Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Recent Developments .. Feb 2000 by Roger Davies Soft Serve Direct Magrath, Alberta T0K 1JO Phone (403) 388-4332 Email  news@ssdirect.com Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec

Roger and Adrien

indows replacement options.

Can't afford to shell out $140+CAN for the Windows9x software (or $200+CAN for the new Windows 2000 Professional operating system)? Faced with expensive hardware upgrades to be able to run Windows? You want options? We have addressed some of these in past issues, but I have been playing with actual working alternative systems over the past few weeks that have some compelling features (and the occasional drawback). Available options depend on the class of machine that you have. (We are assuming that you are not inclined to go out and purchase a brand new hot PC system with a preloaded Windows system, since you said you can't afford the Windows CD by itself ..)

NEW DEAL: Say you have an old 286 or better PC and just want to step up a bit. You want to be able to access the internet and do basic word processing and run other home applications. Adding in a brand new ISA 56K modem is easy and relatively inexpensive (<$100), but Windows98 won't even think of running on a machine without 486DX66 and 16M of system RAM and 100+MB of hard disk space. Then you have to get Internet Explorer or comparable program running (which may need more RAM and hard disk space ..) So .. one solution is New Deal Office R3 (see www.newdealinc.com).

Incredibly, New Deal Release 3 software (retail cost about $80Can) runs on DOS 3.3+ machines with minimum requirements of 286+ CPU ,640K+ RAM, 9MB+ HD Space, CGA+ Video and can coexist with or even replace other Windows versions. Our test machine was a lowly 486SX25 with 4MB Ram and 120MB hard disk, barely able to run Windows 3.1. Of course, it runs somewhat faster on a more powerful machine.

• Features: The New Deal desktop can mimic Windows9x look and feel and includes several basic applications including word processing and internet access programs.
• Drawbacks: you will be limited to DOS applications that will run on this computer platform (no, you can't run Internet Explorer 5 or that Windows 9x game). Also, WinModems won't work (because they rely on Window 9x software to operate the modem ..).    

LINUX: Specifically the new Corel Linux OS (free* or retail cost about $60Can when bundled with WP8 for Linux) , a subset of the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. You need a Pentium class PC or better to run this software plus 24+MB RAM, 500MB HD Space, 2MB PCI Video, a Mouse and a CD-ROM drive.

Traditionally Linux has been the domain of propeller heads, in spite of it's reputation for power and stability, due to the arcane installation and (re-)configuration procedures. Corel addresses this problem with a simple 4 step automatic detection and installation process, and new graphical file manager, control center, and internet update applications. The default KDE desktop is intuitive and easy to use. Most users will never need to exit to the cryptic Linux command line mode (although it is down there for the brave and adventurous to use). With WP8 and Netscape automatically installed you will have little need to install additional software for standard office applications.

• Features: Free, Open Source (not limited to a single installation), customizable, easy to use.  
• Drawbacks: Linux versions of commercial software are only starting to appear. Learning curve for DOS/Windows users to Linux can be daunting. Some hardware (i.e Linux drivers for said hardware) not yet supported (e.g. WinModems). Documentation is incomplete.

Linux and related applications that run under Linux are works in progress. They are rapidly developing thanks to hundreds of volunteer programmers but progress is subject to unforeseen delays - after all .. they are only volunteers. There is also a uncomfortable number of choices of programs available for each program category. The 'best' choice is not always obvious. Staying close to the standard Corel distribution is recommended.

Promising future applications (e.g. the WINE project) are under development to permit running of existing Win32 applications directly on the Linux (and other UNIX) O/S machines without need for recompilation. However, in our testing we were unable to get any results other than 'Segmentation Fault' when attempting to run this program. Corel has promised assistance in completion of this particular project which we believe is key to breaking the flood gates of unhappy Microsoft Slaves to Windows users. We will keep an ear to the ground.

*Corel Open Source Linux is free (downloadable from the internet or direct from Corel on CD for modest shipping fee) and can be installed on any number of machines without royalty. 

External Links: linux.corel.com, www.debian.org, www.gnu.org, www.fsf.org, www.kde.org, www.netscape.com, www.winehq.com.

Revised: June 23, 2001 Design Copyright 1996-2000 by Roger Davies for Soft Serve Direct (SSDirect - Computer Consulting, PC Sales, and Service). Permission is granted for individual use and reproduction provided that this document remains intact, with this copyright message clearly visible.

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