Fedora Core 3. Review on Red Hat Linux

Nobody loves Open Source! At least that seems to be message you get if you go through the posts on Linux in Mouthshut. There are very few of them, and the posts are far separated by time!

I have used Linux as a second OS (operating system) in my computer for the last 5 years. When I started off, it was Red Hat Linux 7. Then I went through versions 8 and 9. Thereafter, Red Hat hived off their free offering as Fedora (a different type of Hat!). I dutifully followed Fedora through the 3 versions released till date, namely Cores 1 to 3.

Over this period of time, the version of Linux offered by Red Hat/Fedora has matured a lot, and I feel that soon it may be able to offer a real competition to Windows. So let us see what more they have to do, and why it is still not a front-line OS.

Obtaining Fedora Core 3

You can download the software from the official website, https://fedora.redhat.com/ provided you have a really fast internet connection. Fast, because the entire download comes to nearly 2 GB. If you have s DVD writer, you can download a DVD ISO image. Otherwise, you have to get 5 ISO images for the 5 installation CDs. Once yo have downloaded the ISO images, burn the DVD or CDs with an utility like Nero Burning. An alternative would be to get the software from the free DVDs issued by magazines like Digit, or to borrow the installation CDs from a friend who happens to be a Linux nut.

Installation

Since most people will be new to Linux and would want to try it out before ditching the tried and tested Windows, the Linux installation comes with a disk partition utility and boot loader which will allow you to keep your existing Windows installation. Just put the first CD and start the computer, and the installation starts, very much like a Windows installation. Once you have allocated disc space and chosen the software that you want to install, sit back and relax. Put in the additional CDs when they are asked for, and restart the computer when it is all done. The latest version auto-detects most of the hardware already installed on the computer, much like Windows XP

Using FC3

FC3 is a snap to use, and the desktop resembles a Windows desktop. You have to get used to the little quirks that Linux exhibits, but most of the time you will not have any problem in finding your way around. One of the irritating things that has been carried over from the text-based OS days is that you cannot eject a CD or DVD ROM unless the device is unmounted by right clicking on its icon and selecting unmount or eject!

The installation includes Open Office, an excellent office suite, GIMP, a Photoshop look-alike, and various games, media players and so on. They may look a bit different, but most of them work just as software does on Windows.

Problem areas

Modems: The biggest problem is finding compatible drivers for most of the internal modems sold in India. It might take days, or even weeks before you manage to get the correct software, and sometimes, it is a useless quest. It does not help matters any that each version of FC3 (or any other Linux installation) requires a different driver. However, most LAN cards are picked automatically, and you will not face any problem with used a cable modem or an external device that connects to a USB port. Reliance phones that use a parallel port are a problem, as the driver provided by Reliance on their website is buggy, and has to be recompiled by an expert before it can be used.

MP3: Due to licensing issues, no software comes with MP3 support, and you have to download small bits of code that enable the players to decode MP3. Once again, the problem lies in finding the code on the net.

Accessing Windows partition from Linux: If you have a FAT partition, things are easy, but if Windows is mounted on NTFS, you may be able to read the files stored there, but cannot write to files stored in Windows.

Up2date: The automatic updater that comes with FC3 leaves a lot to be desired, and you may have to get something else, like apt, to do the OS updating (similar to Windows Update)

Trouble shooting: You may find help in the various Linux forums online, but occasionally you will get stuck somewhere, and unless you have a Linux savvy friend, your only hope is a re-installation. But remember, this is the scene with Windows as well, only difference being that more people are knowledgeable about Windows!

Advantages

FC3 Linux is easy to install. compared to the days of yore

It auto-detects most modern hardware, and installs drivers automatically

It has an auto-updater

Less prone to virus and trojan attacks.

Easy to configure boot screens, shut-down screens etc (free downloads available)

Installs quicker than windows, and installs all required software in one go

Fairly good graphical user interface

Free