The Pitfalls of Using Linux

Now I dont know if i should be complaining about linux or the proprietary software I am trying to install on it.

Have been through every major distro, but is seems the later the version of the software the more unlikely it is to install with no issues.   For example I can install the software on version 5.6 of CentOS no worries but try to use version 6 and it crashes out with the mysql install.  The proprietary software installs its own version of all the needed MYSQL, and has major issues with the way that works on the newer distro's.  I can only assume that, that is the reason for my issues.

Lots of people ask if Linux is a real alternative to windows.  The answer is both yes and no. Windows out of the box is ready to install apps and runs full multimedia devices no issues at all.  Its primary issues are based around the fact that it is realitvely insecure and you need lots of extra software to make it do what you want it to.  For exanple to word process effectively or recieve email stored on your windows machine you have to add third part or proprietary software.

Linux excells on the security sides of things and it comes out of the box with word processing and email clients.  99% of the sofware you could want to install is free and is available through the package manager.  It falls down however once you want to do something out of the ordinary.  Like installing proprietary software.  With lots of dependencies it can get very complicated very quick.  Unforutantely a lot of the times this means going to the command line to do things.  90% of the people would get lost here and revert back to windows.

Its a major issue having to use command line and I think that its something that desperately needs to be addressed if any of the distributions want to be taken seriously as a windows alternative.  Mum and Dad users dont want to run bash commands to install their software they want an auto install where they have pretty load instructions.  Not command lines of text.

Anyway I will continue the search for the best solution, I know the earlier version of CentOS works so we may end up there.  It may be a while till I post again have been very busy doing all this and it does take hours