Alternative OS

[Eriol]

Please forgive me if this thread has already been created, but I couldnt find one.

Can someone please give me the advantages with going with an alternative OS. I have always used some form of windows b/c everything is compatible with it and its the only thing I know. But I would like to be educated on the other options out there. For example, can Linux play games that windows will run and how about internet explores etc...
thanks

[kosova]

http://www.cptech.org/altos/
http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/LinuxEditorial-Advantage.html

a lot of people are switching towards Ubuntu, I don't know why but they are. The only reason why i stay with MS is because they try to make their products towards dummies, if I can tinker with MS OS's I can figure out what's going on, but Linux, Unix..etc that just seems hard.

Hope the links help

[faulkner132]

Linux, Unix..etc that just seems hard.
This is what I thought (and what MS beats into your head), and after using Linux for 2 weeks it's just as easy (actually easier to get software) as Windows.

Several reason's to switch:
1. Everything is free... and always will be
2. You want to learn something new
3. No Viruses
4. No Spyware

I have been Windows free for about 4 months now at home. I don't miss Windows at all.

[Eriol]

where is a good place to get linux from?

[doctorgonzo]

where is a good place to get linux from?

http://www.linuxiso.org/ has all the distros for downloading.

[rspassey]

Several reason's to switch:
1. Everything is free... and always will be
2. You want to learn something new
3. No Viruses
4. No Spyware


1) Never say always, but for the time being, *most* distros and software are free

2) This is very true, learning linux may seem complicated, but it is no longer just for geeks and many distros are rapidly becoming more user friendly

3/4) While it seems that there are no viruses/spyware for linux, this isn't entirely true. Linux can be a more secure OS, but they still have their vulnerabilities.
Here is a list of a few linux viruses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_computer_viruses), and while the list is much shorter than viruses for Windows, linux is not 100% secure (nor is any OS).

[faulkner132]

1) Never say always, but for the time being, *most* distros and software are free
Yes, it will always be free. The GNU License Agreement guarantees this.

3/4) While it seems that there are no viruses/spyware for linux, this isn't entirely true. Linux can be a more secure OS, but they still have their vulnerabilities.
Here is a list of a few linux viruses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_computer_viruses), and while the list is much shorter than viruses for Windows, linux is not 100% secure (nor is any OS).
An OS is only secure as its administrator. These viruses look like they are only effective if you run the system logged in as root, or you intentionally install the software. The first thing you learn with Linux is you NEVER run as root. This is why Windows is so vunerable, it allows any program to run with user rights (in 99% of cases, Administrator). If you intentionally install software... well there is nothing any OS can do about that.

[Eriol]

Are almost all programs that are compatible with windows compatible with Linux and does anyone have any recommendations on which distro to use? How about IE?

[doctorgonzo]

Are almost all programs that are compatible with windows compatible with Linux and does anyone have any recommendations on which distro to use? How about IE?

Um, no. No windows programs are directly compatible with Linux. Linux is a completely different OS, like Mac OS. However, while Windows programs aren't compatible, most of the time Linux comes with something that does the job better. IE isn't compatible (nor is any M$ program), but you have Firefox. No M$ Office, but OpenOffice works.

There is a project called WINE which is trying to create a Windows Emulator for Linux, but compatibility is still sketchy.

[WolfPac_Ite]

You always have VMWare, but the thing about it is it emulates the entire OS as if it were running, meaning it will take up extra everything instead of just emulating the essentials for playing games.

[faulkner132]

Are almost all programs that are compatible with windows compatible with Linux and does anyone have any recommendations on which distro to use? How about IE?

I would recommend reading this post:
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=149233

Just to make sure your expectations are set correctly, Windows and Linux are 2 different paradigms of computing. WINE is an option and, from experience, is quite stable (see tested programs: http://www.winehq.org/), but if you must run Windows programs, I wouldn't recommend switching... you will quickly get frustrated.

[LocoCoyote]

Um, no. No windows programs are directly compatible with Linux. Linux is a completely different OS, like Mac OS. However, while Windows programs aren't compatible, most of the time Linux comes with something that does the job better. IE isn't compatible (nor is any M$ program), but you have Firefox. No M$ Office, but OpenOffice works.

There is a project called WINE which is trying to create a Windows Emulator for Linux, but compatibility is still sketchy.


CrossoverOffice (using wine, which has come a very long way from the days it was "sketchy") runs IE on linux fine. But why would you want to? There are so many better web browsers out there.

Some linux distros cost..but very few. even the ones that do charge, are worth the cost.