Linux Question

[Gracey]

Hello,
I was wondering how i catch various signals in nix python so i can exit my programs gracefully? Please tell me.

Thanks

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[MilesAhead]

google is your friend

http://www.python.org/doc/2.3.3/lib/module-signal.html

[GR7]

Wondring, what is diffrence between Linux and Windows?

[doctorhardware]

They are 2 totally different operating systems.

[MilesAhead]

Wondring, what is diffrence between Linux and Windows?

Interestingly enough, they are both operating systems for PC architecture derived from OS designed for mini-computers. Linux is Unix paradigm which is heavy into multiple command line tools working together, later with XWindows GUI running on top. Windows was a GUI running on top of Dos with a memory extender until the requirements of newer PCs, mainly demand paged virtual memory, outstripped that design. So MS brought in guys who worked on DEC VMS operating system(the one running on DEC mini-computers) and reworked it from the ground up(Windows NT - add one letter to V.M.S. you get W.N.T : get it?) Unfortunately by then the PC landscapre was dotted with the carcasses of Drive Letter Backward Compatibility. They weren't able to discard the drive C: D: E: crap without breaking all the software for Dos and Windows already out there. So next time you create a partition and it changes all your drive letter assignments around or you try to mass move programs from C: to D: you'll see the main drawback of the drive letter scheme.)

There was some talk for awhile about just saying to hell with all the Dos/Windows 16 bit apps out there but that didn't last long. Too much money invested in programs already running. So Windows had to have a "Dos box" that would run all those old Dos word processors or whatever.

[doctorhardware]

I was not sure if I should get that technical on the differences of the two operating systems for the PC.

[MilesAhead]

I was not sure if I should get that technical on the differences of the two operating systems for the PC.

I just think it kind of amusing that the most popular OSs for the PC both come from mini-computers. I guess the "short answer" on the difference between the two is "about $200"

[Poetepes73]

Linux Question

I have winxp on my computer now and i was told that linux was much better then winxp im not that computer savy and would like to know if this is better then xp. If it is how would i go about converting and is it hard to use?

[simpo]

Wondring, what is diffrence between Linux and Windows?

Linux is free.

Windows is not..

[MilesAhead]

I have winxp on my computer now and i was told that linux was much better then winxp im not that computer savy and would like to know if this is better then xp. If it is how would i go about converting and is it hard to use?

"hard to use" mostly depends on what system you came from. Most Linux distros now install so that you boot up to XWindows, which is a point and click Gui with icons etc..

The 2 things I always looked for are: a) is the distro very compatible with my hardware? Most distros have a "hardware compatibility list" somewhere that you can find on their site that lists stuff like hard drive and controller, video, scanner, DVD burner support etc.. If you choose a distro with a major piece of your system not supported you are making it hard on yourself. b) can I run the software I want to run most on it? By searching and asking you should be able to find out if that program or something very similar is available. Sometimes you can run Windows apps using the WINE windows emulation that usually installs on many of the newer distros.

If compatible and you have broadband, I'd recommend Mandriva. It has a single disc install. It sets up the system, then you choose more stuff and it downloads from the internet.. so you need broadband.

It will likely be some learning curve. There's no way to predict if you will like it. One thing is text editors are quite different than Windows style. But you can get Open Source Office type applications for word processing and spread sheet etc..

Generally I'd say, you have to know more to configure Linux, but once set up it usually doesn't blow up. Check out nntp newsgroups(usenet) for lots of newsgroups about Linux. There should be some dedicated to the particular distro you are thinking about installing. Some may be able to warn you about pitfalls. One warning though, they are generally not into hand-holding as much as Windows BBS type forums. But when I was into Linux you had to know more scripting to set the systems up. Now it may be a bit more relaxed as more "outsiders" are on than a few years ago.

edit: also when I was getting into Linux, the Internet(tm) was really exploding so there may have been some backlash toward clueless types coming on and wanting people to do their setups for them. It's likely not as hostile now. I just mention it since you can get off on the wrong foot in a Linux forum a bit easier than on most Windows boards.. again, the gap is probably a lot less exaggerated nowadays.