A little advice on computers...

[chrismisterx]

Hi all, after reading the \"apple thread\" got me to thinking about my computer.

I have always just used the bog standard microsoft windows system that came with the computer, but I am hearing more and more people trying Linux.

So my question is, whats the difference, is linux really that much better than windows ?

We all know about the problems microsoft has from time to time with windows, but changing systems is that worth it ?

thanks for any adivce and tips and hopefully someone can shed some light on the whole subject for me.

 

[philologus]

I think Linux was the kid with the blanket on Charlie Brown.

 

[matty1001]

Personnally i woundt change to Linux unless you know ALOT about systems and coding. Linux from what iv seen is very flexible as a system, but you have to make it that way by manipulating the code and generally doing clever stuff!
I have no idea about any coding past Apple Script, so i wouldnt change.

 

[Dragonsreach]

As Matty1001 says LINUX does need the ability to understand coding for some (if not all things).

However the Open Source policy is very handy and does have good software available. (Caveat: not all of it is compatible with mainstream commercial items like Microsoft.

And to dispell some of the myths :
Linux does \"fall over\" occasionally, not as often as some Microsoft or Apple products. But it does happen.
There are viruses designed to attack Linux software.

Most linux users in the Personal (ie not Professional) Computer world are Beardy Old Gits who build their PC and include Either Water Coolers or Nitrogen Heat disipators systems in their repertiore, as well as running several Networks in their homes.
Think \"The Simpsons Comic Store Guy\" X 10.

 

[hakoMike]

As an IT professional, I use it at work at times and find it a fine product.

BUT...

If you are the level of computer person who gets on the mini painting forum to ask about Linux, you\'d really be better off sticking to a Mac or Windows. Seriously. No offense intended, but seriously.

 

[No Such Agency]

hakoMike has a point... I\'ve been mucking with Windows systems for many, many years and even I am not keen to try and make Linux work as seamlessly. So... my recommendation is to do some research and learn a bit about what happens when the typical user installs Linux for the first time, as well as which distributions (eg. \"Ubuntu\", \"Debian\" etc.) require the least mucking about to work properly.

Linky: http://www.linux.org/

In the meantime, if your system can boot from a CD, try downloading a KNOPPIX CD image, burning it to a disc and booting from it. It\'ll run Linux completely off the CD without touching your hard drive (actually I don\'t think it can read NTFS) so you can try before you \"buy\". It has a friendly \"window manager\" too - that\'s the windows-like graphical user interface that even hardcore Linux-heads now use.

I think that Linux is a great idea and will continue to gain ground as long as it is not shut out completely by some \"restricted hardware\" scheme cooked up to ensure that only the big dogs get to design software for home PC\'s.

 

[Talonicus]

@ dragonreach

Umm I have 6 pc\'s at home. They are all networked.
I have a server under the stairs which I use to feed music and videos around the house.
My xbox is hooked up to my network, chipped and used as a multi purpose media player.
One pc runs linux as something for me to mess about with.
I have a pda phone which i also hook onto my network wirelessly.

My wife tells me i am a sad geek....... but the comic book guy fits my description too well. I have many many boxes of comics.

I think I really am a geek. Oh dear.

Oh and I paint \" dolls \" to quote my brother in-law.

Nigel

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by Talonicus
@ dragonreach

Umm I have 6 pc\'s at home. They are all networked.
I have a server under the stairs which I use to feed music and videos around the house.
My xbox is hooked up to my network, chipped and used as a multi purpose media player.
One pc runs linux as something for me to mess about with.
I have a pda phone which i also hook onto my network wirelessly.

My wife tells me i am a sad geek....... but the comic book guy fits my description too well. I have many many boxes of comics.

I think I really am a geek. Oh dear.

Oh and I paint \" dolls \" to quote my brother in-law.

Nigel

I rest my case. lol

One of my colleagues has 23 computers (at the last count).
Two Novell networks (Both 3.1)
One NT4 Network
A Windows 2003 Server Active Domain Network.

And he uses this little lot to study for work.
Oh yes he lives at home with his parents.

 

[Rodnik]

Linux has a pretty loyal following in the \"user\" community. It also has a significant implementation base in large enterprise.
In web solutions, there are a large amount of linux/apache/php/mysql style implementations.

That aside, from a personal-use perspective, Linux is \"free\". Which is a pretty nice thing----
Another nice thing is that a Linux distribution can be installed on a machine that has SIGNIFICANTLY less horsepower than what\'s required for Windows. This allows you to use some older machines for a useful purposes, where otherwise they\'d end up on the trash heap.

Just like any OS, there\'s a learning curve, but Linux has GUI capability, and can be relatively user friendly to the more casual person too.

Anyway...here\'s a nice little link to give you some high-level decision-making points:

http://linux.about.com/cs/linux101/a/101guide.htm

If you have the desire to learn a new OS---I say \"go for it\". It just ain\'t that difficult.

Start with the GUI, learn a little command line---become a guru...



Kev