[SLUG] Mandrake Installation on a Thinkpad

From: Frank Roberts - SOTL (sotl155360@earthlink.net)
Date: Sun Jan 12 2003 - 20:09:40 EST


On Sunday 12 January 2003 20:05, Frank Roberts - SOTL wrote:
> Hi All
>
> Sorry this post really is directed to one person as a continuation of the
> conversation we were having at the Tamps meeting.
> I believe half the people at the meeting were a party to it because one of
> us was on one side of the room and the other on the other side.
> Unfortunately I never got the individual's name so I can not send this
> private.
>
> Anyway the topic of discussion was installing Mandrake 9.0 on a laptop.
> Here are some of the major issue that I have encountered (in order of
> relative importance).
>
> 1. The Mandrake configuration programs assume that the computer is only to
> be connected to one internet source. This means that the configuration
> programs refuse to accept the idea that for a notebook one may be able to
> connect to a DSL line in one location and a dial up line in another
> location thus the notebook can only be configured for one or the other
> easily. There once was a program in RH called usernet (probable in Mandrake
> too but no personal knowledge of that) which allowed one to connect to
> either a dial up connection or a DSL line but not both at the same time.
> This program does not exist in Mandrake 9.0 and no replacement has been
> found. At least the people on the Thinkpad list don't volunteer that
> knowledge if it does exist.
>
> 2. The Think pad can only be configured for one mouse. Well I have two
> mice. The first one is the stick PS2 mouse in the middle of the keyboard
> and the second is a standard USB mouse. MS Windows will let me use both.
> Mandrake says one or the other. Now that is not one or the other depending
> on which one I choose to use today but one or the other period. No
> switching.
>
> 3. Being polite installation is a bitch. What is the problem. Simply too
> many packages and poor organization on Mandrakes part. For example oriental
> languages are located in the graphs section and western languages are
> scattered through the menu of programs. Back in the RH 7.0 & 7.2 days the
> easiest way to do an installation quickly was to click everything to
> install and then delete what was not wanted. That is a formula for failure
> with Mandrake. In fact most likely the system will not install. Why? Too
> many conflicts. The best way to install is to do a minimun personal install
> of the Mandrake selected packages. That is select the things that ones
> wants as a minimum from the Mandrake selection and then install that. If
> there are more package desired add them later one at a time. after checking
> that the system will run and shutdown. Be very of what you select from the
> network menu. If for example select Samba-Server then when you try to shut
> down the program stops with an error message NSF file system busy.
>
> 4. Printers are another fiasco. Print drivers for notebook printers leave a
> lot to be desire in print output. To my knowledge there are 3 and only 3
> notebook printers 2 by Canon which are really the same printer from a
> software point of view and one by HP. None of the three have good drivers.
> They will print B&W but color well maybe but most probable not the correct
> collors and definition is definitely a problem.
>
> 5. Then there is the modem issue. There are linux drivers for some
> Winmodems usually Lucent Technology's before they were sold which go from
> bad to horrible and there are no linux modems drivers for a lot of
> Winmodems. The situation is absurd that IBM linux communication programmers
> have told me in emails that IBM can not obtain standard modems buying them
> in 100,000 unit lots but I was able to purchase one at CompUSA and Best
> Buy. Recommendation is even if you can get a Windriver to get rid of the
> Winmodem and replace it with a real modem. Prom a programming point of view
> you will be glad you did.
>
> Thanks All
>
> Frank

6. Well I almost forgot number 6. I do not know about your computer but on my
Think pad definitely DO NOT use XF86 for 3D. If I do I can guarantee screen
problems.

Thanks
Frank



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