KNoPPIX 7.02 and Fedora 17

Tried a new distro after a long time. PCLinux 2009 is still the one I use. The spartan KDE interface and excellent design of the GUI make this the best distro.

I'd found the KDE4 eye candy too decadent for my taste. Changing the default file manager from Konqueror also seemed irritatingly dumb.

I was hoping to be surprised by the latest distros.... alas.

One thing that struck me about using the latest distro is the advances that LXDE has made since the last time I tried it. It seems perfect for someone not too keen on eyecandy. LXDE is the default DE in Knoppix and initially I was under the impression that it was KDE that had been tuned down.

Gnome has gone the KDE 4 way. IT is really sad to see folks spend so much time on eye candy that they forget about functionality. I didn't have the patience to check out Gnome because every thing seemed frustratingly out of easy reach.

KDE4 still is as annoying as I first saw it. But, spend a lot of time on cutting out the flab and it is satisfactorily spartan.

KNoppix specific irritants :
1. Restarting the DE used to be Ctrl - Alt- Bkspc. This is the shutdown combo in Knoppix.
2. KNoppix is not designed for laptops since there is no way to configure the touchpad. One can't use the tap, double tap feature, only the button press is recognised.
3. A truck load of games are installed, and there is no option to prevent these from being installed in the first place. Knoppix is a hobson's choice and the only option is to free up 12 GB of space for it, even if you end up with 6 gb of stuff you will eventually uninstall.
4. No firefox out of the box. Tried using iceweasel and konqueror and they both were nightmarish experiences. Tried downloading opera, and iceweasel for some reason would interrupt the downloading and would not offer the option to resume. Konqueror doesn't have a window where the download progress can be checked.
5. Loads COmpiz by default. WTF. This and the games overload leads me to believe that knoppix is directed at teens.

Fedora 17 specific issues
1. Connected with wvdial but could't go online. The wvdial status window shows the ip address etc, but ping doesn't work and no webpages open.
2. Tried creating a connection using network management, and while this cuts off the modem (the modem displays the connection ended message), the wvdial window shows no change in the connected status.
3. Network management doesn't connect using modem, eventhough it can be configured. Unplug and replug to mak it work.
4. mp3 files not playable out of the box, also no codecs seen for download in repositories. Amarok the app in F17 can't play and also can't find required addiional software to download automatically.


NEGATIVES COmmon to Knoppix and Fedora 17
1. Power management controls are messed up. Configuring the power button to switch off the monitor or hibernate doesn't work - it shuts down the system. Hibernation is possible by explicity choosing the option from the Shutdown menu.
2. Decreasing the lcd brightness all the way to minimum doesn't work. You have to set it one notch above the minimum for any effect to be seen.
3. wvdial is messed up. Had to go online to find a cure, which involved updating the libwvstreams package.
4. wvdial is messed up, but no one cares about wvdial per se, rather the need to go online using a modem. So, it would seem appropriate that someone in Fedora would suggest to people seeking a resolution to the wvdial issue, to try connecting using the network management applet.
5. The network management applet is quite powerful. I could go online with my Nokia 6230 using Tata docomo 2G out of the box.
6. The KDE menu is all messed up. The significantly better menu design of the previous versions is much in need. I really don't see how Linux will survive on the desktop with such inane GUI design. KDE and Gnome are seriously fighting for the worst design title.
7. Installtion routines have become seriously retarded. No way to select packages, no way to choose grub entries.
8. Keyboard for some reason has become quite unresponsive. The board works fine in Windows, but in Knoppix and F17 typing in the usual speed leads to lost characters. Frustrating.
9.

PLus points COMMON:
1. Shutting down is superfast. In Fedora 17, under 10 seconds!!


Got the CD and DVD from zyxware.com. Why bother downloading or buying a computer magazine? Excellent people who deserve a pat on their backs for what they are doing.