"CentOS is an enterprise class GNU/Linux distribution based on the publicly available source packages of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Just like RHEL or Debian stable, CentOS focuses on stability and security, sacrificing the 'latest and greatest' packages. Is CentOS 5 really that stable? And does it fit on the average Joe's desktop? This is what I'm gonna find out."
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Member since:2005-07-06
Read the article, especially the part about the missing codecs.
Joe User should never be expected to search and install them himself.
Centos, is overkill for an average users desktop, and it should be used purely for what it is designed for, a drop in replacement of RHEL.
For a Joe User desktop, try...
http://linuxmint.com/index.html
Member since:2006-09-14
I am running Fedora Core 6 and have no problems with it at all. I have configured all of my multi-media along with codecs so I am able to drop in a DVD movie in my Compaq Presario 900 and it will play no problem. I can play windows media, quicktime, real player and so on.
You can do the same thing with CentOS in fact on my website I am writing write will host all of the howto's to get it going correctly.
I have no need for CentOS 5 because I like the cutting edge Linux distro OS.
Everyone has their own thoughts of what distro they run that is what makes the Open Source movement so flexible and a place for anyone to call home and of course 'Joe' he is welcome to!
Member since:2006-01-14
Well I cant play dvd's out of the box with Windows, so whats the damn difference? Same with quicktime. You think that the Red Hat people sit back and laugh thinking about how we have to go through the trouble of getting codecs third party? If it was legal, both Windows and Linux would ship with all codecs needed. And no one said you had to install every single package that comes with the distro. There is a "desktop" install section for package selection.
This story reminds me about some of the people I see at school. Arguing this way and that about which linux version or which BSD. ITS ALL THE SAME SOFTWARE! Apche only puts out one version for people. Same with Php, Perl, Java, MySQL, and every other project. DOesnt matter if you compiled it yourself or not. Its all the same source code. Everything beyond that is just user preferences.
Member since:2005-11-18
Centos, is overkill for an average users desktop,
The average desktop user does not want to reinstall every year. While it seems that Mint wants to provide LTS in the future, they have not yet earned any credibility in that area. Who knows if they are still around in two years? RHEL and CentOS are supported for seven years, and have committed teams to make that a reality.
For average Joe a box has to be installed once, and run for many years.
Considering codecs: it depends. I know many home users who don't care about codecs. They use their machines to send e-mail, type documents, and browse the web (Firefox will offer to install Flash when needed). That's pretty much it. If you want the codecs, you can use a repository like RPMForge with just a few clicks. Though, it is a good idea to use repository protection with protectbase or priorities.
Member since:
2006-01-14
Why not? All I normally add to Fedora is mplayer, xine, and flash. All of those will be available on Centos5 if they arent already. Plus, you get a nice desktop that doesnt change every 6 months. I like fedora, dont get me wrong, but upgrading all the time gets tireing. Plus, commercial apps like VMware run on CentOS 5 out of the box. Can't get much better than that.