which OS is the best

[adrianlewis]

I have been using Windows since I could reach a keyboard as a kid for all the computers that I have had. I have never delved in too deep to exploit all the OS potential as i have only recently got involved in software development. I am now quite interested in looking at Linux based systems and wondered if anyone had any views on this OS systems of this world. I have also recently looked at Lindows to see if it would become a useful OS for me as it reaches into both worlds ie: I can use some windows software on the linux system.

I mainly want to find out how easy the systems are to set up and the cost. Also how user friendly are they for the general user and how compatible are they with todays software.

Also if you have any other thoughts about the OS which I haven't mentioned would be great.

Thanks

Adrian

[Dangermouse1]

Firstly I would definately recomend you give Linux a try. I am fairly new to Linux but am enjoying learning about it. In my opinion you should consider dual booting that way you can try Linux and still have Windows as well. Most current Linux distros are very simple to install. Boot from cd and follow instructions the cd will sort out partitions etc for you and load onto spare disc space leaving you with both os if that is what you want.
As far as cost goes it can range from free if you download from net, a few pounds if you buy a Linux mag with one of the popular os free with it or a bit more if you buy the retail box of cd`s.
I started with Mandrake 9 free with mag and now use RedHat9 downloaded from net. I have been impresed with both. The common Linux versions all come with tons of software from games to great office progs.
As for being compatible with todays software the answer is generally no if you mean Windows software. Hope that helps.

[Force Flow]

I'm a new user to Linux, as well. It may take you a little while to get used to how everything is set up. It's similar to windows, but different enough where you actually have think about what you're doing.

[Blakhart]

"You can't learn to swim by standing on the beach..."
Bruce Lee.

[LocoCoyote]

This is one of my favorite subjects!
So please excuse me if I go on a bit ;-)
Asking what OS is best is like asking which car is best…the answer being it depends on what you intend to do with it? Is the car for getting to work? Do you have a big family, are you running races in it, and so on. If you are talking about needing access to mature productivity apps and ease of use, Windows is your answer. If you are looking for the ability to customize and programming or scientific apps then look at a *nix OS. How tied are you to a GUI? If you like the command line then I recommend FreeBSD or Linux (I use RedHat 9 right now, but I have been playing with the Live Eval version of SuSE 8.2 and I like it a lot. I think I’ll go out an get myself a copy!) Now IMHO Linux is going toward being more like Windows, in that GUIs are the defaults and seem a bit more polished. This is a shame, because by using a GUI exclusively, you start getting away from the basics and the actual functioning of the OS tends to get hidden. This is the same thing that happened with MSDOS and Windows. No big deal with DOS though, it never was overly powerful to begin with. With FreeBSD and Linux, much of the power and flexibility is tied to the command line. To understand these OS’s, you must work with the CLI and learn how to do things the manual way.
Bottom line.......
If you love playing with computers and learning how they work, set yourself a dual (or triple like I did!) boot system and play with all the OS's you can find.....then pick the ones you want to use.

[Blakhart]

The foregoing is very valid, but you should start out with a "gui" distro first, unless you are familiar with cmd line operating. Then you can go back and get into the guts (cli or cmd line) of Linux. This is kinda like the move from thermionic electronics (tubes) to solid state. The tube stuff (command line) did for the day. Now we are solid state (gui), and I think this is rational progression, we are, after all, at 2003. Cli-only is good for resource limited systems, and servers that need no gui, and for those who eschew a gui. Me, I like a gui, unless it is a server. My "gui" pick is Lycoris, Mandrake, Redhat, or Debian. In order of prefs...
Have fun!

[LocoCoyote]

I disagree Blakhart. Many tasks are quicker when performed from the command line. It often is a simple matter to type and run a command rather than wadeing through multiple menus. Both the GUI and CLI have their place, but I still think one should learn the basics (commands) before you go to just clicking on things. Now don't get me wrong...A GUI is a great tool and I have nothing against using one, I just think it is important to learn what is happening when you click on that icon.

[Computer Hobbyist]

One thing to keep in mind is that a gui's primary function is to put a pretty face on the OS. A pretty face often obscures the truth within.

[blockcipher]

I have been using Slackware for about 6 months now, sometimes running it with KDE. And I really enjoy working with it. I am using it primarily to learn how to setup a Linux server for Web sites, FTP, etc. So far I have been doing really well. I suggest you try all kinds of operating systems and just stick with the one you feel most comfortable with. Be it:

Lindows
BeOS
Mac
Windows

Have fun with it! And expand your knowledge. Resources on the net are endless.

[LocoCoyote]

Not Bad blockcipher, well said!

[blockcipher]

Thank you!

[jglen490]

Linux is the (best!!) OS, everything else surrounding the core OS is what comprises a distribution (RedHat, Mandrake, Lindows, Suse, etc).

Each distro has its good and bad, weak and strong. It really comes down to very specific requirements on your part and opinion as to which distro is "best".

I like Mandrake -- it worked for me whne RedHat wouldn't and (at the time) Slack couldn't. Don't get me wrong, I've used many distros, including some of my degree with Slackware, and some usage of RedHat.

There are plenty of supporters for each major and mainy of the "minor" distros. The neat thing is you can try almost all of them for next to nothing. Go to a place like http://www.edmunds-enterprises.com/ to get any number of different distros for next to nothing.

On another personla note, I would stay away from Lindows, but purely for philosophical reasons -- I don't like their approach to the Linux world at large. In my opinion they've hung their hat n the M$ hat rack and would rather be there than swimming with rest of the Linux distro makers and users.