Linux

Don't waste your time with documentation if your a beginner. Every OS has a huge forum with thousands (porbably more) that are ready to help you. I had to get help in there once, and they tell you exactly what to do, step by step. Sometmes you have to use terminal, but it's easier than you think. Usually you only have to copy and paste a few commands and terminal does the rest for you.

For the basic user, who surfs the net, plays games and music/videos, and uses text and spreadsheet programmes without much technical knowledge is it worth getting linux? Is it that easy to use as windows?

I have been installing, configuring, and administering Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, Solaris, and IRIX systems for 7 years.


Which of the games that ran poorly on Vista run better on Linux? Call of Duty 2? F.E.A.R.? Company of Heroes? Madden '07?

Oh wait, none of those games run on Linux at all.



I've been hearing that every year for the past 10 years. However, this is not reality. Linux is not gaining significantly on the desktop. It has a long, long way to go before it is ready for the masses.

Well if you want to play most games, then you're out of luck with Linux. Many people who dual boot Linux and Windows, using Windows to play games. Sometimes a big-budget game like Doom 3 or UT3 will ship for Linux, but the vast majority are Windows-only.

Hummmm Jonny you are honest. I will spend my kudos on you today

wine? I covered these topics, but you seem to be ignoring them and only quoting certain parts.

Wine? Give me a break.

For an average user, getting Wine installed to the point where it can even begin to play any DX9 game is pretty much impossible. And even when you do get to the point of being able to launch a game it sucks compared to running it on Windows.

And DX10? Nope, sorry. No DX10 game will be running on Wine for many, many, many years.

this may be true, but face it. Deap down. If software developers, Game Studios, Computer Manufactuers, Big Companys like Intel, AMD, BFG, ASUS, SEAGATE, IBM, MSI, ext, ext the list goes on. If all these people, designed not for windows, but for linux. Which would be better? Withought hesitation anyone, even the biggest windows fanboy or the most honest programmer would say Linux. Face it, Windows is only so good because if you go to a local computer store you will only find computers with windows on them. Windows - Is promoted - That is the cause of it's success. I don't see why you run that garbage called windows.

from my very very limited knowledge and what i have read here.

the main advantage of linux is its customization.

which means you need to know something about programing (i would guess).
which lets face it, the average (including me) knows little about.

so it would seem linux is pretty much pointless for the average user.

because it is simple.

None of this dreamy philosophical bulls*** helps the person who borks their Windows installation to install Linux and finds out that none of their games work anymore.

Whether I like Windows or not, or whether I think that Linux is a superior system overall or not, is NOT the issue.

The issue is that for the vast majority of computer users, the only advantages to Linux are the philosophical advantages of open source software. To gain that freedom, however, you have to give up many luxuries that you take for granted on Windows.

let me finish that sentence for you.

...and embrace the higher class luxuries of linux, which to the average user, costs a precious extra hours or so, but in the end is all worth it.


I sit here running linux and having so much benefit. Everything has such a better look and feel, I run windows ontop of linux if i want to game or just screw around with windows. (although i can run most games like halo on linux simply). It is so beautiful, what they call Linux.

whats the point of running windows in linux

isnt it better to duel boot?

not only does your computers hardware have to cope with one OS, it has to run 2 OS's, and plus not to metion all the software that both OS's are running,

"Partition" is the word you're looking for.

This argument is going nowhere, I'm going to get something to eat, It's 3PM and I haven't had lunch.

For an average user and especially for Mark I would
propose:
Go to the websites of Opensuse, Mandriva, Redhat and
Ubuntu. Mark if you have trouble to find the sites, you may
pm me, I will give you the reference on were to go.
You will download (and this is important) the LIVE version
of the dvds. It is free if you have a flat dsl. If not it
is convenient to see if in one of the journals you read
there is a cd with a current linux LIVE system on it.
The advantages of a running live system is that you do not
have to install it but it gives you a pretty good idea if
the hardware is compatible with the pc exposed where you
want to buy it. And it allows you to see if you like the
look and feel.
If you play a lot I would reccomand in ANY case a
WinXP/Linux dual partition if you decide to install. I
would currently not invest a penny in Vista. As the thing
goes it is going to be another windows ME and the new
version in three years will kick it out while your XP
support is still running 1 year longer (if they do not
change again idea).
Provided you do have a flat, trying out a Linux install
will give you a cheap idea if you like the idea. Try to
install on a different disk the home directory, a lot of
installation ask you actively to do so.
You should do this with the "documents folder" of Windows
also btw.
You can restore a Windows installation easily (provided you
have it on the same disc) by starting Xp in the revery
console (during setup you can chose this option) and typing
as administrator the password (you HAVE to have a password
as admin so choose one when you install Windows Xp the
first time. You HAVE to install XP before Linux in case of
a dual install.) You type the password and log therefore in as
administrator and then type the command FIXMBR. Windows will warn you
about that the MBR of your disk is of another type (in effect it is
Linux) You say do it anyway and the system is pure Windows again. If
you know how to partition than you
should use about 30 GB and about 20 for Linux (it needs
less, the main thing is the home directory......that is on
another disk).
If you have trouble ask for help. I am on TFS remember?
BTW:
Nobody can tell you which is the right system. You only as
the customer can choose. Before saying no to something "no"
because other people tell you it is pointless......I would
think twice. Important is you like the system.
Whether Linux, Vista, XP, Win2k, MacOsX. Whatever fits your
needs. If you have a lot of problem with virus and do not
play: then pure linux or MacOs. If you play: dual boot
(linux for the net and mail, Openoffice will do also, save
the money for the MS office, try out the Openoffice as
substitute first. You still can buy whenever you wish). If
you are only on games: stay with XP. You like Vista buy
Vista but by my experience wait with it 3 years. Then the
beta phase will be over. Stick to XP instead. Invest the
money in a better hardware (and no, direct X 10 is still
very rare and not integrated in a lot of games). So maybe
better more RAM and a better processor. Ah, whatever they
tell you in the shop: you can never ever have enough of
disk space.......