the ONLY cell provider in my area and to make it so it's not so expensive you have to hack your cell to death. No big deal but if you have a hardware problem you better know how to restore. There's a fun installation thought. Installing an Android system to factory conditions with a questionable battery.

Note to people who may try to do that. Don't. Go get another battery. Make sure it is charged.