[Digikam-users] Some linux questions

[Paul Verizzo]

I know this isn't about digiKam, but the fact is that I look on the 
folks in this list serve as being good, intelligent sources on linux 
matters.  Instead of posting to some generic Linux site and getting all 
kinds of answers from idiotic to disdaining and occasionally helpful, 
I'd like to ask your thoughts on the following questions.  Please 
respond back channel paulv (you know what) paulv.net

Thanks!

The questions are,

1.  If I have a hard drive with a working linux distro on it, and I want 
the hd to have other distros in addition, do I need to have separate 
partitions for each distro?  What about the swap partition?

2.  I been using Thunderbird since forever and Netscape mail before 
that.  I have YEARS of archived emails based on Netscape/Thunderbird 
file types.  However, I have kept my TB version at like 2.6 because of 
the newer layouts wasting monitor space.  Redundant functions.  I'm 
willing to poke around and look at email alternatives within Linux 
clients.  Ideally, easy to import Contacts and super--ideally, able to 
open Netscape/Tbird archived files. 

3.  What about my Nokia phone?  I've been using the Nokia SW for years, 
changing with the phones over the years.  I'm presently using the Nokia 
E90 Communicator and I prefer the Nokia PC Suite over their monster Ovi 
for connecting the phone to my computer.  Once upon a time (Nokia 9000 
series) recognized Outlook, Lotus Notes, and other PIMS, but it's down 
to Outlook.  All my contact info is in Outlook.  I know that I can pay 
$40 to get Outlook ported to Linux, and I'm willing to do that if I can 
have the non-Outlook functions that PC Suite gives me, i.e., managing 
images, making my phone a modem, etc. Thoughts?

3.b.  Related to the Outlook issue, I see I can get Outlook for Linux 
from Codeweavers for a nominal $40.  Any experiences?  Poking around the 
intertubes, I see there is the Virtual Box alternative, too.

4.  What about my Canon printers?  I have an iP4300 doing office type 
printing duty and from what I've dabbled, CUPS is fine for that.  But so 
many of the color/quality types of settings aren't available (unless I 
just didn't see the possibilities). I also have a Canon 9000 MK II wide 
format "pro" photo printer.  That one, I need full control of. I've seen 
some Canon Linux drivers on searches, but it looks like another morass 
(swamp) of distro availability, compiling, etc.  Please don't advise 
buying different printers!

For those of you following my foray into Linux, here is my conclusion: 
All OS's suck.  In one way or another.  I just had to reinstall Windows 
7 onto my netbook because of fatal burps despite not much use.  But when 
I try to install EasyPeasy Linux, designed for netbooks, issues.  Won't 
install. Sigh.  Jus' saying.

Paul