linux?

[IKu]

i don't know anything about linux. what's so great about linux? what are the major difference from winxp? ... it's an OS, right? i just want to know why people choose linux over windows, what are it's advantages and disadvantages, etc.

[doctorgonzo]

Linux is just an OS. There are thousands of web pages out there that can answer any specific questions you have, so take a look around. As for the general question of why people choose one over the other, there are many reasons:

Why choose Linux:

• It's free!
• It's nonconformist!
• It's not by Micro$oft or Bill Gates!
• I love cute penguins!
• It makes you better than your peers!
• "Linus Torvalds" sounds really cool!
• Unlike Windows, it works!
• Not affected by the Blaster Worm, ILOVEYOU, or other stupid virii, trojans, or worms!
• chmod, grep, and other Linux commands have a really cool, mystery-like sound to them. For all the average person knows, you could be controlling nuclear weapons!

Why choose Windows:

• Inertia!
• You are providing an OS for an office full of people who can barely insert a floppy disk!
• You think Bill Gates is not wealthy enough!
• You like patching systems constantly!
• You want to play more than the three games that come with KDE
• What the @!&%*&$^ is this Linux thing?!

[DarkHorse]

hmmmm....methinks doctorgonzo might be biased.

The main thing is Linux is what's called Open-Source, which means anyone can look at the code and improve upon any flaw they find, as well as create a customized OS to fit an individual need.

Closed-Source means there's a development team tied to a deadline that comes way too fast, resulting in immature and buggy software, which is then sold for a high price to pay the team and make a tidy profit.

Check out the three guides on the homepage, or just do a search for Linux on the web.

[juicelooser]

I like linux because it's easy to run a web server and other servers on. If you're into web developing, you might want to check it out.

[doctorgonzo]

I'm not biased, just facetious.

[fudtone]

I like it because its not as simple as Wimdows. I like to be challanged.

its free

its fast

feature rich GUI's

did I mention its free? and so is 99% of the optional programs you can get for it (yes games too).

[mairving]

The great thing about Linux is it's versatility. It can be like XP with KDE or Gnome. It can be a powerful file, web, application, cluster server. It can be used in PowerPC's. It can be used in electronic devices (TIVO uses Linux).

It is also free as mentioned.

Be aware that it does have a learning curve. Some programs/hardware doesn't work at all. Other programs can be forced into working. Still others offer much better substitutes. Still the thing is to go into Linux expecting things to work the same or as easy as XP.

[Doobie]

Originally posted by doctorgonzo Why choose Linux: It's free! It's nonconformist! It's not by Micro$oft or Bill Gates! I love cute penguins! It makes you better than your peers! "Linus Torvalds" sounds really cool! Unlike Windows, it works! Not affected by the Blaster Worm, ILOVEYOU, or other stupid virii, trojans, or worms! chmod, grep, and other Linux commands have a really cool, mystery-like sound to them. For all the average person knows, you could be controlling nuclear weapons!

So you like cute penguins huh

[ChaosLord40k]

No thats not the best part... study shows (linux.com) and i know as well when i bought RedHatLinux9.0 is that all of the software that comes with Linux is EQUIVELENT to 5,000$'s of M$ products- BUT IF U WANT TO GO LINUX SERIOUSLY GET "SuSE Linux 8.2" its probably the easiest one i've seen so far.

[ChaosLord40k]

O, and u can use it OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN with no activation key!

[IKu]

well i dled red hat and installed it so now i have a couple new questions. fudtone mentioned it was fast, but so far, it feels pretty sluggish in comparison to winxp, in what ways can i make it faster? also, how do i exit "X"? what is a good media player to use? thanks.

[juicelooser]

for a media player, use xmms (http://www.xmms.org)

[LocoCoyote]

to exit X try ctrl+alt+backspace

[Cacstus]

for a media player, use xmms

Is that only for redhat or will it work with other linux versions?

[juicelooser]

xmms will work with other distros as well

[Colonel Sanders]

If I'm not mistaken, when you buy a distro of Linux, because it is open source, your buying the software packaged with it, not necessarily the OS itself.

Anyways, Linux has better RAM management, and there is no need to defrag a hard-drive. Linux systems can run literally forever without being shut-off/rebooted- which will actually save you wear on your PC.

L J