Thinking about getting Linux.

[Punked Out Comp]

Well, hopefully soon I'll be building a new computer. My first thought would be to get WinXP, because its the most popular with the most support, and I'm used to windows (I currently have win2k). However I know that almost no install works as smoothly as it should on windows systems, theres almost always a problem; I've heard that Apple and *nix are much easier to use once you get used to them; and there is less spyware and the like for Linux, simply because not as many people devote their time to writing it. I don't want to get an Apple OS, because I can't build a MAC, and out of the *nix OSs, Linux is the most popular, and therefore would have the most support.

My question is, is Linux just as good as windows for internet, gaming, word processing, and all the other things that windows is generally used for?
Also, can I use mozilla on Linux, and are there any popular games that dont work on Linux but do work on Windows?

Is there any other reason that I shouldn't go for Linux. Is windows more user friendly, and do I need to under stand alot more technical stuff for Linux, because most of my knowledge is in hardware, not software.

[doctorgonzo]

Linux is good for Internet, word processing, and e-mails. You can use OpenOffice.org, Firefox, Thunderbird, GIMP, and other software on it. However, it is not good for gaming. Most games do not come in Linux versions, so if you are a big gamer, the best you can do is have a dual-boot system.

[Punked Out Comp]

Dual-boot?

[edfair]

One computer. Two operating systems. Choose one at the beginning. It boots to the section of the hard drive associated with it.

There is no interchange of files between the separate sections in this suggested method.

[rightcoast]

Punked, I have been tuining on quite a few people to Ubuntu and Mepis Linux. Either one is almost fool-proof in their hardware detection and have easy package updating and program install methods (the hardest part for someone just starting to use Linux, as it's usually the first issue they come across).

[ComputerNut]

Originally Posted by rightcoast Either one is almost fool-proof in their hardware detection and have easy package updating and program install methods (the hardest part for someone just starting to use Linux, as it's usually the first issue they come across).

Yeah, you got that right, rightcoast! Ive just completed my dual boot of XP and Mandrake 10.1 the other day. Only big issue I havent quite sorted out is the sound drivers.

CN

[Punked Out Comp]

I dont see much point in having windows and Linux. If I'm getting Linux, is there any operating thats just as easy to use and it's strength is gaming?

[SonicVanguard]

Originally Posted by Punked Out Comp I dont see much point in having windows and Linux. If I'm getting Linux, is there any operating thats just as easy to use and it's strength is gaming?

No Linux distribution fits that bill. If you want to game, you've no choice but to either dual-boot with WinXP or just use WinXP.

Linux's real strength is in video editing and motion graphics. Most Hollywood studios are using Linux now for complex renderings - LOTR, HG2G, SWep3 - all rendered in Linux (not to mention 100's more). But there just aren't games written for Linux. The gamers market revolves around Windows - so that's where publishers focus.

[Punked Out Comp]

Ok then, how do I control what is installed on which operating system

[Urban Earth]

Whichever OS you boot with will have complete control over its own area. IE if you start up XP then install a program, it will be available every time you run XP. If you get software that is cross platform compatible, you would have to boot to the other OS, install again and carry on.
Dual booting is actually a really good way to become familiar with another operating system. If you need to do something quickly, you use the system that you are more familiar with. When you have more time to experiment you fiddle with the new stuff.

AJ

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Originally Posted by Punked Out Comp Ok then, how do I control what is installed on which operating system

I don't get that statement, but I will give input from the begining.

There is no Distro made for games, although some games now support Linux upon shipping(Didn't UT2K4?).

Linux and gaming rarely coincide, but if they do they Wine is close to follow. Wine, and WineX, are used to run Windows programs on Linux. For the most part they lack the ability to do so with sufficent speed and ability to play games(I doubt you will see D3 anytime soon), but some work well enough that it isn't worth complaining about. The game datebase's are here(For wine. Games with a rating of 4 and 5 are your best bets. Lesser means they will probably not be worth playing as far as I know. To slow. Worth a try though.) and here(WineX). I thought you had to pay for WineX, I can't quite find out whether or not that is true at the moment, and I am to lazy to really look.

Linux, while lacking in some compatibilty with some things, overall the newer distro's are developing nicely. I hope printing has gotten better, as when I played with Linux it was laughable. CUPS. Kinda sucked. I tried Ubuntu recently and it recognized my ethernet, which all others failed to do right upon starting, so that shows obvious improvement in the driver database from when I did the most of my delvings. Internet, Music(athough if you have DRM music then it might be worth checking compatibility), general work, they all work wonderfly on Linux. Without Spyware and Virus infestations as well!

The point of virus writers not doing them as much for Linux because of the fact of a smaller base of users is correct in part, but Linux also doesn't have users run with unlimited/admin access like windows does by default(well, they didn't when I used them), and thus the abilities of the virii are somewhat hindered as far as I know.

Windows is more user friendly; you know it, you live with it, and everyone around you can help you if you have a problem. Linux takes time to setup in some cases, and it's smart to be able to understand at least some of uses of the command line, which takes learning of commands and their uses, there are less people to help you(although the ones there also know what they are doing in my opinion, whereas in the Windows world, anyone who has opened the command prompt and pinged something can consider himself/herself a 1337 masta and most will follow in that idea), and it's just different. It's also something of a comitment as you have to search for programs that mimic what you had on Windows. Word=>OpenOffice. MusicMatch/iTunes/Winamp=>XMMS. Here is a good list of Linux and Windows program equivilents.

I would say at least try Linux, as it is fun to tinker around with new things and expand your knowledge. Immediate results may be a little less likely, but I think it's worth trying at least once.

Here you can find some info about compatibility of hardware if you are worried. If the distro you want to use has a LiveCD then you can try that and test your internet, sound, and all that from there. That's easier.



In referance to your question I quoted above, do you mean how do you control which apps will be installed on Windows and on Linux? They are completely independent of eachother. Linux will see the Windows partition(s) as a seperate drive. Windows will see Linux partitions as an unknown filesystem. What you do to one doesn't affect the other.

Hope some of this made sense. I am tired. Do try Linux at least. Few people have spent any time on it and then mindless bashing and such can happen(think Mac's here).

[Dangermouse1]

I would also recomend you give it a try. When I first tried Linux I dual booted with both OS on the same drive and used windows for most stuff until I had worked out how to do the same thing with Linux. Now I still have windows and Linux (SUSE 9.2 at the moment) on one drive and have another drive which has Ubuntu on it at the moment. I have found Linux can be quite addictive and the second hd is there so I can work my way through all the Linux disros that I want to and still have a windows and Linux setup how I want it. I hardly ever use windows at home anymore but then I am not into gaming at the moment but if I ever feel the need thanks to pc mech I have built my son a great gaming system.

[glc]

If you think you might want to play with Linux, why not just stick it on your old computer? We already know it won't game, so you don't need a powerhouse. You could hook up both computers on a KVM switch.

[Punked Out Comp]

Because my old computer is my family computer, and I'd still like to use linux for other tasks that might need some power. For example SonicVanguard said Linux's real strength is in video editing and motion graphics, and I might do some of that, therefore I need a more powerful machine.


It would seem kind of pointless for me to get windows XP or any other winOS because I would be using Linux as my main OS and then windows for just gaming, so all the other things Windows can do would already be done with Linux, so they would be redundant as well as a waste of money. So is there any OS that's best or main use is for gaming?

[rightcoast]

So is there any OS that's best or main use is for gaming?

I'll quote SonicVangaurd:

No Linux distribution fits that bill. If you want to game, you've no choice but to either dual-boot with Win XP or just use WinXP.[

and ZeratulsAvenger:

There is no Distro made for games, although some games now support Linux upon shipping(Didn't UT2K4?).

And then, give my answer. Windows XP.

IMO it's main strength is gaming, as I become more and more familiar with Linux, I use Windows less and less. At this point, I don't even care to use it anymore. I still do for work though, it makes supporting end users easier being able to slave a drive in and scan it, etc...

This is it in a nutshell: There is nothing that XP does "better" aside from play games and DVD's out of the box IMO. Hardware support maybe, but it isn't that it isn't supported, just not automatic sometimes with Linux. CSS encryption makes it impossible to play them on an "untweaked" system. While technically illegal, I feel I am compromising no morals getting a DVD to merely play on my system. So as not to offend Mods and anyone else I will leave it at that with a link on why they don't play:
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5456

A Google search for DVD's on Linux should give you all you need to know.

You should try it, just setting it up, you will likely learn more about uncomplicated things like dhcp and refresh rates. Touching on a point above, there is one Linux distro that runs at Root by default, Linspire. That along with the fact it isn't free, means you should discount that one. I suggest the two distros I mentioned above, though opinions may vary. I find them the easiest to use for newbs, meaning they detect hardware automatically almost every time. (That most distros don't always do that is what most people mean say when they say "Linux is hard").

[Punked Out Comp]

Will games work if I get CrossOver Office? It was in a tip a the day.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Ok. Stick to Windows. If you want to put Linux on there just so you don't have to pay 99 bucks and you can still play all your games, then stick to Windows. Linux would probably take to much time and effort to set up anyways. CrossOver Office might, but it is still a sort of emulation of a Windows environment... you won't achieve the speed of a program in COO that you would in Windows.

If you are trying this hard to get games going, then Linux will disapoint you when a new one comes out that isn't runable on Linux, or will run really slowly.

Windows.
(This coming from a Pro-Linux person, but you aren't going to be happy with Linux if we have to shove you into using it and into buying COO or something to play windows games.)

EDIT: You could try the trial and see if it works, but that means you still have to install Linux.

[Punked Out Comp]

I guess I'll just dual-boot, I still want linux for everything else, so I'll use linux as my main OS, but I'll use windows for games.