Linux Users ... Give me your input

[Kristy]

Ok, so I am in the market for a new computer. Yes I'd love to go with mac, however I don't have that much funds to drop on a computer right now

So anyway, I have the option of Vista or Linux.

I have not used either, well I have used Linux, but it was so long ago, and not enough to really sway me either way.

So which do you, or would you prefer?

Is there any MAJOR pros or cons to either?

Is Linux easy to learn for one who has mostly worked with Windows?

Thanks

[Nate]

Linux is free. And although I've never used it, I would choose it over Winders.

Since Linux is free - what I would do is buy your computer (or build it..whatever) and set up a Dual boot system. That gives you the option to boot into which ever system you're more comfortable in for a particular task.

[Morphie]

there are versions of Linux that are extremely easy to become familiar with. If macs fell off the planet somehow, i would be a Linux user again.

The versions I liked best include Knoppix, Debian, and Ubuntu, in that order. I didn't use Ubuntu very much before I got into macs, or else I might have moved it higher in the list.

[Nate]

For a person - such as myself - who has no idea about different version of Linux, what's really the difference in those? Is it just a different version - such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc? and then we have Leopard, Panther, Tiger, etc. for mac.

What's your reasoning behind each version? newer? more goodies? security? wha?

[m00kfu]

I've used Linux off and on for about ten years now. It's a LOT more user friendly now than it was when I started out with it back in high school. For someone just switching over from Windows I would recommend Kubuntu. It's an off shoot of Ubuntu, just a different user interface mainly. The part that is most confusing for new users is what Nate was asking about -- the different distributions. They all use the same base, which is Linux itself, but package different programs and interfaces with them. Some are source code based distributions, which means they come with just the source code and you compile the entire operating system yourself on your machine when you install it. Others use specific interfaces, such as KDE or Gnome, which handle the way your desktop looks and acts. The greatest thing about linux, which is the enormous amount of choices for how YOU want to do things, is also the greatest downfall of it when it comes to new users.

As far as pros and cons? Linux is free. 90% of the programs for it are also free, and you can download them at will, legally. Most anything you can do in Windows you can do in Linux. The only downfall that I see, and this is the reason I'm running XP right now, is the lack of up to date games. If you don't do much PC gaming, then obviously this is a moot point for you.

Also, if you decide you'd rather stick to Windows, I'd recommend holding off another year if you can and wait for Windows 7 to be released. Don't bother with Vista.

[CeraDigital]

I would do as Nate mentioned above. Run a dual boot system off of a windows computer, that way it gives you a choice, and you can still run necessary programs through your windows OS that are otherwise somewhat disruptive using WINE and Linux.

Kubuntu is top of my list for best distribution of Linux, but if you are familiar with macintosh systems, look into dreamLinux It operates very smoothly, and has a very similar feel and look to OS X from Apple.

The best part about linux is when a new version of it is released, you can update it with a few clicks of the mouse...then viola! Brand new OS!

If you'd like to check out the various distributions through Linux, go to www.distrowatch.com

Have fun!
Andrew

[piper]

Linux is free. And although I've never used it, I would choose it over Winders.

Since Linux is free - what I would do is buy your computer (or build it..whatever) and set up a Dual boot system. That gives you the option to boot into which ever system you're more comfortable in for a particular task.

Unfortunately, dual boot systems aren't as easy to setup on a windows machine as it is on a Mac. If you're looking for compatibility, I'd still say windows wins that area, but products that are being released now are becoming more compatable with hardware/software for Unix/Linux

When I started my job (IT Consultant), I was told to take this: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download burn it to a cd and when you start up your computer, go into the boot screen and choose boot from cd. Don't install it on your computer because unless you have the xp cd, you won't be able to reinstall it. This saves from having to have a dual boot-up system. Having 2 os's installed on your computer as well takes up more space. I'd do that and get familiar, see if you like it or not.

Remember with Unix/Linux based OS systems, there aren't updates for these so you have to wait for a new release for the OS which means reinstalling the OS again after buying it. Mind you, a lot of the Unix/Linux stuff is beta tested WAY more than windows.

That being said, I have windows vista, and I've used it for over a year. I have not had any problems with it so far. There are a lot of updates for it. Currently you are also able to download the beta version for Windows 7 and can be installed on your computer. Someone at work did it and said even though it's beta, he still hasn't had any issues with it what so ever.

In the end, it all depends on what you want to do with your computer.

Man I feel like a geek!

Cheers,

Mike

Sorry for the novel.

[katiadarling]

I'm a Mac girl, but my friend, who does computer stuff for a living, runs Ubuntu and loads it onto anyone's computer who will let him, so that's what I'd recommend. I've used his computer some and it seems pretty intuitive. It's too bad macs are so spendy though, I love ours!

[m00kfu]

Unfortunately, dual boot systems aren't as easy to setup on a windows machine as it is on a Mac.

While it has been a few years since I set up a dual boot system, it has ALWAYS been easy to do with Linux. In fact, most distro's give you the option of setting it up during the installation.

When I started my job (IT Consultant), I was told to take this: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download burn it to a cd and when you start up your computer, go into the boot screen and choose boot from cd. Don't install it on your computer because unless you have the xp cd, you won't be able to reinstall it. This saves from having to have a dual boot-up system. Having 2 os's installed on your computer as well takes up more space. I'd do that and get familiar, see if you like it or not.

I would definitely recommend trying it out using a liveCD before installing it, it'll save you the trouble of messing around with partitioning your drive and resizing things to set up a dual boot. I'm not sure what you were trying to get at with the comment about needing the XP cd to reinstall? Are you talking about reinstalling XP? If you set up a dual boot there's no need to reinstall XP, as it never gets removed...

Remember with Unix/Linux based OS systems, there aren't updates for these so you have to wait for a new release for the OS which means reinstalling the OS again after buying it. Mind you, a lot of the Unix/Linux stuff is beta tested WAY more than windows.

Actually, updates come along on Linux MUCH more often than Windows. Linux works with the idea of every program doing one thing, and doing it well. As such, just about every little task is handled by individual programs in the background. All of these programs tend to be updated fairly often, and security holes tend to be fixed almost instantly. Also, you don't need to reinstall the OS to update base libraries and kernel when new versions are released. Most user based distributions will do this automatically for you.

Please don't take this personally piper, there were just a few misconceptions that I felt the need to correct.

[nixer]

Unfortunately, dual boot systems aren't as easy to setup on a windows machine as it is on a Mac. If you're looking for compatibility, I'd still say windows wins that area, but products that are being released now are becoming more compatable with hardware/software for Unix/Linux

When I started my job (IT Consultant), I was told to take this: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download burn it to a cd and when you start up your computer, go into the boot screen and choose boot from cd. Don't install it on your computer because unless you have the xp cd, you won't be able to reinstall it. This saves from having to have a dual boot-up system. Having 2 os's installed on your computer as well takes up more space. I'd do that and get familiar, see if you like it or not.

Remember with Unix/Linux based OS systems, there aren't updates for these so you have to wait for a new release for the OS which means reinstalling the OS again after buying it. Mind you, a lot of the Unix/Linux stuff is beta tested WAY more than windows.

That being said, I have windows vista, and I've used it for over a year. I have not had any problems with it so far. There are a lot of updates for it. Currently you are also able to download the beta version for Windows 7 and can be installed on your computer. Someone at work did it and said even though it's beta, he still hasn't had any issues with it what so ever.

In the end, it all depends on what you want to do with your computer.

Man I feel like a geek!

Cheers,

Mike

Sorry for the novel.

ive dual booted and ran standalone linux for since right around 96/97. running servers(dns,ftp,opennap), desktop use, routers, you name it.
its advanced quite a bit since then. its getting easier and easier.

as far as dual booting with windows it can be done. personally i dont care for vista and will never puchase or use it. you can dual boot with xp no problems!


compatibility is not the problem of linux its a problem with lazy/cheap companies that dont want to make anything but a garbage product period!
the major issues are usually video cards not supporting opengl(microshaft doesnt use it anymore), winmodems(which rely on your cpu for data processing), some wireless cards(newer or propriety drivers), and some propriety hardware.

the easiest way to dual boot is to add an extra harddrive to your computer they are cheap now or even use a usb key(a big one). you could try a cd based distrobution.


as for updates piper is dead WRONG. linux is the most updated operating system period! no monthly security updates instead sometimes its daily!



if this is something your really serious about trying first thing i would make a list of your hardware and software you use and see if its supported.feel free to message me if you need any help or have problems finding drivers for your hardware.

Bill


oh yea and ive pulled many older systems out of the trash and used it to run linux without issues!