Linux Users ... Give me your input

[HypoPita]

I definitely agree. Linux is great. It would be best to dual-boot it. Basically you partition the hard drive. (but PLEASE!! for the love of god, read up on it if you aren't tech savvy!) What this does, is when you boot up the computer, you have a choice of whether you want to use whatever operating system came on the computer (vista ect.) or whatever distribution of Linux you have.

I dual boot Vista and Ubuntu on my laptop. I hardly EVER use vista...I really hate it. What the commercials don't tell you - its not the initial interface that is horrible, it's when it starts "updating"...restarting in the middle of papers..and just hogging memory compared to Linux.

Another thing to add - I forget if anyone mentioned it, but the installation for a descent amount of programs is a lot different from windows. In windows you kinda just set-it and forget-it. There's a slight bit more "work" involved - in some cases. However, its just a line of text you copy and paste. It's really no biggie.

I can not tell you how great it is to be able to go "you know what...I could really use some video editing software...." and then clicking two buttons- getting opensource software for free. What you want - when you want. It really is awesome. You will really like it.

[piper]

I wasn't saying windows systems can't be partitioned to run both a windows OS and a Linux OS, I'm saying it's not as easy to do with a newer system.

There is nothing wrong in my opinion with vista, I work with a lot of IT people, and IT people tend to be very opinionated, I'm not sure why and none have had problems with it. Some just decided to never get it. Only reason I'm running vista now is because it came with my computer, that's all!

And the updates, I was wrong! Not a big deal.

I've turned this into a debate I see. Apologies.

I'm not a Mac fan myself, I think for the price you pay for a mac, what you can get in a windows machine is ridiculous!

If you are used to Xp, give vista a try, in a nutshell, it is the same, just looks different. Microsoft also does not support xp, it's not Vista and soon to be moving on to Windows 7.

If you are looking for something to browse the net with, upload some picture and do w/e, than you can get a half decent laptop for about $700.00. If you are looking for something more serious, say graphic design, web design etc., you are going to be looking at something around $1500.00 to $2000.00!

Cheers and goodluck! I just purchased a new HP myself.. It's a great laptop!

[brainman1000]

I am about to get a laptop from a friend and will be putting linux on it. Not sure which distribution to use yet. I have used Mandrake AKA Mandriva before and was pleased with it, so may use it again.

[Kristy]

Thank you everyone for your input.

I went ahead and made a Live Cd and tried Ubuntu. I LOVED it. It was so easy, but very different.

I was raised, and taught everything I know on windows lol. So it was a little weird.

I think I may just order my new pc with Linux. However I have a conern.

Are you able to download and play MP3's with Linux?

My husband has a lot of music, and used his IPOD. So I want to make sure that it can be done.

If not, I may just use my old PC with windows for music purposes.

Thanks.

[piper]

I think I may just order my new pc with Linux. However I have a conern.

Are you able to download and play MP3's with Linux?

My husband has a lot of music, and used his IPOD. So I want to make sure that it can be done.

If not, I may just use my old PC with windows for music purposes.

Thanks.

http://basic-linux.bauani.org/2008/0...ng-system.html

All I could find.

[brainman1000]

Are you able to download and play MP3's with Linux?

Of course. You can also view and edit video with free software, and for word processing, spreadsheets, etc. you can use openoffice. It uses the same file extensions as microsoft office products, is compatible with office files, and is free.

[nixer]

xmms is kinda like winamp only not broken
for mp3s youll probally want to look into Lopster
and my ipod works 100% in linux if you set it up right (there is full instructions out there)

[waltah!]

I'm beginning to really like Linux myself. I believe the Banshee music player will sync with an ipod (not touch or iphone). You may wanna look that up though. It's pretty easy to set up a dual boot system to get the best of both worlds. I'm currently using MINT Linux and i'm really enjoying it. I have no hardware issues and everything works. The Compiz effects are fun too! Look it up on Youtube if you aren't familiar. I'm actually ordering a new laptop later this month and i'm either going to dual boot or get one with Ubuntu out of the box.