LINUX???

[Bubbajj]

So, I'm really tired of dropping a hundred bux at least a pop for a microsoft OS that barely works, is a pain to install, and is just a general POS. Who here knows anything about Linux? Is it really as easy as people say or is that just BS. I'd love to be able to run an OS that works for a change that I didn't have to pay out my arse for.

[Motherland]

I installed Linux Ubuntu on my machine.











Then I reinstalled XP.

[nimble]

So, I'm really tired of dropping a hundred bux at least a pop for a microsoft OS that barely works, is a pain to install, and is just a general POS. Who here knows anything about Linux? Is it really as easy as people say or is that just BS. I'd love to be able to run an OS that works for a change that I didn't have to pay out my arse for.

Redhat would be the distro to go for to start off with, and yea it's easy as they say. Just switch \ for / with that one.

[Bubbajj]

I've got XP on any machine that counts but my wife wants me to put together a couple of computers for the kids. They are only 2 and 3 years old so all they would be doing is playing educational games on and off line and going to the kid's websites. I don't want to shell out the bux for the OS if all they are gonna be used for is this. I've used Firefox and find it works fine for a browser. I've also got a machine with Vista on it and I'm finding that Vista is the biggest piece of crap I've ever had the displeasure to experience. As it's not my gaming machine so I thought I'd try to do linux on that one too. I'm beginning to think MS is hiring the mentally challenged as a tax relief effort.

[Meatwad]

I have Linux on a PII-550 mhz computer, but it is running a copy of JNOS for a ham gateway on packet

[Mr No Name]

I have several different distros of linux on different machines, I even have a 486 66mhz machine with 32MB running "DamnSmallLinux".  The home user will find Ubuntu distros a breeze... I like the more masculine look of the Parsix distro.  I use cedega to play aces high on one machine sometimes.

Go over to www.distrowatch.com to find the linux distro that will suit your needs.

[bozon]

For people new to linux I recommend ubuntu as the best distribution. I find it easiest to maintain and it has a huge amount of frequently updated repositories for extra software. The deb package system is easier to work with than red hat's RPM system, especially if you are new to linux and just want a 'click and go' UI.

It may not be "the best" for hard core users, but it gets the job done and does it very well. I prefer it over the other distros even though I am a long time linux user.

The major problem for people switching from windows to linux is that it is not windows. No matter how good the linux distro is, most users have never used, or even seen an operating system other than windows. Microsofts dominance is just that strong. If you have a problem with windows, you just talk to one of your friend or co-workers and someone will be able to fix it for you. If you have a problem with linux it is much less likely you have a friend who knows enough about it. On the other hand, if you are not too lazy, the linux forums already have an answer to almost anything you may want to ask. I find the ubuntu official forums extremely helpful.

Good luck

[gpwurzel]

2nd'd on Ubuntu - there is an app that will allow you to do most anything - might have a few issues getting games etc working - but there is (mostly) always a work around.

Good luck fella,

Wurzel (planning on going open source very very soon)

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Ubuntu is nice although it can't replace windows in all-round tasks.

If you need a computer only for internet browsing and office work then a cheap box and ubuntu will be your answer.

If you need a computer for all-round use including gaming then don't even think about linux.

[Mr No Name]

Gaming with linux isn't so bad using Cedega - even Wine - Although AH2 really does need Cedega.  I have been trying out an ubuntu-based distro called gOS... So far it is pretty cool, has the stability and speed of ubuntu and the 'feel' of Mac OSX 10.5x with a little bit of Vista thrown in.  Take a look at it here: http://thinkgos.com/new/gos-screens.php .

[OOZ662]

is a pain to install, and is just a general POS

Unless you're talking about Vista, this all generally comes from lack of experience or control on the user's side. By the way, see my post in the Hardware & Software forum; you can create an XP SP3 disk that will install without ever having to touch the keyboard.

And, if you're going to retort that you shouldn't need to know anything about an operating system to keep it smooth and efficient...well, I've discovered you need to know much more just to get Linux installed properly in most cases, much less keep it up. It is a great operating system, yes, but there's just too much command line work for me to use.

[Irwink!]

Amidst all the Linux enthusiasm it might be fair to mention the performance degradation running AH II in emulation of Windows via Cedega or Wine vs. XP or even Vista natively. From my experience the performance loss is much greater than XP vs. Vista. There's also the issue of drivers for all hardware from motherboards to USB devices including any game controllers and headsets, vid cards and sound cards. Your stuff might work, it might not. Chances are that you'll have trouble with one or more devices. Yeah, you can get AH to run in most cases with some work but I'll bet the majority of those reading this won't be happy with the results.

Linux is fine for many purposes but Windows noobs need to have their eyes fully open when contemplating taking the plunge. If AH II is your main thing you're much better off sticking with XP or even Vista IMHO. Free isn't necessarily better in all cases. Switching to Linux for the average user is anything but carefree and seamless.

[Bubbajj]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Again, all I want to do is some simple child learning games and the internet. I may put a box together just to experiment with.

[68Wooley]

Linux distro are getting better and more user friendly all the time, but they still require you to get your hands dirty with a bit of command-line stuff every now and then.

If you're OK with that, go for it. If that sounds scary and intimidating, stick with Windows.

Somebody mentioned Red Hat as being a good distribution. It is, but you can't get it unless you pay for a Red Hat support contract. If you want to stick with free distributions, go with Ubuntu. Its probably the best in terms of working out the box and has a pretty helpful community that's tolerant of people asking noob questions.

[OOZ662]

Seeing as Linux legally has to be free, there has to be a way to get it without paying. I'm guessing that you could get it over a torrent off of "that certain website that Skuzzy would bash me for mentioning" and actually not be doing anything illegal.