Why I'm Switching to Linux.

S

SpasticTeapot

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
188
Linux and Windows both have their good points. Linux is much more of a hassle to set up, while Windows will accumulate much more "crudware" over time, and has many more virii to deal with.

However, I can definitely say I'm switching to Linux.

Why?

Vista is not going to run very well on my 1ghz Pentium-M. Linux, however, should run on my x40 quite quickly, even with distros released three years from now. Windows XP works surprisingly well (I usually have it crashing constantly), but I doubt it's going to get much more support.

Furthermore, Linux can be made to run on old systems. I can make quite a bit of cash AND help the community by building and selling low-powered machines running DSL, which I'm learning how to use. 10$ in parts can be turned into a 50$ computer that will allow a family to use Gmail and browse the NY Times website, and let their kids do homework.

Will vista do that?

Who cares?

At 150$ a liscense, it's not worth it anyway.
 
Have a cookie! They're fresh :D
Yes, Vista is indeed retarded. Linux is the way of the future in my opinion.
 
linux ftw


DSL is sweet too, good choice


dont forget openoffice on those pc's youre selling!
 
I switched to Linux first on my laptop (IBM T40), then on my home desktop and server. Now I just got a new computer at work and they want me to stay on Windows but I'm trying to fight as much as I can to go back to Linux.

I have Ubuntu running on my IBM T40 perfectly. Way faster than Windows XP.

Pentium M 1.6ghz
1gb ram
60gb 7200rpm hdd

For distro's, DSL is good but heres a few other distro's you might want to look into...

Suse
Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu
Fedora

...and as for software, here's my list of essentials...

GIMP
OpenOffice
GAIM
Firefox
Thunderbird
Gnomebaker
MPlayer
 
Windows xp crashing wouldnt be windows fault, I have never had xp crash in the past 3 years I have owned my 2 xp machines. I can almost 100% say crashing problems are cuased by bad drivers or faulty hardware, which is no fault of MS. You shouldn't get virus's if you arent downloading stupid stuff. No one is forcing you to buy vista, you are fine using xp. Im not trying to be rude here but Im tired of people listing stupid reasons why linux is better. Being faster and costing less are valid reasons to use linux but the rest are stupid. Ms is a business and they need to release new products to make money, all businesses are like this. You do not need to us to validate you if you are switching, no one is stopping you, this post seems to be just a MS bash post to me.
 
SpasticTeapot said:
Furthermore, Linux can be made to run on old systems. I can make quite a bit of cash AND help the community by building and selling low-powered machines running DSL, which I'm learning how to use. 10$ in parts can be turned into a 50$ computer that will allow a family to use Gmail and browse the NY Times website, and let their kids do homework.
Click to expand...

You can do the same with an old version of Windows... although it's probably not what you want.
As far as webbrowsing is concerned, I find that all major browsers these days are real memory/CPU hogs, probably partly because the websites use so much dynamic html, scripting, Ajax, Flash and whatever.
I still have an old Pentium Pro 200 here, which runs Windows 98SE... It's quite fast for office tasks etc, and browsing the web used to be no problem, but the web has changed, so you can't really browse with it anymore, the webpages are just too heavy. And you cannot switch back to an older browser, because the websites just aren't compatible.
Gmail and hotmail/live are especially pages that require quite a decent PC to run quickly, no matter what OS and browser you use.
Playing DVDs is another thing... You'll need a recent CPU and/or GPU to play DVDs, it just takes a lot of resources that older machines don't have.

The PPro has also run as a server with FreeBSD by the way... which is probably quite comparable to linux, very similar OSes, and a lot of stuff is even exactly the same (Apache, KDE, Mozilla/Firefox etc).
I had the same experiences there... It was fine for doing its daily tasks as a mailserver, ftp, gateway, firewall etc. But using KDE on it was way too slow... and compiling code was also very slow, especially with newer projects that used C++ instead of C.

So yes, you can get some use out of old PCs if you use a 'lightweight' OS (usually that just means old and/or stripped of a lot of features), but it won't be a fully functional PC as we know it today.
 
Linux is a great option for people who do not game. It's a shame more people don't use it.
 
oh btw I would like to point out, to the OP, be warned, I noticed you mentioned the ny times website, I believe the ny times page wont allow linux users to view videos, they claim that the operating system is unsupported, even though some video are viewable...........but that being said it seems I can view all the videos now on the ny times site right now on linux, so they may have fixed it, just expect little things like that.
 
I'm not FTW Linux guy, I'll say that much.

However, I feel the need for a more stable environment. Not to mention, as the old men in the South put it, I like to 'piddle'. Linux offers a pretty decent sandbox for that type of activity.

I just really wish the learning curve was a bit smaller. I'm too old to learn new tricks. So be it.

Anyone have any recommended support/"Do it this way, noob" sites?
 
Theodrin said:
I'm not FTW Linux guy, I'll say that much.

However, I feel the need for a more stable environment. Not to mention, as the old men in the South put it, I like to 'piddle'. Linux offers a pretty decent sandbox for that type of activity.

I just really wish the learning curve was a bit smaller. I'm too old to learn new tricks. So be it.

Anyone have any recommended support/"Do it this way, noob" sites?
Click to expand...

depending on the distro, but for ubuntu there is
www.ubuntuforums.org
www.ubuntuguide.org
http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Main_Page
http://monkeyblog.org/ubuntu/installing/
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/

and the gentoo wiki has is a great resource for any distro.
http://gentoo-wiki.com/Main_Page
 
The main reasons I switched to Linux is that it is free, and all the software is free. I was getting really bad with the amount of stuff I was pirating, and switching to Linux has almost completely eliminated it.
 
nah not all apps are free as in free beer on linux. cross over office, cedega are examples of apps that you have to pay for on linux.
 
As I Lay Dying said:
depending on the distro, but for ubuntu there is
www.ubuntuforums.org
www.ubuntuguide.org
http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/Main_Page
http://monkeyblog.org/ubuntu/installing/
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/

and the gentoo wiki has is a great resource for any distro.
http://gentoo-wiki.com/Main_Page
Click to expand...

Very nice.

I'm working on getting my Edgy build logged into my windows domain. I could update the winbinds if I had network, but without access to the network, I cannot do that.

How's that for "Go Learn this BOY!!"

frickin penguin.
 
As I Lay Dying said:
nah not all apps are free as in free beer on linux. cross over office, cedega are examples of apps that you have to pay for on linux.
Click to expand...

Doesn't Cedega require a yearly subscription fee? That's worse than Microsoft even.
 
OP, WTH are you doing to crash windows all the time? The only time I reboot is if I install/uninstall something (assuming it's required). Last time I rebooted was last week and that was the first time in over a month.

I'm not going to argue what OS is best, because the real answer is that it depends what your needs are, but IME, XP is a stable desktop system.
 
Gatticus said:
Doesn't Cedega require a yearly subscription fee? That's worse than Microsoft even.
Click to expand...

yes it does. But these days you don't need it. WINE has progress alot in the last year. So much so that it is out-performing Cedega. In fact there are signs that Cedega is violating the GPL by taking code and using it in Cedega (bugs that didn't use to effect Cedega are now appearing and displaying exactly the same symptons as WINE - Tib Sun mouse bug)

Gaming is very good in Linux, as long as you like FPS (Doom3, UT2#, Quake#) with some great games coming out (UT2007,Quake Wars, Serious Sam2...)
 
Stormscape said:
Have a cookie! They're fresh :D
Yes, Vista is indeed retarded. Linux is the way of the future in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Linux is not the future, it is the present! :) It will take much work to get a linux distro to the point of being a viable replacement for windows on a desktop/laptop, for your average user atleast.

IMO, the biggest problem is education. I am in my 4th year of college (On the 5 year plan), and only now is my university offering a Linux class. It doesn't bother me much, since I can learn what I want/need to know about Linux on my own. However, I think if Linux education stared early (grade school) then more people would use it over windows.

For the most part I think linux is still for the "geeks". That is, it is for people who do not mind playing in the command line, or spending an hour or more to figure out how to get your laptop's wireless card to work.
 
Tweakin said:
Linux is a great option for people who do not game. It's a shame more people don't use it.
Click to expand...

Im sure alot more people would use it, if our games would work, but they dont, so we dont! Thats the main reason I have a computer, the rest is just a bounus.
 
SultanGris said:
Im sure alot more people would use it, if our games would work, but they dont, so we dont! Thats the main reason I have a computer, the rest is just a bounus.
Click to expand...

True enough, but you missed my point a bit. It's perfectly understandable why people who spend a lot of time playing games don't use Linux (or, use it exclusively). It's much harder to understand why the larger percentage of computer users who don't play games have not started using Linux yet. Linux is a champ at communicating, entertaining, researching, working, creating, etc from your computer.
 
acascianelli said:
The main reasons I switched to Linux is that it is free, and all the software is free. I was getting really bad with the amount of stuff I was pirating, and switching to Linux has almost completely eliminated it.
Click to expand...

You got a point. Best way to fight piracy is improving efficiency, and user friendliness of the free softwares.
 
Tweakin said:
True enough, but you missed my point a bit. It's perfectly understandable why people who spend a lot of time playing games don't use Linux (or, use it exclusively). It's much harder to understand why the larger percentage of computer users who don't play games have not started using Linux yet. Linux is a champ at communicating, entertaining, researching, working, creating, etc from your computer.
Click to expand...

I agree, if it wasn't for gaming I would probably use Linux exclusively. But as it is (big gamer), I have two PC's on a KVM with Linux, Win2K and XP. That works best for me but now I'm considering getting a Mac mini too so may need a new KVM that can do up to four computers unless I decide to sell one of my PC's. Choice is good and means I don't have to try and get games running on Linux. I do run some old dos games on it though using Dosbox.
 
Tweakin said:
It's much harder to understand why the larger percentage of computer users who don't play games have not started using Linux yet. Linux is a champ at communicating, entertaining, researching, working, creating, etc from your computer.
Click to expand...

Because the vast majority of users have no interest whatsoever in learning the in and outs of a new operating system - and if they do, they choose something that is percieved to be even more simple, like OS X.

And businesses don't see real alternatives to things like Autocad/Solidworks and accounting/MRP software. And if you need Windows to run that, then why bother with another OS?
 
Tweakin said:
Linux is a great option for people who do not game. It's a shame more people don't use it.
Click to expand...

Its a shame there are people who dont understand why people still use windows.

I use my PC mostly for work, occasionaly games if I have enough free time. Were talking about a desktop pc, used for autocad, videowork, and the occasional Counterstrike. Remember the saying, if its broke dont fix it? If you have some burning urge to try something new, or really do have a need to use a different OS... By all means, go for it. But when someone switches because windows crashes, it gets too many viruses... Switching to linux wont solve user incompentance, it will just escalate it.

Linux are windows are both two different things, and should not be compared to each other in the sense of which is best. You can compare the obvious differences, advantages and disadvantages each have... and thats about it. Each has their unique "qualities", just let it rest.
 
SpasticTeapot said:
Windows XP works surprisingly well (I usually have it crashing constantly), but I doubt it's going to get much more support.
Click to expand...

Windows XP will be supported for a long time. They only recently desupported WinMEss a few months ago.

I use my PC mostly for gaming, web browsing and email. So I stick with Windows. Linux is great as a server platform. While there isn't much support for gaming clients on Linux, its nice that most dedicated game servers are available in Linux.
 
Tweakin said:
True enough, but you missed my point a bit. It's perfectly understandable why people who spend a lot of time playing games don't use Linux (or, use it exclusively). It's much harder to understand why the larger percentage of computer users who don't play games have not started using Linux yet. Linux is a champ at communicating, entertaining, researching, working, creating, etc from your computer.
Click to expand...

Because finding, installing, and using those type of programs can be cryptic and confusing to the average user.
 
Tweakin said:
True enough, but you missed my point a bit. It's perfectly understandable why people who spend a lot of time playing games don't use Linux (or, use it exclusively). It's much harder to understand why the larger percentage of computer users who don't play games have not started using Linux yet. Linux is a champ at communicating, entertaining, researching, working, creating, etc from your computer.
Click to expand...


well, thats becaues the average user buys there computer at a store, or from an online compay, all of which already have windows installed. and your average user, for the most part isnt really all that knowledgable about computers, what they have works great for them, and they have no clue what linux even is, much less how to get it and install it.
 
Theodrin said:
I'm not FTW Linux guy, I'll say that much.

However, I feel the need for a more stable environment. Not to mention, as the old men in the South put it, I like to 'piddle'. Linux offers a pretty decent sandbox for that type of activity.

I just really wish the learning curve was a bit smaller. I'm too old to learn new tricks. So be it.

Anyone have any recommended support/"Do it this way, noob" sites?
Click to expand...
You're NEVER to old to learn! You might want to check out the forums at www.linspire.com There's a lot of Linux guys there, that will bend over backwards to help and you don't even have to sign in for some sections. Linspire is just Debian linux with a windows overlay.It doesn't cost anything to look.
 
GlimmerMan said:
Windows XP will be supported for a long time. They only recently desupported WinMEss a few months ago.

I use my PC mostly for gaming, web browsing and email. So I stick with Windows. Linux is great as a server platform. While there isn't much support for gaming clients on Linux, its nice that most dedicated game servers are available in Linux.
Click to expand...
XP home and MCE2005 will only be supported for another 2 years after the Janurary launch of Vista. XP PRO is supposed to be supported until 2011.
 
All valid points, hell, you can throw a rock and hit a reason for a non-technical user not to switch to Linux. Of course, basically none of those users would be able to switch to Windows from anything else without help from their geeky nephew, coworker, etc.

If both operating systems can do very similar things for the average computer user with no limitations, it's a shame that the open one doesn't get more acceptance. Of course the number one reason for this is the OEM market (touched on above), and the fact that so many of you point out 'figuring out Linux' as a problem. If people had to figure out how to install Windows and get all their updated drivers and software, the world would be run by help desk geeks.

I won't argue the way things are too much though. I just like to point out that Linux is a great alternative for a lot of people and happens to be free.

bob said:
Its a shame there are people who dont understand why people still use windows.
Click to expand...

There are? I think you would have to look deep into the grab bag of zealots to find such a person. :)
 
I switched from XP to DSL recently on one of my laptops and noticed a big improvement. It really seemed to never slow down. I converted to Ubuntu but it just seems bulky and slow.

I'd like go back to DSL but being a Linux newb I found it impossible to install Firefox2 or openOffice. I was very comfortable with the console and everything like that, being a programmer and all, but it just seemed like I was missing files which I didn't know how or where to get. The whole "one file which does one thing and only one thing, but very well" ideology is neat... cept when you can't locate that one file. Anything which came as an RPM I was fine with though. I'll probably go back to XP. Another annoyance is not being able to disable the touchpad on my laptop while typing, I constantly hit it and my cursor sends me typing in some random location.
 
DarthWombaT said:
I switched from XP to DSL recently on one of my laptops and noticed a big improvement. It really seemed to never slow down. I converted to Ubuntu but it just seems bulky and slow.

I'd like go back to DSL but being a Linux newb I found it impossible to install Firefox2 or openOffice. I was very comfortable with the console and everything like that, being a programmer and all, but it just seemed like I was missing files which I didn't know how or where to get. The whole "one file which does one thing and only one thing, but very well" ideology is neat... cept when you can't locate that one file. Anything which came as an RPM I was fine with though. I'll probably go back to XP. Another annoyance is not being able to disable the touchpad on my laptop while typing, I constantly hit it and my cursor sends me typing in some random location.
Click to expand...

there are other lightweight distributions, if however you want to give the ubuntu distros a chace there is xubuntu, and unoffically ubuntu-lite, which have better package management, but should be snappier then gnome on older hardware.

If you don't have older hardware try doing a fresh install of edgy eft, its pretty snappy on my rig.
 
Tweakin said:
There are? I think you would have to look deep into the grab bag of zealots to find such a person. :)
Click to expand...

I have run into a few people, in real life and on the [H] though it is very rare. One person was even trying to tell me its easier for a non-computer person (such as Grandma & Grandpa) to install linux :eek:. Mostly, that line was to counter the "its a shame more people dont use it" quote. The shame isnt in the amount of users, its elsewhere... but I wont go into that today.
 
bob said:
I have run into a few people, in real life and on the [H] though it is very rare. One person was even trying to tell me its easier for a non-computer person (such as Grandma & Grandpa) to install linux :eek:. Mostly, that line was to counter the "its a shame more people dont use it" quote. The shame isnt in the amount of users, its elsewhere... but I wont go into that today.
Click to expand...

plx dont label me a zealot, but umm, depending it can easier to install linux, just as it can be harder.
 
BIGDADDY51 said:
XP home and MCE2005 will only be supported for another 2 years after the Janurary launch of Vista. XP PRO is supposed to be supported until 2011.
Click to expand...

Two years is a long time in technology. Just because there is no support, it doesnt mean XP home and MCE2005 is not useful.
 
Even though I need a Windows install to game, I'd be more than willing to double-boot in order to have Linux as my primary OS. however, I'm the proud owner of a Creative Labs X-Fi and I'd have to give up audio in Linux until Creative does something about the driver situation.

FWIW, I run Linux on my HTPC (MythTV), my HTPC thin client (Fedora Core 5), my wife's desktop (Ubuntu), my laptop (Ubuntu), and dual-boot my work PC (Ubuntu).


Can't wait for the X-Fi under Linux...then it's (mostly) Bye-Bye Windows.
 
cburwell said:
For the most part I think linux is still for the "geeks". That is, it is for people who do not mind playing in the command line, or spending an hour or more to figure out how to get your laptop's wireless card to work.
Click to expand...
bah. installing is easy. configuring hardware that isnt automatically detected can get tricky, but using linux doesnt have to be hard, and you CERTAINLY don't have to be a geek. my parents use linux. these are people who cannot use the dvd player without help. smart people, but not technically minded in the least. they prefer linux to windows.
 
cburwell said:
IMO, the biggest problem is education. I am in my 4th year of college (On the 5 year plan), and only now is my university offering a Linux class. It doesn't bother me much, since I can learn what I want/need to know about Linux on my own. However, I think if Linux education stared early (grade school) then more people would use it over windows..
Click to expand...


I'm going to a small community college, and specializing in Linux/Unix Security and Network Security. They have had these programs for at least 5 years.

But, if I tried to go to a big university for either of these degrees, that would almost be impossible. Interesting that the small guy progresses faster into new fields then the large corporate universities!


-Brandon
 
Is MCE2005 really only going to be supported another 2 years after Vista is released? I've only seen that said about XP Home. I have been thinking of getting MCE2005 because I am considering turning my PC into a multimedia extravaganza but if it's only another 2 years I won't bother.
 
I love Linux as its SO utilitarian. If I need a random password generator, I make one and bash it.

If I need to dig, ping, nmap, it's a command away.

But God do I loathe having a fresh, new, clean Linux install. It takes so long to get the style/look/setup.. Ugh.

I upgraded from 6.06 ubuntu to 6.10.. Haven't used it since because I don't feel like going through the hassle anymore.

Harddrive failure. :rolleyes:

I'm a sysadmin (w2k3), but I use ubuntu on my workstation because it helps me do the 900 things at once I'm required to do.
 
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